DES MOINES — The Perry wrestling team sent a trio of grapplers to the opening session of the Class 2A state tournament Thursday and came away with one of each of the three possible outcomes.
Senior Kaleb Olejniczak (44-1) moved into the 138-pound quarterfinals with a victory in his first match, with freshman Cole Nelson (35-14) staying alive in the 106-pound consolation bracket after rebounding from a loss with a win while junior Jacob Nelson (32-16) bounced after a pair of losses at 132 pounds.
Olejniczak looked impressive in his first round triumph. He was in command throughout against Carlisle senior Troy Schnathorst (36-10), scoring a 16-3 major decision.
He and Cole Nelson will both be in action in the 2:30 p.m. session. A win from the latter or an upset loss by the former would push the pair into a third-round consolation match at 7:30 p.m.
Second-ranked Olejniczak, of course, is seeking to wrestle in the 7:30 p.m. session in the quarterfinals. He faces West Delaware freshman and seventh-rated Jadyn Payton (37-7), who was beaten in sudden victory I by the Perry standout earlier this season in the title match of the Bluejay Invitational.
Third-ranked Crestwood frosh Carter Fousek (37-4) grabbed an early lead and held on to top Cole Nelson, 8-4, in their opening round tussle. Nelson rebounded by pinning Atlantic freshman Garrett McLaren (40-15) in 97 seconds to stay alive.
He awaits the quarterfinal loser of the duel between seventh-ranked Webster City freshman Camron Phetxoumphone (37-4) and No. 2 freshman Blaine Frazier (44-3) of Burlington Notre Dame.
Jacob Nelson was handed a 15-0 technical fall, in 5:16, by third-ranked junior Jalen Schropp of Williamsburg in his first match. He fell into an early 6-1 hole against Louisa-Muscatine senior Cody Calvelage (31-6), but rallied to close with 11-7 before dropping a 12-7 decision and having his strong season end at the state tourney.
