DES MOINES — Sophomore Wyatt Appleseth (39-4) responded to a first round loss with a win to advance to Friday’s Class 1A second round consolation at the State wrestling tournament today while senior teammate Garret Fox was eliminated with a pair of losses.
Appleseth, rated eighth at 145 pounds, lost a 14-4 major decision to No. 5 Duke Kyle (46-2) a senior from Missouri Valley.
He blanked South Central Calhoun freshman Blake McAlister (35-11) with an 11-0 major decision to move to Friday’s 9 a.m. session.
Appleseth will keep his hopes for a second consecutive state medal (he was 8th at 126 last year) alive.if he defeats the loser of No.3 Emmetsburg senior Spencer Griffin (41-1) and ninth-ranked Don Bosco senior Max Wettengel (40-6).
A win would lift the sophomore into the third round consolation at 7:30 p.m. and assure a medal.
Fox ran into a pair of buzzsaws, losing by fall to No.6 Cael Rahnabardi (30-5) of Don Bosco in 3 minutes, 38 seconds. He then lost by fall, in 59 seconds, to North Mahaska senior Luke Groves (24-5).
Fox ends his final season with a 32-16 record for head coach Jason Kirtley’s squad.
