West Delaware’s Jadyn Peyton bounces back from ACL, MCL injuries to win sectional wresting title

MANCHESTER — Jadyn Peyton won’t take this victory for granted.

Sure, he’s had bigger matches and some on bigger stages, but the road that led to this made it unique. The West Delaware senior tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his knee, ending his football season prematurely and casting a brief doubt on his wrestling campaign.

After some clarification and consulting doctors, Peyton realized returning to the mat was possible.

“Definitely had some doubt at the end of football season, but by the time wrestling started I was pretty certain I was going to be wrestling,” Peyton said. “Here I am today. It’s been a long journey but I’m here.”

Peyton pinned Tipton’s Kaleb Nerem for the 160-pound title at the Class 2A sectional Saturday at Seedorf Gymnasium. He was one of nine champions for West Delaware, which won the team race with 292 points. Vinton-Shellsburg was second with 163.

“Every match we get is a bonus,” West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss said of the two-time state medalist. “He’s performing at a pretty high level.”

Peyton completely tore his ACL and his MCL was partially torn, healing on its own. He said he feels no pain and the occasional “tweaks” don’t bother him.

“I can’t complain,” Peyton said. “It has taken lots of PT (physical therapy), discipline and doing the workouts just trying to strengthen the quad and a lot of the muscles around that knee to help it support itself.

“I have had a lot of support from all sorts of people and understanding from the coaches. Coach Voss has done a great job of that.”

Voss said he talked to other coaches in similar situations. They devised an approach at the start of the season, finding creative ways for conditioning other than live wrestling. They limited his matches — Peyton is 16-0 after his finals win — and avoided tournaments since a regular-season competition consists of about double than what he’d see in the postseason.

“He’s been wrestling every day in practice,” Voss said. “The matches he’s got in the room have helped prepare him for where he’s at now.

“We just stuck to the game plan. I think he’s ready to go.”

As a competitor, Peyton would have preferred stepping on the mat each event instead of as a spectator. He worked hard to make a contribution, despite the injury. He missed sweating and grinding with his teammates and the camaraderie that accompanies it.

“It’s kind of tough,” Peyton said. “Some of the things you aren’t with your teammates doing. They will go run in the hallways and I have to stay in the room on a bike. You don’t get the atmosphere around the team when you’re in there (alone). It’s been worth it trying to stay healthy.”

Peyton’s eyes are fixed forward. He has put in the effort and wants to reap the rewards of his endurance. Peyton feels confident in his ability.

“I’ve felt well with my conditioning,” said Peyton, who placed third at state last year and fourth as a freshman. “Definitely, put in some workouts by myself. I feel good.

“Training is done. Now, I just have to go out and do it.”

West Delaware dominated the meet with 12 district qualifiers. The Hawks were a perfect 14-0 in the semifinals. Brayden Maury (106), Carson Less (120), Jax Miller (126), Blake Engel (132), 138-pounder Brent Yonkovic, Will Ward at 182, defending state champion 195-pounder Wyatt Voelker and Sawyer Falck (220) each won titles for the Hawks.

Maury, Engel, Yonkovic, Voelker and Falck also scored championship pins. Less and Ward won by major decision in the finals.

“The guys who performed well are wrestling without fear,” Voss said. “They aren’t worried about winning or losing. They are just going out to do their best. That is the approach we’ve taken since day 1. We’re not going to change now.”

Vinton-Shellsburg was as efficient and effective as anyone. Seven of the Vikings’ eight entrants advanced to districts. Aidin Swanson (113), Cooper Sanders (145), Gabe Sanders (152) and Brady Otner at 170 claimed crowns.

For the fifth time in less than a month, top-ranked Gabe Sanders defeated West Delaware’s No. 5 Logan Peyton. Gabe used takedowns in each period for a 7-0 decision in the finals. His brother, Cooper, needed just 1:16 to pin West Delaware’s Carson Turnis for his title.

The only other team to boast a champion was Anamosa. Cole Sigler earned gold for the Blue Raiders, getting a turn late in the third for a 5-2 decision over Cam Geuther at heavyweight.

AT MANCHESTER

Teams (District qualifiers in parentheses) – 1. West Delaware 292 (12), 2. Vinton-Shellsburg 163 (7), 3. Tipton 157 (2), 4. Anamosa 131 (3), 5. Monticello 121.5 (3), 6. Center Point-Urbana 99 (1).

DISTRICT QUALIFIERS

106 pounds – 1. Brayden Maury (WD), 2. Ethan Long (M)

113 – 1. Aidin Swanson (VS), 2. Jonah Luensman (M)

120 – 1. Carson Less (WD), 2. Carter Lamont (VS)

126 – 1. Jax Miller (WD), 2. Tristin Sorgenfrey (T)

132 – 1. Blake Engel (WD), 2. Kale Hansen (M)

138 – 1. Brent Yonkovic (WD), 2. Easton Wheeler (A)

145 – 1. Cooper Sanderson (VS), 2. Carson Turnis (WD)

152 – 1. Gabe Sanders (VS), 2. Logan Peyton (WD)

160 – 1. Jadyn Peyton (WD), 2. Kaleb Nerem (T)

170 – 1. Brady Ortner (VS), 2. Collin Hoskins (CPU)

182 – 1. Will Ward (WD), 2. Taylor Anderson (VS)

195 – 1. Wyatt Voelker (WD), 2. Curtis Erickson (VS)

220 – 1. Sawyer Falck (WD), 2. Dalton Soper (A)

Hwt. – 1. Cole Sigler (A), 2. Cam Geuther (WD)

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