Perry hosted ADM, Boone and Woodward-Granger for a quadrangular Tuesday, taking the opportunity to recognize seven wrestlers, three team managers and five cheerleaders for their contributions to the program.
Perry was handed a 58-17 loss by W-G in their opening dual, then suffered a 42-38 setback to ADM before responding with a 48-31 win over Boone. In other duals, W-G topped ADM, 42-27, and Boone, 58-21, with Boone a 42-37 victor over ADM.
While there was plenty of mat action to discuss, Perry head coach Mark Weber opted to focus on the seniors.
“Tonight was bittersweet — the rest of the coaches and I will surely miss each of senior wrestlers, managers and cheerleaders,” Weber said. “Each of of them has their own unique personality, talents, and gifts they carry with them to each practice, meet, and tournament.”
“The best part is that all of our wrestlers have taken different paths as they have grown as young adults, but I am grateful their paths merged through wrestling,” he added. “I hope they take the words and intangibles that we preach in the (wrestling) room with them wherever their future takes them.”
Zachary Thompson, Zach Stewart, Alexander Tapia, Angel Escobar, Bryan Catalan, Daniel Brinton and Miguel Gonzalez will graduate and leave the program after this year, with managers T.J. Sheehy, Ana Bivanco and Samantha Macias also moving on. Five cheerleaders — Marqui Craddock, Selena Garcia, Abbi Martelli, Saydee Strough and Beira Vaca — all rooted for the Jays at home for the final time Tuesday.
“Our senior managers have also spent many early mornings and long weekends with us and they always bring a fun attitude with them, no matter how cold or early the bus ride,” Weber related. “Their hard work behind the scenes is valued and appreciated.”
“The hard work by the cheerleaders to help create an exciting environment at h ome and away is amazing,” he concluded. “They have also provided our wrestlers with “pin” pins (beaded safety pins) every time they record a fall.”
Stewart earned three such pins from his classmates Tuesday, as the second-ranked 138-pounder improved to 43-4 with a trio of wins by fall.
Thompson also claimed three victories. Now 33-4, the fourth-rated 120-pounder won by technical fall and twice with pins.
Also 3-0 for Perry was fifth-ranked Kaleb Olejniczak, who used two pins and a forfeit to lift his season mark to 38-5.
Jacob Nelson scored a win by pin and received a forfeit to finish 2-1 at 132, with Brinton 2-1 at 170 with a pair of forfeits.
Erick Funez claimed a decision in finishing 1-2 at 160, with Justin Stammer 1-2 at 145 with a tech fall victory while Riece Graham (106 pounds), Jonathan Silva (182) and Tapia (220) were all 1-2 with wins from forfeits. Bryan Funez (152) was also in action but was not able to come away with a win.
Perry left the 113, 195 and 285-pound weight classes open.
Perry will join Humboldt and one other school for a quadrangular at Ballard Thursday, then will return to Ballard Saturday for the Raccoon River Conference tournament.
Now in Class 3A, the Bluejays will not compete Feb. 3 and will await the District 8 Tournament Feb. 10 at noon. Held at Waukee, the tourney will feature the Bluejays and host Warriors along with Ankeny, Carroll, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, Glenwood and Norwalk. The winner and runner-up in each weight class will advance to the state wrestling tournament.
