The Iola High School wrestling season is off and running. The Mustangs have competed in three events so far this season, taking home some big wins in the process.
“This season has started off pretty well,” said Mustang head coach Jason Bates. “We got in a few early season matches before the break. That’s important to help develop our skills and build confidence.”
Korbin Cloud, and Isaac Hopkins are undefeated in junior varsity action. Cloud is 3-0 in the 124-134 pound weight class and Hopkins is 5-0 in the 147-150 pound weight class. Both wrestlers took first place honors in Cherryvale, the last JV meet before the break. Cloud is 2-11 in varsity action, while Hopkins is 0-5. Katelyn Womelsorf is the lone girl on the Mustang squad. She is 3-2 and won in her weight class at the Santa Fe Trail mixer and finished second in Cherryvale.
Korbyn Fountain is 2-2 in junior varsity this season and has not made his varsity debut.
Trent Jones is the team’s top wrestler so far. Jones is 12-1, including a win in the 145-pound weight class at the Anderson County Invitational and runner-up honors at the Kan/Okla Invitational in Caney where he suffered his first loss of the season.
TJ Taylor suffered a close loss in the first place match at the Kan/Okla tournament in a 5-3 decision to Erie High School’s Quinten Heady in the 138-pound bracket. Taylor went undefeated at the Anderson County tournament and won his weight class. At the break, Taylor is 10-3. Taylor and Jones look to have special seasons shaping up.
Damian Wacker has seen his fair share of success. Wacker finished fifth at both the Anderson County tournament and narrowly lost the fifth place match at the Kan/Okla tournament to Cherryvale High School’s Dalton Morrill in a hard-fought 3-1 decision. Wacker stands at 8-6.
Dominic McGee has had an up-and-down start. McGee placed fifth at the Anderson County tournament and sixth in the Kan/Okla tournament, losing the fifth-place match at the Kan/Okla tournament by sudden victory to Santa Fe Trail’s Cole Flory. McGee is 8-7 in the 285-pound weight class.
Wyatt Westervelt has been on the verge of getting a signature win. Westervelt placed second in the Kan/Okla tournament in the 195-pound bracket, just missing out on the win. Westervelt lost the first-place match on a 2-1 decision to Pittsburg High School’s Jaquan Augustin. Westervelt also came in fourth at the Anderson County Invitational.
Xander Sellman finished sixth in the Kan/Okla tournament in the 126-pound bracket and was 4-1 in the season-opening Burlington Duels. Sellman’s only loss at the duels was to Wellsville’s Noah Edwards via pin. Sellman is 4-6.
