Mustangs qualify for state team dual tournament after regional final over Bobcats

Independence's Tyler Wieland (right) drives Benton Community's Eli Kupka to the mat during their 144 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Zach Homan (right) tries to break away from Benton Community's Garrett Kuch during their 120 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kuch won by decision 7-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Brady Patterson (left) works on a chicken wing of Independence's Kam Kremer during their 150 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Patterson won by decision 17-10. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Elias Bieschke (left) secures the leg of Independence's Cael Troutman as e tries a takedown during their 157 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieschke won by decision 13-8. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Brady Patterson (right) tries to avoid the pin by Independence's Kam Kremer during their 150 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Patterson won by decision 17-10. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Jason Eastman (left) tries to break down as Independence's Carver Wieland during their 126 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-1. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Teammates celebrate after Benton Community's Memphis Bishop defeated Independence's Lyric Wellman to the mat during their 106 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bishop won by decision 18-11. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Garrett Kuch (top) moves in to complete the takedown of Independence's Zach Homan during their 120 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kuch won by decision 7-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Cael Troutman (right) squares off with Benton Community's Elias Bieschke during their 157 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieschke won by decision 13-8. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Elias Bieschke (left) faces off with Independence's Cael Troutman during their 157 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieschke won by decision 13-8. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Elias Bieschke (left) drives a takedown of Independence's Cael Troutman during their 157 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieschke won by decision 13-8. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Tanner Wilson (right) works for a pin of Benton Community's Ryan Koehler during their 138 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wilson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Tanner Wilson (left) works for a pin of Benton Community's Ryan Koehler during their 138 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wilson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Tanner Wilson (right) looks at Benton Community's Ryan Koehler after their 138 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wilson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Remy Ressler (left) wrestles Benton Community's Brock Corrigan during their 132 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Ressler won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Remy Ressler (right) takes down Benton Community's Brock Corrigan during their 132 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Ressler won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Remy Ressler (right) goes for the pin of Benton Community's Brock Corrigan during their 132 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Ressler won. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Jason Eastman (left) tries to break down as Independence's Carver Wieland works to escape during their 126 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-1. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Blayke Heying (right) grabs the leg of Independence's Christopher Meyer as he works a takedown during their 165 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Heying won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Gable Eddy (looks to the Mustangs bench as he works to counter Benton Community's Will Clausen during their heavyweight Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Clausen won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Brady Patterson (left) works on an escape from Independence's Kam Kremer during their 150 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Patterson won by decision 17-10. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Memphis Bishop (left) drives Independence's Lyric Wellman to the mat during their 106 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bishop won by decision 18-11. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Ben Anderson (left) bucks off Benton Community's Jaxson Mehlert as he works on a reversal during their 113 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Anderson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Zach Homan (left) tries to avoid a takedown by Benton Community's Garrett Kuch during their 120 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kuch won by decision 7-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Eli Kupka (right) gets low as he squares off with Independence's Tyler Wieland during their 144 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Tyler Wieland (top) works to break down Benton Community's Eli Kupka during their 144 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Blayke Heying (right) takes down Independence's Christopher Meyer during their 165 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Heying won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Kam Kremer (right) hooks the leg of Benton Community's Brady Patterson during their 150 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Patterson won by decision 17-10. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Ben Anderson celebrates after pinning Benton Community's Jaxson Mehlert during their 113 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Anderson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Will Clausen (left) wrestles Independence's Gable Eddy during their heavyweight Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Clausen won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Lyric Wellman (left) tries to avoid a pin by Benton Community's Memphis Bishop during their 106 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bishop won by decision 18-11. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Ben Anderson (left) works on a reversal on Benton Community's Jaxson Mehlert during their 113 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Anderson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Masin Hummel (right) tangles with Benton Community's Troy Kupka during their 215 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kupka won by major decision 9-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Jaxson Mehlert (right) wrestles Independence's Ben Anderson during their 113 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Anderson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Weston Kaestner (left) works to break down Independence's Braylen Bieber during their 175 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieber won by injury default. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Troy Kupka (left) controls Independence's Masin Hummel during their 215 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kupka won by major decision 9-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Ben Anderson (front) wrestles Benton Community's Jaxson Mehlert during their 113 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Anderson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Brady Patterson tries taking down Independence's Kam Kremer during their 150 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Patterson won by decision 17-10. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Braylen Bieber (left) breaks down Benton Community's Weston Kaestner during their 175 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieber won by injury default. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Blayke Heying (right) grabs the wrist of Independence's Christopher Meyer during their 165 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Heying won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Ben Anderson (left) wrestles Benton Community's Jaxson Mehlert during their 113 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Anderson won by fall. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Will Clausen (left) works to take down Independence's Gable Eddy during their heavyweight Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Clausen won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Carver Wieland (right) locks up Benton Community's Jason Eastman during their 126 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-1. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Kam Kremer tries to secure an ankle of Benton Community's Brady Patterson during their 150 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Patterson won by decision 17-10. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Memphis Bishop (right) grabs the wrist of Independence's Lyric Wellman during their 106 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bishop won by decision 18-11. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Weston Kaestner (right) wrestles Independence's Braylen Bieber during their 175 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bieber won by injury default. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Carver Wieland (right) tangles with Benton Community's Jason Eastman during their 126 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-1. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Memphis Bishop (left) reacts after defeating Independence's Lyric Wellman during their 106 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bishop won by decision 18-11. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Zach Homan (left) tries to break away from Benton Community's Garrett Kuch during their 120 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kuch won by decision 7-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Zach Homan (left) locks up with Benton Community's Garrett Kuch during their 120 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kuch won by decision 7-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Will Clausen (right) throws Independence's Gable Eddy during their heavyweight Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Clausen won by decision 6-2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Benton Community's Troy Kupka (right) rolls Independence's Masin Hummel during their 215 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Kupka won by major decision 9-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence's Tyler Wieland (right) works to take down Benton Community's Eli Kupka during their 144 lbs. Class 2A semifinal match at the state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Wieland won by major decision 10-0. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Independence Mustangs celebrate their Class 2A regional dual championship at the regional state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The Mustangs advance to the state high school boys’ wrestling team duals. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

A Independence Mustangs wrestler wears a t-shirt celebrating head coach Michael Doyle after their Class 2A regional dual championship win at the regional state dual at Independence High School in Independence, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The Mustangs advance to the state high school boys’ wrestling team duals. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

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