Iowa 2A boys’ state wrestling Friday roundup: Austin Scranton is Anamosa’s first finalist in 20 years

DES MOINES — Each time Austin Scranton stepped into the Anamosa wrestling room his eyes scanned a panel on the wall.

The names in white letters stenciled against a black background under and a blue-and-white header represent the school’s state qualifiers and medalists. Former Blue Raider Moza Fay’s name stood out.

“There is ‘Champ’ behind him twice,” Scranton said. “I’m hoping to tie that because I’m a junior and two (chances) left. I’m going to give these two (chances) all I’ve got. I’ve got to get it.”

Scranton earned his first shot at state gold. He defeated West Delaware’s Brent Yonkovic, 8-6, in the 175-pound semifinals of the Class 2A boys’ state wrestling tournament Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. Scranton is Anamosa’s first finalist since Fay won his second title 20 years ago.

“It’s amazing,” Scranton said. “That’s all I’ve been thinking about this year, getting to be here Saturday night and going four matches as hard as I can. Hopefully, taking home gold.”

The reference to Fay wasn’t lost on Scranton, who improved to 48-0 and tied his school record for wins in a season. He has met the two-time All-American for Northern Iowa.

“He’s come in and done a couple clinics with us,” Scranton said. “A really cool guy. If you ever get to meet him, he’s really nice.”

Top-seeded Scranton handed Yonkovic his only three losses of the season, beating him twice in December. Scranton said this season is the first time he’s had success against West Delaware’s two-time state medalist.

“He’s a stud,” Scranton said. “Nothing else to say. He’s a great wrestler. We’ve wrestled since we were small. This year happened to be the year I got him.

“He’s kicked my butt for a long time. This year is the first year I really stepped up a little bit and I know I’ve put in a lot of work, so I know I deserve it.”

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The latest meeting was drastically different. Instead of Scranton getting an early lead, Yonkovic built a 6-0 lead in the second period. Scranton remained confident despite the deficit, getting on the board with a reversal later that period.

Scranton countered a shot attempt and cinched up a reverse cradle with about a minute left for a takedown and added three nearfall.

“Just hold on,” Scranton said of his thoughts when he locked up the cradle. “Keep him on there because there’s no stalling or stalemate when he’s on his back. Just hold him there as long as I could. He broke it and made sure I didn’t give up two.”

Scranton celebrated by flexing to the Anamosa crowd, which included his parents. They applauded as he walked off the arena floor.

“It was pretty surreal,” said Scranton, who joined Fay, Jay Soupene and Matt Gogel as the school’s only finalists. “Everyone that came out is so important to me. That crowd is why I’m still going.”

Mount Vernon-Solon meeting in semifinals goes Mount Vernon’s way

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Mount Vernon duo Klayten Perreault and Jase Jaspers advanced to the finals. Perreault topped Ballard’s Easton Enyeart, 3-0, in the 106 semifinals. Jaspers beat Solon’s Jordan Schmidt, 2-1, in tiebreaker-1 at 138.

Jaspers and Schmidt collided for the fourth time this season. Jaspers won the first two, but Schmidt won the district final. The familiarity made offense difficult.

“This time, I knew what he was going to do,” Jaspers said. “He knew what I was going to do, so it was a little hard to score points there but I think I came in with a better game plan and came out with a win.”

The duo exchanged escapes in regulation. Jaspers escaped again during the tiebreaker and followed with a 30-second rideout to win.

“Just staying calm and composed,” Jaspers said about the key to the victory before crediting Mount Vernon coaches for his conditioning. “Whoever wants it more gets it.”

Last year, Jaspers was Mount Vernon’s first freshman finalist since Grag Randall won the first of his four titles in 1979. He placed second and has a shot at redemption.

“It’s exciting wrestling there on the big stage,” Jaspers said. “Last year, I didn’t get what I (wanted). It hurts. It hurts losing in the finals. So close to your dreams and it just gets crushed.

“I was winning with :20 left and couldn’t get it done. It hurts, so getting a shot here this year is exciting.”

Five Mustangs earned top-six finishes. Jackson Jaspers (144), Mikey Ryan at 150 and heavyweight Ethan Wood won consolation matches to reach the podium. Mount Vernon was second in the team race with 94 points, trailing Osage by 18 1/2.

The Mustangs are in position to earn a second consecutive team trophy.

“They’re family,” Jase Jaspers said. “We get a little rowdy in practice. It’s definitely been rowdy down here in Des Moines. We’re family. We love to have fun but when it’s time to work we work.”

Union Community sends 3 to state wrestling finals

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Union Community sat right behind Mount Vernon in the team standings. The Knights were third with 82 points and three finalists. Defending state champion Brayden Bohnsack beat Burlington Notre Dame’s Carter West, 8-3, in a 113 semifinal. Jace Hedeman earned a chance for a third title, defeating Eddyville EBF’s Landen Davis, 8-1, at 126.

Teammate Caleb Olson qualified with both last season but placed seventh. He was the only one that was idle for last year’s final. He joined them with a 3-0 decision over Algona’s No. 2 Tate Slagle at 150.

“It’s been a big deal,” Olson said. “Obviously, it was just us three and I got seventh and wasn’t real happy with it. Last year was kind of a tough year, coming back this year, we’ve been training really hard.”

Olson benefits from training with Bohnsack, Hedeman and coaches with national title and All-America honors. His toughest scraps come in the room, so he’s prepared for state battles.

“It’s more of a mental thing here,” Olson said. “Big stage. Only wrestling one match a day. It isn’t easy. It takes a while.”

Union’s Coy Mehlert moved into the 106 consolation semifinals, earning a top-six finish. Kaydin Jones reached the top eight at 120.

“I’m excited to be out there with them tomorrow night,” Olson said. “We have five on the awards stand, which is huge. We have a couple kids making upsets at our lower weights. It’s pretty awesome. I’m happy for them.”

South Tama’s Gavin Bridgewater back on the mat Saturday night

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South Tama’s Gavin Bridgewater returned to the state finals after a year hiatus. The second-seeded 215-pounder beat Glenwood’s Mason Koehler, 5-2, in the semifinals.

Bridgewater (44-1) faces New Hampton/Turkey Valley’s Braden McShane (42-1) for the championship. McShane handed Bridgewater his lone loss, 6-5, in the first tournament of the season.

“I’m so excited,” Bridgewater said. “I know I belong in the state finals. I knew that last year. So, it’s nice to be in it. I’m going to give that kid hell. Nothing is going to stop me.”

Class 2A state wrestling Top 10 team scores after Friday

1. Osage 112 1/2

2. Mount Vernon 94

3. Union Community 82

4. Burlington Notre Dame 67 1/2

5. Creston 66

6. Roland-Story 63

7. Hampton-Dumont-CAL 59 1/2

8. Webster City 58 1/2

9. North Polk 55

10. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 53

Friday’s Class 2A Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling semifinal results

106 pounds

Klayten Perreault (Mount Vernon) dec. Easton Enyeart (Ballard), 3-0

Cael McCabe (Fairfield) dec. Urijah Courter (Nevada), 8-3

113

Brayden Bohnsack (Union Community) dec. Carter West (Burlington Notre Dame), 8-3

Linden Phetxoumphone (Webster City) major dec. Jon Gonzalez (West Marshall), 12-2

120

Gage Spurgeon (Eddyville EBF) dec. Emmitt Newton (Davis County), 6-4

Ryan Bahnson (West Lyon) dec. Carter Schmauss (Crestwood), 2-1

126

Jace Hedeman (Union Community) dec. Landen Davis (Eddyville EBF), 8-1

Carson Doolittle (Webster City) major dec. Amare Chavez (South Tama), 14-3

132

Kaiden Dietzenbach (Burlington Notre Dame) dec. Mason Avila (Decorah), 7-2

Kade Blume (Roland-Story) dec. Matt Beem (Glenwood), 5-2 TB-1

138

Blake Fox (Osage) dec. Cadyn Wild (Davenport Assumption), 2-1

Jase Jaspers (Mount Vernon) dec. Jordan Schmidt (Solon), 2-1 TB-1

144

Anders Kittelson (Osage) pinned Tucker Wheeler (Monroe PCM), 2:28

Royce Butt (DeWitt Central) dec. Tyler Wieland (Independence), 6-3

150

Lukas Kral (Garner GHV) dec. Hudson Scranton (Anamosa), 7-4

Caleb Olson (Union Community) dec. Tate Slagle (Algona), 3-0

157

Tucker Stangel (Osage) pinned Gavin Scheuermann (Greene County), 3:56

Bo Koedam (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) dec. Karson Kolbet (New Hampton/Turkey Valley), 7-0

165

Broedy Hendricks (Humboldt) dec. Max Gast (Osage), 6-0

Colin Young (Dubuque Wahlert) major dec. Logan Powers (Roland-Story), 9-1

175

Austin Scranton (Anamosa) dec. Brent Yonkovic (West Delaware), 8-6

Hesston Johnson (Roland-Story) dec. Daniel Gorskikh (Knoxville), 10-3

190

Jarrett Roos (Sheldon/South O’Brien) dec. Kain Killmer (Perry), 10-5

Ben Bryant (North Polk) dec. Thomas Sexton (Decorah), 3-1

215

Braden McShane (New Hampton/Turkey Valley) dec. Henry Christensen (Ballard), 3-2

Gavin Bridgewater (South Tama) dec. Mason Koehler (Glenwood), 5-2

285

Mac Muller (Osage) pinned Carter Heilskov (Hampton-Dumont-CAL), 7:17

Russel Coil (Columbus/WMU) dec. Paul Ballard (Albia), 3-1

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