Perry wrestling standout Zachary Thompson has made his collegiate choice, and it is to compete for a familiar face at Loras College in Dubuque.
Former Bluejay head coach Trevor Kittleson is an assistant for the Duhawks under head coach T.J. Miller and was Thompson’s coach for both his freshman and sophomore seasons. Loras competes in Division III and sent four grapplers to the national tournament this season. Having competed at 120 pounds, he is likely to hit the mats at 125 or 133 for Loras.
Thompson will graduate with his name of a lengthy list of Perry school records. He is the all-time career leader with 174 victories, 40 three-point near falls, 103 escapes and a career point total of 1,523. He holds the takedown record (484), the season (13 in 2018) and career (29) standards for technical falls and the season record for points (520 in 2017).
Perry’s only four-time placewinner, Thompson placed sixth, sixth, third and fourth during his quadruple appearances in the state tournament.
He will join classmate 138-pound state champion Zach Stewart at the 40th annual North-South All-Star Wrestling Classic Saturday at the new gym at Charles City. Presented by the Charles City Mat Club, in conjunction with the Iowa National Guard, the event pairs senior state champions and/or place winners against each other in one final prep match, which uses the Folkstyle system.
Thompson with face 113-pound fourth-place finisher Dillon Gottschalk (41-3) of Dubuque Hempstead. Stewart will battle 2A titleist Gable Fox of Don Bosco. The pair met March 10 in Cedar Falls at the War in the West Gym event, with Fox winning by fall at the end of the first period.
Tickets are available at the door for $10 each.
