Trojan boys win key H-10 dual

For the better part of two decades, Creston and Atlantic have taken turns as king of Hawkeye Ten Conference boys wrestling.

While Lewis Central appears to be in the mix this season, Atlantic took a big step forward in the 2024-25 race with a 43-32 win on Creston’s senior night on Thursday.

The Trojans have a strong group of returnees led by state placewinner Aiden Smith and heavyweight Evan Sorensen, who missed out placing at state last year in a consolation loss to Creston’s Max Chapman. Also, 126-pounder Braxton Haas won 41 matches last year.

Creston is in a rebuilding mode early this season after heavy graduation losses from last year’s dual state championship lineup. That was apparent early Thursday as the Trojans opened with a 15-0 lead.

With Smith being ranked second in the state at 138, Creston coach Cody Downing bumped state qualifier Brodrick Phelps up to 144 and Colby Brammer up to 150 in hopes of getting some points back. Atlantic’s Kalvin Hayes and Jayden Harter thwarted that plan with decisive wins by a major decision and technical fall after Smith pinned Panther sophomore Joshua Bunz at 138.

“One-fifty is kind of a work in progress for us, so with Smith being their best wrestler at 138, we moved Phelps and Brammer up in hopes of trying to conserve some team points and maybe gain some,” Downing said. “It didn’t work out, but is probably ended up being a wash. Hayes is good, Humboldt barely beat Atlantic in their tournament last weekend and Hayes won his weight class. Phelps is only in his second year of varsity. We’re just so young or inexperienced at some weights and Atlantic is really good. I think they’re the favorite to win the dual team conference, but it will be interesting when they meet Lewis Central. Even in some losses tonight, we fought and wrestled hard.”

After falling behind 15-0, Creston won three of the next four matches behind Jackson Pettegrew (157), Kal Barber (175) and Gunner Martwick (215) to pull even at 21-21.

Atlantic closed the dual by winning four of the last six matches to secure the rivalry win. Earlier, the Trojans defeated Red Oak 57-18, and Creston finished with a 59-21 win over Red Oak.

A southwest Iowa media outlet had published a preview of the conference including a projection of Creston tied for eighth place with Clarinda, one spot behind Red Oak, based on returning conference placewinners and state qualifiers.

“Our message between meets was that it (Atlantic loss) will still a little less if we go out there and take care of business against Red Oak,” Downing said. “Red Oak was picked ahead of us in the conference and that’s on our wall in the room. Atlantic and LC are clear-cut favorites, but I really think it’s wide open after that.”

A trio of Panthers won twice by falls Thursday — Kylen Parsons (120), Kal Barber (175) and Gunner Martwick (215). Lane Travis won by fall and a technical fall at 132 pounds. Jackson Pettegrew won by fall and a 14-11 decision.

One of the highlights from the Red Oak dual in Downing’s viewpoint was actually a loss, in overtime. Red Oak senior state qualifier Adam Baier prevailed 4-1 with a sudden victory takedown against Weston Trapp with 11 seconds left in the first sudden victory period. Until that point, each wrestler had only managed an escape, although Trapp had been closer to scoring a takedown twice near the edge of the mat. Trapp is a senior, but has not wrestled since middle school.

“Baier is really good, we have never beaten him,” Downing said. “I thought Weston had a couple takedowns that should have been called. Every match out Weston gets a little better. He’ll be right there by the end of the year.”

Two champs Saturday

The Panthers placed fourth in the Riverside Invitational with 165 points Saturday in Oakland. The host Bulldogs topped the 15-team field with 208.5 points and eight finalists.

Creston champions were Ben James (113 pounds) and Lane Travis (132). Brodrick Phelps was runner-up at 138 pounds.

Five others in the top four were Kylen Parsons third at 120, Weston Trapp third at 165, Colt Key fourth at 106, Colby Brammer fourth at 144 and Jackson Pettegrew fourth at 157.

Atlantic 43, Creston 32

138 — Aiden Smith (Atl) pinned Joshua Bunz (Cr), 0:45. 144 — Kalvin Hayes (Atl) major dec. Brodrick Phelps (Cr), 10-0. 150 — Jayden Harter (Atl) tech fall Colby Brammer (Cr), 18-1 (5:44). 157 — Jackson Pettegrew (Cr) dec. Dreven Smith (Atl), 14-11. 165 — Weston Trapp (Cr) pinned Roland Hinman (Atl), 0:35. 175 — Kal Barber (Cr) pinned Callan Kluever (Atl), 0:27. 190 — Donovan Hedrington (Atl) pinned Jayden Myers (Cr), 2:27.

215 — Gunner Martwick (Cr) pinned Travin Thomas (Atl), 3:03. 285 — Evan Sorensen (Atl) pinned Drake Wilson (Cr), 0:27. 106 — Keaton Schroeder (Atl) tech fall Colt Key (Cr), 17-1 (2:25). 113 — Collin Harris (Atl) tech fall Ben James (Cr), 21-3 (4:21). 120 — Kylen Parsons (Cr) pinned Mason Betts (Atl), 0:52. 126 — Braxton Hass (Atl) pinned Landen Lillie (Cr), 3:27. 132 — Lane Travis (Cr) tech fall Carter Hadley (Atl), 16-1 (4:44).

Creston 59 Red Oak 21

144 — Kyler Sandholm (RO) pinned Joshua Bunz (Cr), 2:49. 150 — Colby Brammer (Cr) pinned Caleb Ranson (RO), 3:40. 157 — Jackson Pettegrew (Cr) pinned Jackson Perdue (RO), 1:03. 165 — Adam Baier (RO) dec. Weston Trapp (Cr), 4-1 SV. 175 — Kal Barber (Cr) pinned Curtis Jackson (RO), 1:08. 190 — Tyler Schofield (RO) Jayden Myers (Cr), 3:03. 215 — Gunner Martwick (Cr) pinned Oliver Dykes (RO), 0:41.

285 — Nolan Perrien (RO) pinned Drake Wilson (Cr), 1:02. 106 — Colt Key (Cr) by forfeit. 113 — Ben James (Cr) pinned Izic Zarate (RO), 2:33. 120 — Kylen Parsons (Cr) pinned Brandon Zamarron (R), 0:52. 126 — Landen Lillie (Cr) by forfeit. 132 — Lane Travis (Cr) pinned Dayton Gusman (RO), 3:13. 138 — Brodrick Phelps (Cr) tech fall Carson VanScoy (RO), 15-0 (2:00).