Panther boys contend during 'rebuild'

If this defines a rebuilding season for Creston boys wrestling, then head coach Cody Downing considers the program to be in good shape.

At the team awards banquet held March 20 in conjunction with the girls program, Downing began his summary of the 2024-25 season by noting that expectations were low for the team coming off the graduation of 11 seniors (including nine starters) from the Class 2A dual state championship team that also finished fifth in the traditional individual tournament.

“I think people wrote us off for this year, not expecting much from this team,” Downing said. “I never really felt that way. We saw a lot of our kids at summer camp and practices, and I thought we had some kids that could be competitive. I knew there would be some times of frustration that you have with a young team, but I never felt like the effort or the desire to win were not there. We were hopeful that we could put a team together that could fight and compete.”

Downing said every time there was a low point in the season there was a positive rebound, citing the Ottumwa Invitational and the Hawkeye Ten Tournament as examples.

“It was a season of ups and downs, but we showed we could be competitive,” Downing said. “Fourth place at John J. Harris, third place in the Hawkeye Ten duals and Hawkeye Ten tournament, second place in the district, regional dual qualifiers and 15-6 dual record. If that’s what our low season looks like, I think we’re in a good spot as a program. And we’re going to be better next year, I have no doubt about that.”

New contributors

While there was some returning talent, such as 2024 state qualifiers Lane Travis and Brodrick Phelps, who both returned to state this season along with junior Gunner Martwick, the contributions of newcomers in the varsity lineup were keys to the success this season.

All three seniors — Weston Trapp, Jayden Myers and Maddix Leppla — were new team members this season and saw varsity duty, although Leppla was hampered by an injury and limited to 21 matches.

Trapp was second to Travis on the team in wins (39-15) and pins (25). He was one of six Panthers who just missed going to state by placing third at the district tournament. Myers won 16 varsity matches in his first career season of wrestling.

“We only had these guys one year, but we would not have been the team that we were, making a regional dual and nearly winning that dual, if those guys weren’t with us this year,” Downing said. “I don’t know how many coaches came up to me this season and said, where did you find that 165-pounder (Trapp)?”

Some younger wrestlers also made impressive debuts on the varsity. Three freshmen in the lower weights — Colt Key, Ben James and Landen Lillie — each won 25 or more matches led by James with a 34-16 mark and 13 falls. Sophomore Colby Brammer went 34-22.

Juniors Kylen Parsons (32-22), Jackson Pettegrew (31-18), Phelps (34-22), Martwick (35-23) and Travis (42-12) were mainstays projected to be leaders of next year’s team.

The Panthers were edged 39-37 by Ballard in the regional dual first round at Sergeant-Bluff Luton, and placed second in the 2A district tournament at Centerville behind Burlington Notre Dame with 161.5 points. Fairfield placed third with 144 points.

“I specifically recall the Fairfield coach coming up to me and saying, ‘People said you weren’t any good this year, and I just don’t see it. This is our best team I’ve had in 25 years and I still can’t beat you!’ I heard that a lot of from coaches this year.”

Getting voted into the regional duals was likewise a surprise to many who considered this a “down” year for Creston wrestling.

“Nobody thought we’d even be in a regional dual, first and foremost,” Downing said. “To get voted in, that’s why we travel like we do, to have people see us and I think it led to many voters thinking we should be in the dual team race. After nobody gave us a chance early, we had a chance to win that dual. We were right there. It showed we belonged in the regional dual.”

Outstanding Wrestler

Travis finished one win from placing at state this year at 132 pounds after finishing eighth at 113 pounds last year. He now ranks 46th in Creston career wins at 110, and tied for 23rd in career falls (65) with one season left.

Travis was presented the Mike Abel Outstanding Wrestler Award.

“This is an award that’s voted on by the team,” Downing said. “Mike Abel was a great student, great wrestler, hard worker, great teammate. It’s the person on the team that you’re proud of and represents Creston wrestling with pride.”

Travis also won the “Hardest Worker Award” in a vote of teammates. Best Teammate went to both Kylen Parsons and Travis. Myers and Martwick shared the Most Improved Wrestler Award.

Each coach on the staff, including volunteers, also presented “Coaches Awards” to individuals that made an impression on them for various reasons this season.

Downing said preparation for next season includes a summer camp early in June and 12 one-hour practices after summer weightlifting sessions.

“I thought we grew a lot mentally this season, in just learning how to compete and come back from a loss so that you don’t let that loss beat you in the next match,” Downing said. “But we have work left to do to show continued improvement.”

Awards

Letterwinners (letters won) — Seniors: Weston Trapp (1), Jayden Myers (1), Maddix Leppla (1). Juniors: Brodrick Phelps (3), Gunner Martwick (3), Kylen Parsons (3), Jackson Pettegrew (3), Lane Travis (3), Evan Abel (2). Sophomores: Colby Brammer (2), Drake Wilson (1), Tom Mikkelsen (1), Joshua Bunz (1). Freshmen: Nate Bentley (1), Ben James (1), Colt Key (1), Landen Lillie (1), Corbin Jones (1), Jose Avila (1). Managers: Neveah Pena, Henley Shinn.

Participation awards — Sophomores: Michael Wofford, Josiah Wilson. Freshmen: Tyler Travis, Cameron Brammer, Zadek Engdahl, Noel Ornelas-Perez, Frank Martin.

Mike Abel Outstanding Wrestler Award — Lane Travis.

Team Captain Awards — Lane Travis, Brodrick Phelps, Weston Trapp.

State qualifiers — Lane Travis, Brodrick Phelps, Gunner Martwick.

Hardest Worker Award — Lane Travis.

Best Teammate Award — Kylen Parsons and Lane Travis.

Most Improved Wrestler Award — Gunner Martwick, Jayden Myers.

Coaches Awards — Coach Trevor Frain: Jayden Myers. Coach Kruz Adamson: Kylen Parsons. Coach Tanner Webb: Brodrick Phelps. Coach Wade Bolinger: Colby Brammer. Coach Keaton Street: Jose Avila. Coach Casey Tanner: Gunner Martwick. Coach Cody Downing: Weston Trapp.

IWCOA Academic All-State (state qualifiers 3.75 GPA and above) — Lane Travis.

IHSAA Team Academic Achievement Award — Creston (GPA 3.2).