Two Jag wrestlers brought home hardware from the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament, 120 lbs Jr Caelan Oakes-Sudish placed eighth with his first career state medal and Sr Heavyweight Aaron Graves placed fourth for a second year in Class 2A. 160 lb Sr Harley Bryson battled hard but didn't place. 

   "This was one of those tournaments where the wrestlers and coaches had Highs and Lows emotionally in a matter of rounds. Coming of Caelan's big win in the consolation round Friday morning and Aaron's win in the quarters we were feeling pretty good but Friday afternoon's semi final round kicked us in the gut as Caelan was defeated in his consolation semi and Aaron lost a heartbreaker in the semi finals. Saturday mornings placing round continued with the emotional swing. Caelan lost a tough battle for 7th place but Aarron wrestled a good match against his West Delaware opponent but lost another close heartbreaker in his third place match." 

   Bryson opened the tournament with eventual State Champ Nicholas Fox of Osage losing by tech fall, 19-1. Harley battled back in the backside but lost a 11-1 major to his East Marshall opponent finishing the season at 33-19. 

   Oakes-Sudish opened with a 6-2 decision over Brodie Conner of Albia, then lost to 3rd ranked Lane Scorpil of Columbus Junction 11-4. In the consolation quarters Oakes probably wrestled his best match of the tournament by pinning Algona's Tate Slagle in the third period ensuring Oakes a top eight finish. In the consolation semi's lost by fall to Amare Chavez of South Tama County putting him in the 7th place match where he was defeated by CJ Davis of West Burlington. Oakes gets another crack at climbing the podium next year in his Senior season.  

   Graves opened with a first period pin against Quinten Fuller of Creston. In the quarters Graves pinned Logan Green of Clarinda in an exciting match pacing him against eventual champion Easton Fleshman of West Lyon in Friday's semifinals. Graves was leading 1-0 going into the third period when a very quick locking hands call quickly changed the complexion of the match, tying the score 1-1. Graves had to cut Fleshman loose making the score 2-1 with Graves trying to score a much needed takedown in the third. Unfortunately, a very defense minded Fleshman blocked a takedown attempt late and scored giving Fleshman a 4-1 decision. Graves showcased a good takedown clinic for a big man, beating Cameron Guether 11-4. Graves jumped out to a 4-1 lead against Ethan Hooyer of Sioux Center but ran into some trouble in the third period as Aaron couldn't quite get an escape and found himself in a couple of pickles showing some of his inexperience giving up two sets of quick backpoints losing 8-5. 

   Even with some disappointing outcomes, the coaching staff was proud of the three wrestlers in Des Moines. They wrestled hard and we enjoyed the experience together.