DES MOINES — Panorama wrestling head coach Jason Kirtley wasted no time in expressing his thoughts about the 2020 Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament results for his two qualifiers.
“I could not be happier, could not be more proud,” he said after junior Wyatt Appleseth placed third at 152 pounds and senior Emry Colby fourth at 145 Saturday. “Wyatt entered as the fifth seed and is third, and Emry wasn’t even seeded and he reached fourth. Outstanding.”
Appleseth (42-1) was ranked fourth for most of the season. He began his climb up the podium with a decisive 6-0 decision over Emmetsburg senior Bret Hoyman (40-9) in the consolation semifinals.
He drew North Polk senior Logan Engebretson (44-8) in the third place match after the Comet senior, ranked ninth, had outscored sixth-rated Winterset junior Tyler Brown (42-8), 14-11, in their consolation semifinal.
Appleseth was in control all the way, claiming third with a 5-2 win.
“He was very determined today,” Kirtley said of Appleseth. “He was very good on his feet, and when he is you can see just how good he is.”
Appleseth was eighth at 132 pounds as a freshman and missed the podium after qualifying as a sophomore.
Colby had been stopped three consecutive years in the district tourney before taking the last step this season. He earned a consolation semifinal spot Friday by defeating long-time nemesis and third-ranked Jack West (41-4) of Winterset, who had several career wins over Colby until the Panther star recorded a 3-2 decision. West finished seventh.
Colby drew North Polk junior Nicholas Bockenstedt (30-10) and led, 8-3, before Bockendstedt complained of an injury. He trailed, 10-3, when he retired to injury at 2 minutes, 10 seconds, en route to finishing fifth.
The consolation final pitted Colby against No. 2 Jack Thomsen of LaPorte City Union (46-3), a senior who was the 2019 state champion at 138. Thomsen won by fall in 1:45.
“He (Colby) told me Friday before his match with West that he was going to do it, and he did,” Kirtley said. “That gave him plenty of confidence for today.”
“It is too bad the kid (Bockenstedt) was hurt, because I know Colby didn’t want to win that way, but it happens,” the coach added. “Thomsen was just too tough, and Colby was satisfied, so there was nothing to be upset about.”
Kirtley said both wrestlers had every reason to be proud.
“Third and fourth? Sure, you would like to be higher, but those are outstanding efforts,” Kirtley said. “A great result, for sure.”
