State wrestling

West Fork gains first state wrestling champ

Published by editor on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 8:40am

DES MOINES — The moment wasn’t too big for all 106 pounds of West Fork sophomore Kale Petersen.

The top-ranked Warhawk wrestler outscored his opponents in the state tournament 61-20 with two falls on his way to the school’s first-ever state wrestling title.

“It feels great, but it’s not only one (I will get),” Petersen said. “I feel like I’ve got two more in me. Hopefully, I’m West Fork’s first three-time state champ.”

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Barkema eighth for second straight year

Published by editor on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 8:35am

DES MOINES – Another year, another state medal for the Bulldogs’ Carl Barkema.

The junior 152-pounder finished eighth for a second consecutive year for coach Patrick Hansen after dropping to the consolation bracket following a loss to top-ranked, seeded and eventual state champion Jack Gaukel of Spirit Lake Park.

Barkema had a tough first round match against Spirit Lake Park’s Zach Jensen, who he pinned in 5 minutes, 22 seconds.

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Cougar freshman gets state experience

Published by editor on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 8:30am

DES MOINES – Kaden Abbas didn’t get the ideal draw at last weekend’s state tournament.

But the 120-pound AGWSR freshman does have a blueprint on what to work on this offseason after going 0-2 during the Class 1A session of the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships on Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

In the first year of having all 16 wrestlers seeded in each bracket at state, Abbas got the 16th seed in the 120-pound bracket. Two-time state champ and undefeated Marcel Lopez of New London got No. 1.