FRONTENAC — Three Iola High School wrestlers are state-bound after the 4A regionals on Saturday. Trent Jones, TJ Taylor, and Wyatt Westervelt advanced in their weight brackets.
Jones came in second after a loss to Frontenac’s undefeated Dawson Lapping by a 5-0 decision. Jones will carry a 26-4 record into the state tournament.
Taylor lost the third-place match due to medical forfeit to Osawatomie’s Chance Mitzner. Taylor lost by injury default to Chanute’s Trey Dillow in the semifinals but came back to earn a spot in the third-place match with a win over Frontenac’s Lathan Lundberg.
Westervelt suffered an early loss to Chanute’s Dagan Dean. Westervelt rebounded well to get back into the third-place match. His time in the match lasted a minute, losing to Independence’s Isaiah Melugin. Westervelt is 22-111 this season.
Corbin Cloud lost in the semifinals of the consolation bracket to Independence’s Cooper Anderson. Cloud’s season is over with a 19-11 record.
“I know Corbin is disappointed,” Iola head coach Jason Bates said. “He didn’t wrestle last year, which caused him to play catch-up most of the season.”
Camden Warner’s season ended in the third round of the consolation bracket. Warner advanced to the quarterfinals via a bye where he lost to Frontenac’s Justice Compton. Warner finishes his season with a 1-10 mark.
Korbyn Fountain lost in the first round of the championship bracket and got a bye in the first round of the consolation bracket before losing in the second round to Independence’s Ethan Lane. Fountain is 0-6 this season.
Dominic McGee lost in the quarterfinals and was put in the consolation bracket. McGee advanced to the second round before losing to Chanute’s Bryan Jackett by a 3-0 decision. McGee’s record is 17-14.
“Dom had his head set on going to state which every senior does,” Bates said. “It’s always heartbreaking seeing their season end at regionals.”
It is unclear if Taylor will be able to wrestle in the state tournament according to Bates.
“I believe the underclassman gained some valuable experience this year,” Bates said. “They have all improved since the beginning of the season.”
“COVID-19 really hurt these seniors. They lost a lot of competition due to quarantines and cancellations,” Bates added.
