FREDONIA — Saturday was golden for Iola High’s Zoie Hesse and Humboldt High’s Taevyn Baylor.
Each secured first place in their respective weight divisions at the Fredonia Invitational Wrestling Tournament.
Hesse, wrestling at 170 pounds, pinned all three of her opponents. She dispatched Annebelle Francoeur of Independence in 1 minute, 7 seconds; Kaylee Ingalsbe of Labette County in 13 seconds and Brenah Cannon of Council Grove in 2:51.
Baylor’s day in the 155-pound division was a little less hectic but no less productive. She pinned both of her opponents, Nevaeh Partridge of Caney Valley in 38 seconds and Eva Wyatt of Burlingame at 3:43.
SEVERAL other local wrestlers had big days on the mat as well.
Iola, which entered only freshmen in Saturday’s invitational, received fifth place for Ruger Boren at 106 pounds and fourth place for Kale Pratt at 150.
Humboldt’s Cole Mathes, currently ranked second in the state in Class 3A at 175 pounds, took home second place against some of the toughest competitors you’ll see from across the state. Mathes pinned Aydin Haworth of Blustem in 1:53 before edging Jose Arevalo of Burlingame, 3-0, courtesy of a second-period takedown and an escape with 30 seconds left in the match. The victories set up Mathes against Isaac Rodriguez of Butler, who improved his season record at 28-3 by racking up 11 points in the third and final period to win, 12-3.
Others earning top finishes locally were Iola’s Kale Pratt, fourth at 150 pounds, and Ruger Boren, fifth at 106 pounds.
Humboldt’s Lillie Reeder placed third at 100 pounds, Savannah Koch took fourth at 235 pounds and Carlie Weilert was sixth at 135 pounds on the girls side. For the boys, Humboldt’s Garren Gunderman took third at 215 pounds, Brody Gunderman placed fourth at 165 pounds and Broc Ivy, Emmitt Carson and Bradley Lowry each finished fifth at 126, 138 and 144 pounds, respectively.
Iola
Girls
Zoie Hesse (first at 170 pounds)
— Hesse def. Annabelle Francoeur, Independence, fall 1:07
— Hesse def. Kaylee Ingalsbe, Labette County, fall :13
— Hesse def. Brenah Cannon, Council Grove, fall 2:51
Boys
