EUREKA — The Iola High wrestling team stacked up at the 29th annual Eureka Invitational on Saturday morning when four Mustangs took to the mats.
Korbin Cloud finished second in his 138-pound weight class.
Cloud first won by a fall over against West Elk’s Nolan Denton in 2 minutes, 17 seconds, before defeating Clearwater’s Kaden Bohenblust on a fall over 50 seconds into the match. The Mustang won by fall over again to Caney Valley’s Heath Ellis in 3:47 before falling to Rossville’s Aryon Klesath in 1:44.
“All the wrestlers improved from their last tournament,” said Iola head coach Jason Bates. “We are working on correcting a few basic techniques in order to maintain better position and pressure. Doing this helped every wrestler come away with two wins or more.”
Xander Sellman competed in the 144-pound weight class.
The Mustang lost by a fall to Newton’s Rigoberto Torres in 4:58 before he defeated Marion’s Eldon Smith in a 6-2 decision. Sellman dropped his final match of the day to El Dorado’s EJ Krug on a fall at 28 seconds.
Isaac Hopkins, competing in the 150-pound weight class, won by sudden victory over Winfield’s Landon Bonjour, 8-6, before getting taken down by Herington’s Justin Wilder in a 48-second match. The sophomore also won by a 7-2 decision over Clearwater’s Cale Carlson.
“Our wrestlers are moving in the right directions,” Bates said. “Every time we step on the mat we learn important lessons and gain the experience needed to be able to compete at the level it’s going to take to make it to state.”
Hopkins knocked off Columbus’ Syler Schuberger in a 10-3 decision before losing to Douglass’ Charlton Carr in a 2:35 fall.
Wyatt Westervelt secured fourth place in the 190-pound weight class. The senior won by a fall over Clearwater’s Keyson Halling in 4:4, before beating Chase County’s Cal Kohlmeierr in a two-minute fall. Westervelt then lost to Douglass’s Wade Morgan in a 3-0 decision before getting taken down by El Dorado’s Collin Scott in a 32-second fall.
“Korbin and Wyatt are both two likable and humble leaders,” said Bates. “They communicate with all the team members and coaches easily and they expect of themselves what they expect from their teammates.”
The Mustangs will hit the mats when they host Humboldt and Burlington on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
