The 2024-2025 Jaguar wrestling team opened the season at Manson in a Quadrangular with the Cougars, Panorama Panthers, and Coon Rapids Crusaders. The young and fairly inexperienced squad dropped three duals for the night, succumbing to the Cougars in the first dual 63-18, 42-39 in the second dual to Panorama, and falling to Coon Rapids-Bayard 41-30 to close the night. Two Freshman led the Jags, 120 pounder Wyatt Blair and 126 pounder Keelan Wellman finished 3-0 for the night. Junior 132 lbs. Allan Summers, Junior 138 lbs Colin Johnson and Sophomore 215 lbs. Kyle Eastman finished 2-1. Freshman 157 lbs. Colton Haug had his first taste of Varsity action and Junior 165 lbs. Oliver Riehl finished 0-3. In JV action, Caden Milham(132 Lbs) had a strong night finishing 2-0 and first year wrestler Blaise Echevarria(138)experienced his first ever mat time finishing 0-3.

   Unfortunately, the Jags were down a few regulars in the lineup due illness and injury, leaving the squad with eight Varsity wrestlers in the lineup which makes it difficult to come out on top with a victory. Also, the young squad doesn’t feature a senior wrestler to give the squad some much needed leadership and experience to guide the team. The team came out a little flat against Manson but bounced back against Panorama and Coon Rapids, wrestling more aggressively and staying in better position.

   “Our guys have to focus on getting better in every phase of wrestling. With their lack of experience, our guys get caught in positions they haven’t seen, so they make mistakes costing them in their matches. Our freshman did a nice job on opening night, Wyatt and Keelan wrestled hard in their matches and Caden also stayed aggressive in his JV matches. Junior Allen Summers also recorded his first Varsity win with a fall against his Manson opponent.

Gilbert Duals

   With a one day turn around the Jags traveled to Gilbert on Saturday December 7th to compete in the competitive Gilbert Duals featuring 2A programs Eagle Grove, Iowa Falls Alden, and Gilbert and strong 3A programs featuring their JV Squads. The Jags knew it would be a step up in competition falling in all five of their duals. The young squad had a difficult time matching physicality with their opponents throughout the day struggling at times to escape from underneath, controlling ties, and riding and pinning. Down to seven wrestlers in the Varsity lineup and freshman Caden Milham stepping in at 132, the Jags opened with Johnston JV losing 66-12, Gilbert 71-12, Iowa Falls-Alden 64-6, Eagle Grove 48-13, and SE Polk JV 49-24. Freshman Wyatt Blair(120 lbs.) led the way going 4-1, Junior Oliver Riehl(165) finished 3-2, and Keelan Wellman(126), Junior Colin Johnson(138), Freshman Colton Haug(157), and Sophomore Kyle Eastmen(215) finished 1-4 for the day.