CANEY — A pair of wild momentum swings gave Iola High senior Stephen McDonald a tournament championship Saturday, while denying sophomore Trey Colborn a similar feat.
McDonald, wrestling in the 220-pound weight class of the Caney Valley Invitational, used a quick reversal to erase a potential loss in his championship match.
The win over Ethan Gustus of Caney Valley gave McDonald a 5-0 record on the day.
Nearly simultaneously, Colborn, wrestling on a separate mat in his heavyweight championship match, lost a point late in the competition to drop a 1-0 heartbreaker to Stephen Baker of Caney Valley. The loss gave Colborn the second-place medal via his 4-1 record.
The duo, along with junior Cody Conner, spearheaded a successful day for Iola’s wrestlers, who took home fifth place among 13 Kansas and Oklahoma high schools.
“I was very pleased with how the boys did,” head coach Brad Carson said. “I saw some moves today that showed me they’ve really started executing moves that we showed them.”
MCDONALD’S comeback win put the capper on an exciting day.
“Stephen was really in control of his match, but got turned and put on his back in the third period,” Carson said.
The outcome looked bleak with McDonald behind in points as the seconds ticked away.
But a nifty reversal gave McDonald the win seconds before the match ended.
“It was to the point that I was walking over to Trey’s match, and had just turned my head when he got out of it,” Carson said.
He heard commotion from McDonald’s match and returned his attention just in time to see McDonald seal the win.
“It was a great match,” Carson said. “I’m proud of him.”
COLBORN’S heartbreak was another story.
He was scoreless in his championship match and was given the option of starting the third round on his feet or on bottom.
“I’m second-guessing myself because I had Trey start on bottom,” Carson said. “I figured he would escape and get a point.
“But Trey got turned and couldn’t escape,” giving Baker the 1-0 victory.
“I told Trey this is going to lead to better things,” Carson said. “This is going to drive him.”
CONNER ROLLED through his division with a 3-1 record to take home second place. One of his wins was against teammate Brice Aiello, a freshman who wrestled as a junior varsity competitor.
Aiello took home a 4-1 record, good for third.
“Because Brice was a JV wrestler, he didn’t get to record any points for us, but he still got his medal,” Carson said.
BRYCE MISENHELTER, a junior in the 182-pound class, took home fourth place via his 3-1 record. He defeated Yancy Wade of West Elk and D.J. Kessler of Independence. He lost to Cole Martin of Oolagah in a semifinal round before rebounding to defeat Mason Orr of Bartlesville, Okla.
“Bryce was doing very well, but got put in an awkward position in his only loss. I’m guessing he was probably the second or third best wrestler, but the way the pools worked, he had to settle for fourth place.”
Zeph Larney, senior, went 3-2 to take fifth place at 152 pounds. Travis Rieske, 160-pound junior, went 2-3 for seventh.
“Travis went up a weight class because we have Brice Aiello wrestling for us at 152 pounds,” Carson said. “This will be some good experience for him. “
Kaleb Mock wrestled in the 132-pound division. The sophomore went 2-2 to take fifth place.
Andrew Garber also went 2-2, but settled for seventh place.
“I’m proud of both of those guys,” Carson said. “They battled some tough wrestlers.”
Chase Roettgen, senior, wrestled in junior varsity at 220 pounds. He went 2-3 to take sixth place.
“That was a tough weight class for him,” Carson said. “He had some tough opponents.”
Tristan Sigfusson, junior, wrestled in the 132-pound class. He went 1-3 on the day in the junior varsity side.
“We’re really close with a lot of guys,” Carson said. “They showed a lot of fight, and they’re picking up some of the new techniques. Brice Aiello did one move without even thinking and it earned him a quick pin.”
Iola returns to the mats Saturday at the Anderson County Invitational.
