SILVER LAKE — Tough competition awaited Iola High’s Mustangs at last Saturday’s Silver Lake High Invitational wrestling tournament.
No Mustang came away with a medal but the team came away with experience. That experience against quality wrestlers is what IHS head coach Aaron Sweazy sees as a benefit for the Mustangs.
“Our kids found out that we need to step it up and become sharper in our techniques,” Sweazy said.
The Mustangs finish out the regular season at home Thursday. They step back into Southeast Kansas League dual action with Independence and Coffeyville coming to Iola.
The double dual begins at 5:30 p.m. at the IHS gym with Coffeyville taking on Independence. It is senior night for Iola and the Mustangs wrestle Coffeyville in the second dual then Independence in the third dual.
Iola is 3-3 in SEK duals and 8-4 in dual action.
At Silver Lake’s tournament, Trey Colborn placed fifth in the 285-pound class going 2-2. He pinned Chance Edwards of Osawatomie and Skyler Sherman of Doniphan West. He lost by pins to Darrin Feist of St. James Academy and Grant Fleming of Salina South.
Also going 2-2 on the day was Devin Culler in the 160-pound division. He pinned Shane Wilson of Silver Lake and had a major decision (13-3) over Richard Vargas of Wamego in the consolation bracket.
Culler lost in the championship quarterfinals to Kansas Class 4A third-ranked Gavin Grater of Clay Center in a major decision. In consolation action, he lost 3-2 to Joe Wehner of St. Marys.
Brent Clark lost to Geoff Garrison of Seaman in the 138-pound division. He beat Storm Johnson of Wabaunsee 6-0 then was pinned by Clay Center’s Thomas Rickley.
Kaleb Mock at 126 pounds, Cody Conner at 132 pounds, Jacob Rhoads at 145 pounds, Zeph Larney at 152 pounds and Bryce Misenhelter at 182 pounds all lost in the first round then lost their first consolation bracket matches.
