The 2022 state tournament kicked off Thursday with three Sailors looking to take a step toward earning a spot on the podium. Max Magayna at 160 pounds and Carson Hartz at 182 pounds would both advance on the championship side of the bracket with opening match victories. Gavin Reed would stumble at 120 pounds, dropping his opening bout in a tight decision, but was able to bounce back and win his second match to advance on the consolation side of the bracket.
Gavin Reed would open up the tournament with a match up with Peyton Harger of Earlham. Gavin was in on a shot early in the first period. He was able to get to his favorite waterfall position and finish the shot for the takedown. The period would end 2-1. Gavin chose down to start the second period and was able to reverse his opponent. He was unable to hold him down and gave up the escape to have a 4-2 lead. Gavin was defending a shot near the end of the period and was unable to hold on giving up a takedown to tie the match up 4-4. An escape to start the third period proved to be the difference in the match as Gavin was unable to get another takedown.
Gavin would fall to the backside of the bracket and would meet up with Juan Juarez of Kingsley Pearson. Gavin would score early and often in this match, earning a 10-0 major decision. A reversal and turn for three back points would be plenty of cushion to blow the match wide open and allow Gavin to advance in the consolation round.
At 160 pounds Max Magayna is already looking right at home at the state tournament. He would pick up right where he left off last year with a first period fall. He started off the match bullying his opponent into an early takedown. He was then able to turn his opponent twice for two sets of back points before finishing his opponent off with a pin.
At 182 pounds Carson Hartz would match up with Jamien Moore of Lisbon. Carson was able to open the scoring with a takedown at the edge of the mat. He was able to drag his toes on a slide by to secure the opening two points. A tough ride to finish the period out on top would allow him to finish the first period with a 2-0 advantage. After choosing bottom to start the second period Carson was able to get the escape. He defended a shot and re-attacked taking his opponent to his back and finishing the match with a fall.
Session 2 for 1A will start at 1pm on Friday. Streaming of matches is available on Flowrestling.