‘Injury bug’ hits Maquoketa Valley wrestlers

DELHI - The Maquoketa Valley wrestling team traveled to Cascade for its first tournament of the season on Dec. 4, taking on Clayton Ridge, Maquoketa, Cascade, MFL MarMac and Washington (Iowa).

The Wildcats won their first three duals before falling in the last two. Coach Tim Andrews said he was pleased with how his team wrestled in those wins.

'Then came the injury bug and that was very hard to overcome with the last two duals,” he said. 'Hopefully we can get guys healthy and get back to somewhat of a full line up as we move into the next two weeks before break.”

The Wildcats won their first dual against Clayton Ridge, 66-12. Wrestlers who were successful included Dylan Happel (forfeit), Austin Stogdill (pin), Mitch Smith (pin), Dylan Wright (pin), Alec McDowell (pin), Eric Heims (pin), Kaleb Kruse (pin), Canyon Richardson (forfeit), Carson Wright (forfeit) and Tanner Parmely (forfeit).

Maquoketa Valley also took down Maquoketa, 48-31, getting wins from Stogdill (pin), Norman Wilson (pin), Cole Kruse (pin), McDowell (pin), Jordy Downs (forfeit), Heims (pin), Kruse (pin), Richardson (forfeit) and Parmely (pin).

The Wildcats then wrestled Cascade, winning 57-24. Wrestlers who helped to win this dual were Mitch Smith (3-1 decision), Wilson (pin), Kruse (pin), Wright (forfeit), Downs (forfeit), McDowell (pin), Heims (forfeit), Parmely (forfeit), appel (forfeit) and Austin Stogdill (pin).

Maquoketa Valley lost to MFL MarMac, 48-34, getting wins from Downs (14-4 decision), McDowell (pin), Heims (pin), Parmely (pin), Stogdill (pin) and Smith (pin).

The Wildcats ended the night with a 59-13 loss to Washington. Wildcat winners were McDowell (11-2 decision), Downs (7-4 decision) and Heims (pin).

Stogdill, a senior who has been plagued with injuries throughout high school and has been unable to wrestle until this year, suffered an injury and now is on crutches.