Five Sailors Reach Finals of North Tama Invitational

The Sailors traveled to Traer for the 75th edition of the North Tama Invitational. The Sailors would bring a larger lineup than they did last week at Hudson, as some of the younger wrestlers got into the mix of varsity competition this week. Still dealing with some practice room injuries, the Sailor lineup was still not at full strength, however the boys were feeling dangerous today and were ready to scrap all the same. Sailors battled for a third place finish in the team standings. 5 out of 11 Sailor wrestlers reached the finals, with 4 champions being crowned. Winning titles for the Sailors were Gavin Reed, Max Magayna, Carson Hartz, and Mason Knipp.

At 132 pounds, Gavin Reed squared off against Dan McLaughlin of Sigourney Keota in the finals. This would be a rematch from the Hudson tournament last weekend. These two wrestlers met in the semi-finals with Reed winning by fall in the second period. This match would go in a similar direction, with Gavin securing the opening takedown. A late escape by McLaughlin would have Gavin taking a 2-1 lead into the second period. Gavin would win the toss and chose to start down. He timed up a switch perfectly and then worked a turn from there to once again defeat his opponent with a second period fall, six seconds faster than last week. With the win, Gavin became only the 8th wrestler to be a four time champion of the North Tama Invitational in the tournaments 75 year history.

At 170 pounds, it was once again a rematch from the Hudson Invitational as #1 ranked Max Magayna would faceoff with #3 ranked Jack Clarahan of Sigourney Keota. The action opened with Max on the attack, but Clarahan is a shifty wrestler on his feet. He evaded the initial shot and was briefly behind Magayna before Max scrambled back to a neutral position. Clarahan may have avoided the initial shot, but he could not prevent the second shot. Max would secure the take down, and in came the legs from the top position. Just as he did last week, he was able to turn his opponent for a first period fall. Max earned first place on the day with just 1:50 of mat time.

At 182 pounds, Carson Hartz was looking to make a statement against potential district opponent and #6 ranked Giles Cowell from Tripoli. After a tense first period, Carson was in on multiple shots, but was not awarded takedowns from the match official, the first period would end scoreless. Carson would chose to start the second period down, and was quickly up to his feet for an escape. He would get back on the offensive, scoring a takedown on the edge of the mat and worked a turn from there, securing the back points. While working for the fall his opponent slipped out of the pinning combination and escaped back to his feet. Carson would take a 6-1 advantage into the third period looking to expand his lead. Carson would tack on an additional takedown in the third. An argument could be made that an additional pair of takedowns and a set of back points were scored, but the official saw things differently. Carson would win the 182 pound bracket with a commanding 8-2 victory.

At 220 pounds, Mason Knipp bulldozed his way through the bracket with three first period falls. There was a conversation in the weigh in lines that the BGM 220 pounder was going to give Knipp all that he could handle today. Well as it turns out, he would get his chance in the finals as Knipp toed the line with BGM’s own Connor Cooling. Mason blasted a double right off the opening whistle, and it was all downhill from there. Mason secured the fall after just 20 seconds securing the championship at 220 pounds.

At 285 pounds Connor Knudtson looked to improve on his 2nd place finish last weekend at Hudson. He would once again find himself in the finals, this time facing off against Aiden McFadden from Baxter. Connor started off the match in solid position, defending off his opponent’s attacks, and working under hooks of his own. Near the end of the first period on an edge of the mat situation, McFadden was able to finally get a takedown and would take the lead into the second period. In the second, Connor was looking to attack and shot down to a leg. His opponent was able to trap Connor underneath on the shot attempt and use his weight advantage from there to earn the fall. Knudtson finished the day in second place.

Also reaching the podium for the Sailors were Henry Erie at 195 pounds, and Carter Seilger. Both wrestlers finished the day in third place.

Sailors will be back in action on Saturday January 28th for the NICL Conference Tournament.