2A State Wrestling Duals: No. 1 Union captures first State Duals title since 2004

DES MOINES — Nerves clearly emanated from Union, LaPorte City bench. The entire team knew the dual would be decided in the last match. The goal they established from the beginning of the season hung in the balance, too.

Union's traveling schedule and stiff competition had all culminated in the 126-pound match for the state title. Everyone on the team knew they couldn't give up a pin in the last match and as time ticked away, their dream cautiously started to feel a little more real.

'They kept saying about the schedule, it's a grind and it was,' said Union coach Pat Hogan. 'Obviously I think it paid off tonight.'

Bonus points in four matches all helped No. 1 Union to a 33-31 win against No. 2 Davenport Assumption in the Class 2A State Duals championship on Wednesday. The Knights beat Clear Lake and Creston earlier in the day to advance to the title dual.

The win gave Union (39-2) its first state duals title since 2004, and ended a four-year title reign by Assumption (21-3).

'We were well prepared and it was just a back-and-forth battle,' said Union 145-pound senior Max Thomsen. 'They competed hard, but we just got the job done.'

Part of that back-and-forth struggle was apparent early, when Assumption jumped to a 9-0 lead after the first two matches. A pin by Thomsen in 34 seconds got the Knights on the board, but what happened in the 152-pound match was what those on the Union bench thought ultimately swung the dual.

Senior Teal Ludemann was nearly compromised as the final minute of the third period neared and it looked as though Nicholas Johnson would steal back momentum for Assumption. A quick move by Ludemann, however, threw Johnson took his back and Ludemann scored the pin in 5:01.

udemann knew going in how crucial his match could be for the outcome of the dual.

'I figured we needed a pin to help the team out,' Ludemann said. 'I went out there and gave it my all and I got the pin.'

'The kid never gave up and never stopped fighting,' Thomsen added.

Union led by five team points going into the last match, and 126-pounder Ryder Albertsen lost 2-0 to Kirk Mommsen, but ultimately secured the team title for the Knights.

'It's been a long road,' Hogan said, 'but obviously for them this is a big payoff.'

Independence takes fifth in Class 2A

Close losses doomed No. 4 Independence in its first dual against No. 5 Creston, but the Mustangs bounced back with convincing wins against Clear Lake and New Hampton to capture fifth place in Class 2A.

A 50-20 win against Clear Lake pushed Independence to the fifth place consolation where they beat New Hampton 48-15, losing only three matches. Independence coach Michael Doyle said while it's sometimes hard to respond after a loss, he was impressed with his team's resiliency.

'You've got to kind of refocus and re-gather yourself and get going,' Doyle said. 'That's what our team did. Up and down the lineup, I thought our team competed hard and did whatever they could to help the team out and that's what I'm proud of.'

Creston wrestler taken to hospital in 'critical condition'

The tournament fell silent shortly after Union's semifinal win over Creston-OM. A trainer noticed senior Tayler Pettit close to passing out on the bench after his match. Pettit said he was struggling to breathe. Pettit was moved to the side and treated, but things became worse when he failed to make it back after the teams shook hands.

The situation turned dire. Creston Coach Darrell Frain said Pettit passed out and went into seizures. Emergency medical personnel arrived quickly, administering CPR on the mat located on the arena floor.

'It's a situation they think it happened right in the first 10 seconds of his match,' Frain said. 'The impact to his chest threw his heart off rhythm. They aren't 100-percent sure what happened out of it.'

Frain said Pettit was shocked multiple times with a difibrulator, and medical personal continued CPR as they carted out of the arena.

Pettit was rushed to a nearby hospital. Frain said he was sedated Wednesday night. Pettit was listed in critical condition.

'Right now, he's breathing on his own,' Frain said. 'They are taking lots of tests.'

Frain said he did not want the team to compete in the third-place dual against Mediapolis, who won 46-28. Pettit's family encouraged the team to continue, so Frain accommodated their wishes. He had an emotional meeting with the team at the hotel before returning to the event.

'We got them together at the room,' Frain said. 'I told them everything we knew about it … Told him Missy wanted us to wrestle. We had a prayer, cried a little bit, and did the best we could.'