Okoboji/HMS entertained a trio of wrestling teams January 7 at Milford and came away with one dual win. The Pioneers defeated Manson Northwest Webster 66-18. That victory was sandwiched between close losses to East Sac County (41-33) and Pocahontas Area (42-38).
Okoboji/HMS held a 33-27 lead in the opening dual but East Sac County captured the final three matches and the dual. The Pioneers had rallied from a 30-9 deficit against Pocahontas Area to draw within 30-26 with four matches remaining. The Indians scored six points in each of the next two matches to put the dual out of reach for the host team. Six wins by forfeit gave Okoboji/HMS some breathing room in the victory over the Cougars.
HMS wrestlers participating in the duals meet were Bryce Dodge, Chayton Faulkner, Nick Bronstad and Mitchell Meyers.
Wrestling at 160 pounds, Dodge suffered an opening loss by fall to East Sac County’s Chandler Quirk in 3:44. He received a win by forfeit against Manson NW Webster. Dodge’s win was earned in the finale with the Indians as Ryan Panbecker was the victim of a pin in 3:12.
Bronstad could not recover from the back points scored by East Sac County heavyweight Justin Rupnow and dropped a 6-2 decision. The results were better for Bronstad in the second match where he pinned Brayden Bates of Manson Northwest Webster in 2:56. Next up for Bronstad was the second ranked heavyweight in Class 1A. Pocahontas Area senior Dane Johnson was able to pin the HMS junior in 1:19.
Faulkner was matched against the Raiders’ Garrett Quirk in the opener and lost the 170-pound match by a 14-4 major decision. The HMS senior moved up to 182 pounds against Manson Northwest Webster to give Okoboji/HMS six points via forfeit. Back at 170 pounds and back in action, Faulkner lost by fall to the Indians’ Deontez Williams in 1:24.
Meyers stepped into the 170-pound weight class against Manson Northwest Webster. It paid off for the Pioneers as Meyers pinned fellow sophomore Austin Jaeschke in 2:23).