DES MOINES — Never before. As in, not a single time. Zip. Zero. Na-da.
Until Saturday, that is how many times the Panorama wrestling program sent three of their matmen to the medal stand at the state wrestling tournament.
Seniors George Appleseth and Tyler Van Houten and junior Gunnar Grunsted changed all of that with the mandate for all medalists at the Iowa showcase: win twice before losing twice and you will stand on the podium.
Appleseth (44-11) entered the tourney ranked 10th at 132 pounds but placed sixth. A three-time qualifier, he had missed the podium in his first two trips, but made good Saturday.
He suffered a 9-2 loss to third-ranked Cooper Siebrecht (51-9, Jr.) of Lisbon in the consolation semifinals to enter the fifth-place match, where fourth-rated Joshua Tibbits (39-4, So.) of Martesndale-St. Marys scored a 16-5 major decision.
Van Houten (53-5) came into the state tourney as the eighth-ranked 152-pounder and placed seventh. He wrestled once Saturday, defeating ninth-rated Sawyer Phillips (22-5, Sr.) of Pleasantville to earn his spot.
Grunsted (45-12) was unranked, but finished the highest of the trio by placing fifth at 170 pounds. He lost by fall to No. 4 Trent Kruger (49-4, Sr.) of Sibley-Ocheyedan in the consolation semifinals, but responded with a Sudden Victory 1, 3-1, win over sixth-ranked Bryce Werderman (48-10, Jr.) of Lisbon for fifth.
Although not making the medal stand, Panther junior Dalton Holmes (44-11) qualified for the state tourney at 195 pounds, while junior Dan Jensen (27-20) competed at 285 pounds.
