GARNETT — Kale Pratt experienced a little bit of everything on the wrestling mat Saturday at the Anderson County Invitational.
Scuffling in his first match of the day, a hard-fought bout against Angel Cordova of Frontenac, Pratt appeared headed for a tough, extra time loss.
But a stunning reversal with less than 10 seconds left in the match gave Pratt a one-point victory.
Pratt was building toward a second straight win, dominating Issac McAvoy of Pleasant Ridge through the first two periods, leading 11-2 in points, but he could not escape from the bottom position to start the third round. McAvoy prevented Pratt’s escape attempt, and suddenly had the upper hand, pinning the Iola freshman 35 seconds into the period.
“After that match, we had a little talk about what I expect, and what he should expect to be as a varsity wrestler,” Iola head coach Jason Bates said. “Kale, being a freshman, is new to the varsity element, and it’s a lot different when you’re used to wrestling guys your own age. Now, he’s going up against juniors and seniors.”
The pep talk paid off.
Pratt cruised through his next three matches in the 150-pound division before bowing out in the championship match to AJ Schaffer of Anderson County.
He was joined on the medal stand by senior teammate Korbin Cloud, who took second in the 144-pound division. Cloud steamrolled his way through the early going, pinning all four of his opponents in the first round to set up a berth in the championship match.
But like Pratt, Cloud’s luck ran out when he lost against Cherryvale’s Reyce Booe.
That did little to diminish the strong performance, Bates said, noting both Booe and Schaffer were state qualifiers for their respective schools in the 2022-23 season.
“Korbin and Kale did really well,” Bates said. “It’s no coincidence they’re practice partners. They both push each other so well. They’re putting in the work.”
Iola’s other two varsity wrestlers, Ruger Boren and Evan LaCrone, had a particularly busy weekend. On Friday, they were among a contingent of junior varsity wrestlers who traveled to a competition at Santa Fe Trail.
“They had a long day Friday, and they didn’t get back until after 10,” Bates said. “I’m not gonna make excuses, but they’re both a little tired, a little worn out and beaten up.”
SPEAKING of Santa Fe Trail, Iola freshman Zoie Hesse, the lone female on the IHS wrestling roster, also was there to compete in the varsity girls competition.
Hesse pinned both of her opponents to win the 170-pound B division.
