17 Metro wrestlers win state openers
DES MOINES - Seventeen wrestlers from Metro schools won their opening-round matches at the Class 3A state tournament Thursday in Des Moines and advanced to the quarterfinals on Friday.
The Prairie Hawks finished with a 5-3 record in the first round with Conrad Braswell (106), Marcus England (113), Sam Uthoff (132), Morgan Hood (152) and Taylor Mehmen (195) all advancing. Tyler Pasker (220) lost in the first round, but bounced back in a consolation match and stayed alive in the tournament. Trenten Wennermark (126) and Alex Heisdorffer (285) dropped both of their matches for the Hawks and were eliminated.
Prairie is tied for third place in the team standings with 19.5 points with Johnston and West Des Moines Valley. Fort Dodge leads the Class 3A standings with 31 points, with Southeast Polk second at 28.
The Kennedy Cougars had an impressive day in the opening round with Nolan Hromidko (126), Logen Rodriguez (152), Ben Sarasin (160), Garrett Kubovec (170) and Dalles Jacobus (220) all prevailing in the Round of 16. Kennedy is tied for ninth in the team standings with 14 points after going 5-for-5 in their openers.
The Jefferson J-Hawks went 2-2 in the opening round with Joseph Sibomana (113) and Kyle Briggs (152) advancing. Brenden Baker (120) and Nick Dreckman (182) lost in the first round, but won in their wrestle-back to stay alive. The J-Hawks are in 17th place in the standings.
The Xavier Saints went 2-1 in the opening round with Clint Lembeck (138) and Josh Gerke (145) collecting pins. Keegan Schultschik (120) lost in the first round, but won his wrestle-back. The Saints are in 21st place.
