From The Mat: Fort Dodge Sending 9, West Hancock Grabs 6 Bids & Other Area Wrestlers Punch State Tickets

Saturday was a frigid day outside but one full of heat seeking action inside, as area wrestlers competed for a place at State. Fort Dodge hosted a 3A District Tournament and had an impressive showing. Other are wrestlers competed in the 1A Districts at Guthrie Center and Sioux Central.

For the 1st time ever, The 3A Districts were simulcasted on radio and on live streaming video online. Fort Dodge had 9 wrestlers advance to the 2021 State Tournament. Dodgers took 1st in the team standings and Ankeny was 2nd. Fort Dodge had five win gold and four silver medalists. Drake Ayala moved up to 132 from his normal 126 and took gold. Ayala’s only loss since his freshman year, came earlier this season at 132 to the #1 ranked wrestler in Iowa in that class. Dru Ayala at 106, Max Bishop at 113, Dreyzon Phillips at 145, and Kody Cook at 160 all had 1st place finishes. Lane Cowell at 120, Demarion Ross at 138, Matt Surles-Davis at 170 and Ben Egli at 182 all qualified with silver medal finishes.

On Sunny 99.7, in the 1A District Tournament from Sioux Central, 9 area wrestlers punched tickets to State. Top 10 ranked, West Hancock is sending 6 to State. Pocahontas Area will have two at State and West Bend Mallard’s Donavan Hanson advanced finishing 2nd at 113. Pocahontas Area’s Dane Johnson took 1st at 285 and teammate Tyce Ruffrudge was 2nd at at 120. West Hancock’s Evan Boothroyd was 2nd at 106, teammate Kellen Smith won gold at 120, Kane Zuehl at 152, Bryer Subject at 160, Matt Francis at 195, and Cole Kelly at 195 all qualified with 2nd place finishes.

The 1A Districts in Guthrie Center aired on 105-9 “The Beach” Saturday. St. Edmond’s Ryan Duckett qualified for State at 120. South Central Calhoun is sending three to State, Kevin King at 145, Blake Mcalister at 170 and Jayden Soard at 220, those three all had 1st place finishes. East Sac’s Garrett Quirk at 160 and teammate Justin Rupnow at 285 both qualified as well.

Alpha Media Sports will present coverage of the 2021 Iowa State Wrestling Tournament this Thursday,Friday and Saturday Feb. 18th-20th. Join Theresa and Tom Hildreth for all the action Thursday and Friday starting at 9AM and Saturday starting at 10AM on “Sunny” 99.7 and here on our website.