HARLAN — Sophomore Cody Fisher will be making his second consecutive appearance at the Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament Thursday, and he will be joined by senior Ryan Munoz, who will competing on the big stage for the first time.
Fisher (53-2) was 46-6 last season in finishing as the state runner-up at 195 pounds. He will return at 195 and seek a second appearance on the podium — in particular a second shot at the top honor. His next win in pursuit of that goal will give the standout career triumph 100 in just his second prep campaign.
Munoz, 37-20 at 120 pounds, will be pursuing a podium spot as well, which can only be achieved if a wrestler wins two matches before he is handed a second loss.
Both advanced from Saturday’s District Tourney in Harlan with runner-up placings in their weight respective divisions. Four other Hawk grapplers were in action, but were unable to secure spots in Des Moines.
Senior Austin Scharlau, who advanced to the state tourney last season, saw his hopes for a repeat appearance at 152 vanish in a tough bracket.
Scharlau lost by fall to Red Oak’s Justin McCunn in his first match, but bounced back to pin Payton Fewson of Atlantic/CAM in 1 minute, 46 seconds. Unfortunately, McCunn lost in the finals to drop into the second-place match, and, by virtue of having already defeated Scharlau, advanced by rule (prior). Scharlau bows out at 39-17.
Fellow senior Hunter Pierce (38-17) was eliminated after consecutive losses at 106, with Dillon Fogarty (35-20) bounced after back-to-back losses at 220.
Also competing was 160-pounder Gabe Yingst. Kuemper Catholic’s Zak Hulsing topped Yingst, 8-3, in the first round, with Yingst beating Creston/O-M’s Kolby Tomas, 11-5. Hulsing advanced by prior after losing in the finals, ending a strong season for Yingst at 44-10.
The third-ranked grappler at 195, Fisher opened with a 9-2 win over Shenandoah’s Cole Nebel. The win set up a showdown with second-ranked senior Nick Foss (37-1) of Harlan, but Fisher injured his arm less than 15 seconds into the match, and, after consultation with trainers, was advised not to continue. He advanced with a prior as Nebel won the consolation match.
Munoz began his fateful day with an 8-4 decision against Ethan Lemon of Harlan. A loss by fall to Winterset’s Bryce Hatten imperiled Munoz’s chances as Steele McLaren of Atlantic/CAM defeated Lemon in the consolation round, forcing a wrestle-back. Munoz promptly scored a pin in 1:56, nailing down a spot at the state tourney.
The Class 2A State Tournament begins at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
