TOPEKA — Eight students with the Iola Kids Wrestling Club competed at the Kansas State Wrestling Championships last weekend.
Four wrestlers matched up in the high school division and another four hit the mats in the younger levels. Shakyia Trester was forced to sit out due to an injury.
Trapper Boren, Korbin Cloud, Cole Mathes and Wyatt Westervelt faced off in the high school wrestling division. Each scored team points with victories of their own but were unable to earn placements in the top spots.
Daegan Rodriguez competed in the 10U wrestling division and won a match while dropping two. He scored three team points but did not place.
Addilyn Wacker was favored to take a state title but endured a season-ending injury in the second round after taking down her first opponent with ease.
“Addi and Daegan both had outstanding seasons and made us proud,” said Iola wrestling coach John Taylor.
Cayleigh Rutherford, competing in her first state competition, secured a fifth-place finish after winning four matches. The Mustang only dropped two matches.
“After improving week in and week out because of her hard work and dedication, she was able to dominate several opponents and finish her first year as a state placer,” Taylor said.
Zoie Hesse claimed a third-place finish in her eighth-grade wrestling class. Hesse had only one loss of the five matches, losing to an older high school wrestler. The Iola Middle schooler has now secured three placements in first, third and fifth place.
