For the first time since the 2005 season, Columbus Wrestling will send 4 qualifiers to the state tournament next week in Des Moines. Gavin Reed at 113, Sam Hackett at 138, Max Magayna at 152, and Carson Hartz at 170 have all punched their tickets for State.
Coach Boleyn was pleased with his team’s results today. “I feel like we came out and wrestled our style of wrestling, the message going in was to go out here and be aggressive, and score points and they really came through today. We just need to continue to wrestle like we’ve been wrestling next week. We have been pretty solid on our feet, and we’re good on the mat, so just continue to wrestle with confidence in ourselves and that we can wrestle with anybody. We have been telling them all year that they belong in these tough matches and I think getting four guys down to State proves to them that they belong and can beat anybody. Just getting four guys to Des Moines is a pretty big accomplishment for us. It has been since 2005 that we had that many qualifiers. We have spent a ton of time and put in the work to try and build this program back up. It is nice to see those efforts finally paying off for us, and getting multiple qualifiers is just the start. Having a bunch of state qualifiers says a lot to the other guys we have in the program, and shows we are moving in the right direction. We’ll see how the brackets look on Sunday, but I like all of our guy’s chances to finish on the podium next week.”
The state tournament is the goal that every wrestler across the state works for year in and year out. Wrestling on the biggest stage for Iowa high school wrestling is a different experience than wrestling a normal dual or weekend tournament. It comes with a different set of pressures and challenges. Managing those challenges will be one of the keys to success for the Sailor wrestlers. Coach Boleyn thinks this group is up to the task. “I think the biggest thing they need to do is just to focus on their match. Don’t focus too much on the surroundings. They have all been down there before wrestling either in State, or in AAU. So they have been in the arena before, they have wrestled in front of a lot of people before. So I am not too worried about the environment being too big for them. We will have their mindset right, focusing on one match at a time and scoring points, so as long as were scoring points, we will be able to put ourselves in position to pick up some wins.”
Sam Hackett is the only returning state qualifier for the Sailors and has the advantage of already having one state tournament under his belt. Sam is ready for one last tournament for his senior year, “I accomplished one of my goals for this season and made it back to Wells. My main goal for State is just keep believing in myself, last year was my first time down there and I don’t think I did a very good job of believing in myself. I think that really showed in my performance and I only ended up going 1-2. This year I get another opportunity to go compete again, I want to be up on the podium this time.”
Carson Hartz and Gavin Reed were both district qualifiers last year, they didn’t make it over the hump and their seasons both ended at Districts last year. This year was a different story and both reached the next level and qualified. Gavin was happy with his Districts performance today, “I wrestled pretty well today. I came closer to winning my finals match today, didn’t quite get that done, but still qualified for State so I’m happy with that. I need to be a little faster on bottom and moving faster overall. My first state tournament, the first thing I want to do is win a match. Just take things one match at a time and hopefully I can find a way to place.”
Carson Hartz was disappointed not to qualify last year, he has been working to make sure he is on the mat in Des Moines this year. “I feel pretty good, I think that I’ve really put the work in to be successful. What really helped me was going up to Immortals and the extra practices we have been doing. I think doing that extra work when other kids aren’t working has been one of the turning points for me and has helped me take my wrestling to the next level. Down in Des Moines, I am going to give it 100%. If I wrestle to the best of my ability I think that I can win a few matches, I just have to keep my mentality where it needs to be and take it one match at a time.”
Max Magayna continued his dominant season, cruising through districts with two first period pins. The first goal of his season has been realized, but he knows it’s only a stepping stone to where he ultimately wants to be. Max is ready to go for next week, “I accomplished the first goal of my season, and that was to get to Des Moines. Now I’m looking for the top of the podium and a State Championship, it’s as simple as that.”
Individual State Tournament for class 1A first round and 1st round consolations will begin Thursday February 18 at 9am. Live stream will be through Trackwrestling, and will not be available on the Columbus Wrestling Facebook Page. Seating will be limited due to Covid 19 protocols. All ticketing will be allocated through the school, any updates for available tickets will be communicated through the Columbus Wrestling Facebook Page. State Tournament apparel is available for purchase. Deadline will be Monday 2/15. Link to the order form is available on the Facebook page.
Ring the Bell!
IHSAA 1A District 2
113 Gavin Reed
Vs Zane Keim (Iowa Valley)- W Dec 6-1
Vs Andrew Kimball (Don Bosco)- L Dec 6-3
Finishes in 2nd place
113 pound State Qualifier
138- Sam Hackett
Vs Marcus Kolesar (HLV)- W Fall 0:43
Vs Karter Krapfl (Hudson)- L Dec 4-0
Finishes in 2nd place
138 pound State Qualifier
152- Max Magayna
Vs Gavin Ward (BEPL)- W Fall 0:54
Vs Gunnar Kenney (Alburnett)- W Fall 0:40
Finishes in 1st place
152 pound State Qualifier
170- Carson Hartz
Vs Jack Schween (Bepl)- W Fall 1:38
Vs Cade Tenold (Don Bosco)- L Dec 6-0
Finishes in 2nd place
170 pound State Qualifier
195- Mason Knipp
Vs Jeramie Kane (BGM)- L Tech Fall 20-5
Vs Ashton Moore (English Valley)- W Fall 0:54
Finishes in 3rd place
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