Wrestling is a new — fourth- year program — for Iola High School. So there continues to be a lot of firsts for the Mustang wrestling team.
On Senior Night, Iola’s three seniors came through Thursday for the Mustangs. They went 6-0 in Southeast Kansas League action on their home mat for the final time.
The Mustangs hosted Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High’s Golden Tornado and Independence High’s Bulldogs. It was the final SEK double dual for the season and for good for the Mustangs.
Iola moves from the SEK to the Pioneer League next year.
Iola had its first winning season in dual action, 9-5 overall. The Mustangs finished with four dual wins in SEK action — the most in their short history.
The Mustangs finished 4-4 in SEK action. That put them tied for fourth as Pittsburg went 8-0 for the SEK championship.
“We’ve come a long way as a program. Even with a coaching change this season, the guys have worked hard,” said Devin Culler, Iola senior. “It’s a big step for the program and a good way to leave the SEK.”
Culler and Brent Clark have wrestled all four years for the Mustangs. Denton Christian started with the program but sat out last year then returned as a senior.
The team recognized the three seniors and their parents Thursday night.
“This year shows amazing strides for Iola’s wrestling program,” Clark said after the matches.
Coffeyville suited up only four wrestlers for the night’s matches. Only three wrestled against Iola as the Mustangs rolled to a 57-6 team victory.
Against Independence, the Mustangs trailed the Bulldogs 33-12 with six matches remaining in the dual. They got three pins in a row.
Culler pinned Independence’s Toby Therrien in 1 minute, 24 seconds at 160 pounds. Bryce Misenhelter, a sophomore, pinned the Bulldogs’ Mylik George in 1:34 in the 182-pound match.
Christian turned Independence’s C.J. Hitt for a pin at the 2:45 mark of their 195-pound match. Each team had put up another six points to their totals with forfeit wins — Independence’s Chase Null at 170 and Iola’s Chase Roettgen at 220.
So, Independence held a slim three-point lead, 39-36, with one match left. It was up to the 285-pound wrestlers to decide the team win.
