The Iola High wrestling team hosted Humboldt and Burlington as part of its senior night Thursday.
The Mustang wrestling squad celebrated its lone senior, and lone returning state qualifier, Wyatt Westervelt.
Westervelt is certainly on track for another state run in the 190-pound weight class come league and regional action next month.
“Wyatt is one who leads by example,” said Iola head coach Jason Bates. “He does a lot of extra work, showing up in the morning to work out, he’s very consistent at doing that. He’s always at practice and I think he may be the only one on the team who has not missed a practice. He works hard, he encourages others to work hard too and he’s a real leader.”
Iola ousted Humboldt, 30-18 and fell to Burlington, 47-12.
Trapper Boren was defeated by Burlington’s Ryan Hoyt on a technical fall, 17-1, in the boys 106-pound weight class. Boren received a bye against Humboldt.
“We are very limited in practice partners and so the moves we see in practice are typically the same moves we see over and over again because that’s what they are comfortable with,” said Bates. “When we go to these tournaments, they see new guys, they react differently, they see different strengths and techniques, it really helps us improve a lot.”
Griffin Westervelt was beaten by Burlington’s Ethan Bartley in a 3:04 fall in the 126-pound weight class. Westervelt also received a bye against Humboldt.
Korbin Cloud secured the first victory of the day in a contested match against Burlington’s Tristan Devening by a 2:39 fall. He received a bye against Humboldt.
“Korbin’s done very well this year at just improving at every tournament we go to,” Bates said. “Going into this match, we knew we were probably going to come away with the win. I was really hoping Korbin would work some moves he’s been working on in practice and he did.”
Wyatt Westervelt won his lone contested match of the night when he took down Burlington’s Damon Cook on a pin at the 2:04 before receiving a bye against Humboldt as well.
HUMBOLDT lost to Burlington, 60-12.
Junior Cub Bradley Lowry was taken down by Burlington’s Tucker Williams on a fall in 3:02. The Humboldt wrestlers who received byes included Curt Shannon in the 113-pound weight class, Cole Mathes in the 165-pound weight class.
Iola and Humboldt are at a tournament in Fredonia Saturday. Iola will host Osawatomie and West Elk Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
