PARSONS — Iola High’s wrestlers continued their string of early-season success, venturing to head coach Brad Carson’s old stomping grounds Tuesday.
As they’ve done all season, Iola bounced back after having to forfeit several lighter weight matches, this time coming from behind to topple Parsons, 40-36.
“I can remember wrestling here, where the matches often came down to the heavyweight division — my division,” Carson said.
It happened again Tuesday, with Iola trailing Parsons 36-34 headed into the heavyweight match, pitting IHS freshman Colton Toney against Parsons’ Steven Cronick.
The two grappled intensely through the early portions, before Toney caught Cronick out of position.
“Colton tried to get him into a half nelson once, but couldn’t quite do it,” Carson said. But a second attempt at a half nelson was more successful.
Toney was able to parlay the move into a first-period pin, giving Iola the decisive six points, and the win.
The Mustangs won five of the six contested matches — four by pins — to claim the win.
“I was a little worried because we had two wrestlers who weren’t able to make weight, so we had to move things around,” Carson said.
Iola’s other winners:
— Mike Armstrong, returning from a wrist injury, defeated Dylan Misener, 15-4, at 138 pounds;
— Cody Conner, pinning Anthony Morton in the first period of their 145-pound match;
— John Whitworth, pinning Jason Roth at 170 pounds;
— Andrew Garber, earning a first-period pin over Kevin Rivera at 182 pounds.
Travis Rieske (152 pounds) and Bryce Misenhelter (195 pounds) both earned forfeit victories because Parsons did not have opponents at those weight classes.
“It was good to see Mike back in action,” Carson said, “and the other guys did a good job.”
Iola had to forfeit the 113-, 120-, 126-, 132- and 145-pound divisions.
