The Iola Mustangs celebrated senior night with a dual victory over the Fredonia Yellow Jackets thanks to a few timely wins from unfamiliar faces.
Looking to get some of his younger wrestlers some time on the mat, coach John Taylor’s multiple gambles paid off in Thursday’s 42-17 victory.
“We moved a lot of people around. We got B.J. in a match and also Isaiah for the first time this year,” Taylor said. “Everybody wrestled well, even guys who wrestled up in weight or were considered JV. They went out there and wrestled well.”
Sophomore B.J. Seance, 175 lbs., got the Mustangs rolling with a second-period pin of Fredonia sophomore Bentley Ratzlaff (3-1). In the 132 lbs. weight class, senior Trapper Boren made quick work of freshman Charley Ecton with a first-period pin.
“It’s pretty exciting. I’ve been here since I was 12 years old,” Boren said. “I feel pretty good. Tonight is not as hard as I wished it could have been, but that’s alright. I feel good about my performance throughout the season.”
Trapper Boren, Iola senior, looks to the referee to call for a pin while picking up a win during Thursday’s senior night dual against Fredonia.
Although coming out on the losing end of his match, senior Harley Blankenship, 138 lbs., said he feels good about his performance against Lucas Anderson. Due to both wrestlers trading near-fall points and reverses, Blankenship came out on the wrong end of a technical-fall.
However, considering he is a first-year wrestler keeping up with seasoned veterans, even a loss can feel like a win on some nights.
“I’ve come a long way, learned a lot of new things and grown as a person,” Blankenship said. “I think I could have won that match. It is what it is, but I enjoy the progress more than the result at the end.”
Moving up a weight class this week, junior Ruger Boren, 144 lbs., took his match 4-2.
The upset of the night may have come from sophomore Isaiah Geisler, 157 lbs. Making his varsity debut, and trailing 8-2 after the second period, Geisler hit a reverse, then found a half-nelson for his first varsity win. At 165 lbs., junior Kale Pratt ended the night with a 4-2 victory.
Following this weekend’s tournament in Fredonia, the postseason begins with the Pioneer League Tournament in Burlington. The girls regional tournament takes place Feb. 13 at Tonganoxie High School. The boys regional tournament is Feb. 21 in Paola. Only the top four placers at each regional qualify for state. The 4A state tournament is at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina Feb. 28 and March 1.
“This weekend is our last tournament, then the postseason starts,” Taylor said. “I know we work hard, but it’s time to ramp it up and get ready to go. A lot of these guys and girls have high expectations for where they want to end the year, and I have to do my part to get them there so they can do their part.”
FOR THE GIRLS, senior Gabriel Briggs did not have an opponent to wrestle, but she was recognized before the dual.
“It’s been pretty good. I’m enjoying it,” Briggs said. “I’m just trying to get better, and I have a lot of room for improvement.”
Harley Monroe, IHS wrestling senior team manager, was also recognized. As a manager, she helps maintain the mats and Coach Taylor considers her a vital part of the team.
“She does not realize how important she is to this team,” Taylor said. “She has done a lot of work for me this year. She was a manager last year, but this year she took a bigger role. She keeps everything organized, clean and is always asking how she can help.”
