DES MOINES, Iowa — An outstanding final prep season ended Saturday night for Panorama’s Cooper Andersen when the 220-pound senior stepped onto the Class 1A seventh-place spot on the podium at the state wrestling tournament.
Andersen finished 38-4 after entering as the fifth-ranked grappler by IA Wrestle. His run started Thursday with a pin, in 5 minutes, 45 seconds, of Sigourney senior Conner Reed (39-5), who was ranked 10th.
That set up a quarterfinal bout Friday with Don Bosco junior Jared Thiry (38-2), with the eventual champion winning by fall in 2:18.
Dropped into the consolation bracket, Andersen put South Winneshiek senior Tony Greve’s (36-9) shoulders to the mat in 3:26 to ensure a spot on the podium.
South Central Calhoun senior Jayden Soard (51-3) defeated Andersen in 3:49, setting up a seventh-place match between the Panther senior and West Branch sophomore Logan Wright (46-9).
Andersen was in control throughout early Saturday, eventually recording an 8-1 victory by decision to earn his final placing.
Fellow Panorama senior James Hein (24-9) survived the first day of action at 195-pounds before bowing out Friday in the second round of the consolation bracket.
Hein was pinned, in 2:22, by Underwood senior (41-14), who was ranked sixth and eventually placed eighth. The Panther matman responded by scoring an 8-1 decision over AHST sophomore Nate Jorgensen (14-17) to advance.
That created a second-round consolation battle Friday with third-ranked Emmetsburg seniors Matthew Wirtz (41-2), with Wirtz — who went on to place fourth — winning by fall in 1:56.
Also in action for Panorama was sophomore Tage Monahan (13-11), who competed at 113 pounds.
Monahan lost by fall in 1:27 in his first match, giving way to second-ranked and eventual state champion Eli Becerra (36-2) of Missouri Valley. Dropped into the consolation bracket, Monahan was pinned by North Union freshman Landon Price (37-5) in 2:35.
The Panthers are coached by Jason Kirtley. He is assisted by Garrett Johnston and Ben McDaniel.
