BURLINGTON — Iola High picked up where it left off in the young wrestling season Saturday.
The Mustang wrestlers were joined by Humboldt High and several other highly touted programs from across the state at the Burlington Invitational.
There, two of the three Mustang grapplers, senior Korbin Cloud and freshman Kale Pratt, advanced to the championship of their respective weight classes.
Cloud’s bid for gold came up just short, as Trent Eck of Uniontown managed an escape and late takedown for three crucial points to defeat Cloud, 7-5, in the 144-pound title match.
Pratt, meanwhile, took on Brennen Westervelt of Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High School for the 150-pound title. Alas, Westervelt, one of the premiere wrestlers in the state, pinned Pratt at the 1:09 mark.
Elsewhere, Humboldt’s Cole Mathes took silver in the 175-pound division, bowing out to Jase Fitzmorris of McPherson, another powerhouse wrestler, 4-3.
On the girls side, Humboldt’s Taevyn Baylor took second in the 155-pound division.
IOLA head coach Jason Bates said all three of Iola’s wrestlers are primed for big things in the future.
“Korbin’s confidence is really showing,” Bates said. “Every time he steps on the mat he’s trying to score. Everything we do and talk about in practice is reflected in his competition.
“Although we don’t like to lose, we need matches like we had,” he continued. “Little mistakes cost matches and that’s all it was. Korbin will learn from it and continue to improve.”
Bates also praised Pratt’s mental approach.
“Kale wrestled very well and one thing I like is that he asks questions as soon as he steps off the mat,” Bates said. “He wants to get better. It’s no surprise that we continue to see growth from him. It all comes from the practice room. He drills and competes daily with Korbin. Korbin’s drive to get better forces Kale to get better. Those two are always focused and battling through practice.”
Ruger Boren, wrestling at 106 pounds, lost his two matches, but his tenacity on the mat is evident, Bates said.
Ruger wants to win,” Bates said. “He steps up to the challenge of wrestling varsity because he wants to be a varsity wrestler. He may lack the experience to make it to the podium but it doesn’t keep him from trying. He has a lot of heart and a drive to compete. He’s getting a lot of good experience and learning a lot.”
HUMBOLDT had several other standouts on the mats.
