DES MOINES, Iowa — Panorama 220-pounder Cooper Andersen advanced on the winner’s side of his 1A bracket Thursday at the state wrestling tournament, with fellow senior James Hein (195 pounds) remaining alive in the consolation side.
Sophomore Tage Monahan, competing at 113, was eliminated after suffering a pair of losses.
Andersen (35-2) is ranked fifth in 1A and moved on with a pin, in 5 minutes, 45 seconds, of 10th-ranked Conner Reid (39-5, Sr.) of Sigourney. The win sets up a Friday quarterfinal battle against No. 3 Jared Thiry (35-2, Jr) of Don Bosco.
A win moves Andersen to the semifinals, while a loss would drop him to the consolation bracket, where a win would keep the senior in contention for a podium spot.
Hein (23-7) suffered a loss by fall, in 2:22, to Underwood senior Carter Davis (40-11), who is rated sixth. That set up a do-or-die match with AHST sophomore Nat Jorgensen (14-17), with Hein winning an 8-1 decision.
He will face the loser of Friday’s quarterfinal between No. 3 Matthew Wirtz (38-0, Sr.) of Emmetsburg and No. 4 Brodie Andersen (38-3, Sr.) of NW Webster. A victory would keep Hein in position for a podium placing.
Both Andersen and Hein will compete in Session 5, which begins at 2:30 p.m. Advancers will return for Session 6, the semifinals, at 7:30 p.m.
