Sailor Mat Club
- Feb 12, 2022
- 4 min read

Three Sailors Advance to State Tournament

A seasons worth of work all comes down to 6 minutes. If you win, you advance to the State Tournament, the goal that all wrestlers work toward for the entire year. If you lose, you go home with nothing, ending your season one step away from a trip to the Well. That is what makes post season wrestling so intense, there is no room for error,. The stakes are high, but the payoff of being a state qualifier makes it all worth it.

The four Sailor wrestlers that navigated their way to the district tournament would take the mat at the Cyclone Center in Denver Iowa, each hoping to secure a state tournament appearance next week in Des Moines. Three wrestlers made that dream a reality, Max Magayna would take the championship at 160 pounds, and joining him as district runner ups are Gavin Reed at 120 pounds and Carson Hartz at 182 pounds.

At 120 pounds Gavin Reed was able to start off the day on the front foot, securing the opening takedown of the match against Liam Stockberger of Newman Catholic. He was able to catch his opponent hanging his head, and stacked him up for the first period fall. This would set up yet another rematch with #1 ranked Garret Rinken of Nashua Plainfield. Gavin was able to keep the match close through two periods, but a late turn in the 3rd allowed the Nashua wrestler to build up a sizeable lead to close out the match with a major decision. There would be no wrestle back opportunity on the consolation side of the bracket, and Gavin will be a state qualifier with a second place finish.

At 160 pounds, Max Magayna was able to secure a takedown 15 seconds into his opening match. He wasted no time moving on to the finals, pinning his opponent in the first period. The finals was another rematch with #3 ranked Lawson Losee of Riceville, the third matchup on the year between these two wrestlers. Max wrestled a very clean match, being aggressive and securing a takedown to get on top early. He was only able to turn his opponent once in the match for two near fall points. But a reversal and ride out in the second period would prove to be an insurmountable lead. Max would win the match by major decision and will be heading to State as the district champion.

At 182 pounds, Carson Hartz would face sectional champion Tyler Mills from Northwood Kensett. Carson took numerous shots in the first period, but was unable to secure a takedown early. The breakthrough came at the edge of the mat as time was running out on the period. Carson hit a slide by out of the tie and was able to score a two point takedown to take a lead into the second period. He would continue to build on that lead in the second with an early escape, followed by a takedown. Carson would take this matchup with an 8-1 decision. This would set up a finals rematch with #1 ranked Tate Entriken from Hudson. There were numerous good flurries in this match, but Carson was unable to convert those into points. The Hudson wrestler would win this matchup 12-3. There would be no wrestle back from the consolation side of the bracket, and Carson advances to State with a second place finish.

At 220 pounds, Connor Knudtson would meet up with sectional champion Wyatt Hanna of Lake Mills. Connor was in on a shot early, but was unable to secure the early takedown and would eventually give up the takedown off of his initial shot. This reversal of fortunes seemed to change the complexion of the match and the Lake Mills wrestler extended his lead for a 10-1 victory. That loss would drop Connor to the 3rd place match against Marshal Schlader of Rockford. Connor would need to win his matchup and also need the Lake Mills wrestler to win the 1st place match in order to earn a wrestle back opportunity for true second place. Connor found himself in the down position in a tie match at 7 points apiece late in the third period. On the other mat, the Lake Mills wrestler pinned his opponent, making the wrestle back possibility a reality if Connor could pull out a victory. Unfortunately that opportunity could not become a reality as Connor could not hang on for the victory and would have to settle for a 4th place finish on the day.

The state qualifiers will take the mat for the opening round this on Thursday February 17th. The 1A session will begin at 6 pm at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.