ALLEMAN — The Woodward-Granger wrestlers opened their season Tuesday with a pair of wins in a triangular at North Polk. The Hawks topped the hosts, 41-30, after opening action with a 66-15 humbling of South Hamilton.
In the process senior Gabe Yingst won by pinfall and by decision at 160 pounds to reach the 100-win threshold for his career. The two team wins also marked a milestone moment, as head coach Dave Smeltzer earned his 100th coaching victory.
Yingst was one of nine W-G wrestlers to win both of their matches Tuesday.
Junior Iowa State recruit Cody Fisher, twice the state runner-up at 195, has moved up to 220, where he is ranked number one in Class 2A. Fisher scored a pair of pinfall wins to begin his march to the top of the state tourney podium.
Heavyweight Tyler Lawrenson won twice by fall, as did Kade Polich (182). Cale Pritchett (170) won by major decision and fall, Matthew White (126) by decision and fall, Dustin Harney (145) by decision and forfeit, Aiden Honkomp (113) by major decision and forfeit and Joel Harney (106) twice via forfeit.
Jayden Dorenkamp (138) had both a win and a loss by pinfall, as did Colt Palmer (132) while Dilynn Lewiston and Tjaden Smeltzer each losing once by fall at 120. Joebe Nevins (152) and Nathaniel Rosen (195) were both in action twice, both losing twice by fall.
The Hawks will host the annual Dennis Field Invitational Saturday, with action to begin at 9 a.m. Colfax-Mingo, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Martensdale-St. Marys, Roland-Story, Southeast Warren and West Des Moines Valley are all expected to compete. The invite is the only home appearance by the W-G matmen until a triangular Jan. 15.
