Panthers look to repeat state appearances

Last season, the Panthers boys wrestling program posted a 20-2 record including the titles of Hawkeye 10 Dual Champions, Hawkeye 10 Tournament Champions, District Champions and State Dual team qualifiers, fifth place. They took first at the DCG, Riverside, Dewitt “Saber,” Ottumwa and John J Harris Invitationals.

The success was topped with eight individual state qualifications, and two individual state medalists.

Despite the magnitude of their success last season, coach Cody Downing is confident this year can be even better.

“I really think this team knows we have a chance to go further in the dual hunt,” Downing said. “We need to get over the football hangover a bit. We’re still a little beat up. We can make a run and do a lot of damage at individual state.”

Seniors

The team will be led by its group of 11 seniors, compared to five from a season prior.

“I feel great about that,” Downing said. “The young guys feed off that energy. Kylen [Parsons] and Lane [Travis] watch guys like Austin [Evans] and Will [Bolinger].”

Seniors Christian Ahrens and Austin Evans landed on the podium last season in eighth and seventh places, respectively.

Other returners with experience at the individual state tournament are Lincoln Keeler, Max Chapman, Will Bolinger and Quinten Fuller.

Eight of the 11 seniors and three sophomores competed at the state duals last season.

“Everybody’s had some experience,” Downing said.

Starters

Down the stretch, wrestlers may move from one weight class to another, but the beginning of the season lineup has been ironed out for their first tournament Saturday at Dallas Center Grimes.

The first three weight classes should stay the same as last year with sophomores Kylen Parsons and Lane Travis filling the 106 and 113 classes while Ahrens holds down 120.

Lincoln Keeler, a state qualifier last year at 126 will start this season at 132, leaving the 126 spot for sophomore Brodrick Phelps.

Though Phelps compete at the duals last year, he had starting time early in the season while Keeler was unable to wrestle.

“He’s at a plug in and play kind of weight,” Downing said. “I think he’s going to sneak up on some people.”

At 138 is senior Brandon Briley. In a similar scenario, Briley didn’t compete in the duals last year, but started the season at 138 while Evans was sidelined with an injury.

Senior Carson Rieck will be a new face for the team at 144.

“I’m really happy for him, he’s had three years of really working his tail off,” Downing said. “He’s getting his chance now to be in the line up.”

Up a couple weight classes from last year, Evans will start the season at 150, but Downing said he could slide down to the 144 weight class after Christmas.

“We’ll see how he feels,” Downing said. “I think he’s going to go to the weight class where he thinks he could be in the hunt for a state championship.”

At 157 and 165 will be senior returners Milo Staver and Will Bolinger, each up a weight class from last season. Both competed at the state duals and Bolinger made it to the individual tournament.

Sophomore Kal Barber will be the other new face in the lineup, a sophomore looking to start the season at 175. He earned the spot over Ethan Holliday, but either could fit into that role.

While senior Jagger Luther is out with a high ankle sprain from the state football semi-finals, sophomore Gunner Martwick will wrestle at 190.

Seniors Quinten Fuller and Max Chapman will remain in the two heavy weight classes.

The Hawkeye 10 has gotten stronger this year - Glenwood, Atlantic, Lewis Central and Shenandoah all looking to compete with the Panthers.

“Our non-conference schedule will allow us to see a good portion of the state,” Downing said. “We will be battle tested for regional duals.”