Strother places sixth at AAU state wrestling

Published by editor on Tue, 02/28/2023 - 12:58pm

Pictured left to right are: AAU Wrestlers Brooks Varrelmann, Joe Powers, Briggs Gruelke, Maddox Strother, Joe Weinandy and Will Varrelmann at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb 25.

By:

John Jensen

Mid-America Publishing

DES MOINES - Hampton-Dumont/CAL’s Madox Strother placed sixth in his division of the AAU State Wrestling Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Strother, wrestling for the Team Valley Wrestling Club, was sixth at 70 pounds in Division B. He advanced to Sunday’s semifinals by going 3-0 Saturday with all of his wins by fall.

Five other local wrestlers competed in the tournament for Hampton Dumont. In the B Division at 128 pounds, Brooks Varrelmann went 2-2 Saturday and came just short of reaching the placing rounds. He won a 9-4 decision in his opening match before dropping his second. On the consolation side of the bracket, Varrelmann won a 7-0 decision before suffering a second loss and being eliminated.

In the C Division, Joe Powers went 1-2 at 145 pounds, dropping his first match before coming back with a fall on the back side of the bracket. He suffered a loss in the next round and was unable to advance further. Will Varrelmann, Joseph Weinandy and Briggs Gruelke dropped both of their matches at the tournament and also did not advance to the placing rounds.