11 Area Wrestlers Qualify For 2015 State Championship Matches

On Friday, February 19, 11 Cedar Valley and North East Iowa wrestlers qualified for a chance to win an Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling championship. Each will battle for the title Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

#13 Max Thomsen (145#, Union) has dominated since he arrived in Des Moines. Thomsen has has pinned everyone opponent he has faced so far. During Wednesday's Team Dual Championship Tournament, Thomsen went three-for-three, pinning every challenge. That momentium continued on Thursday and Friday during the traditional tournament scoring three more pins to put himself into the Class 2A 145# championship match.

#5 Jacob Holschlag (170#, Union) continued his career season this week with six wins and five pins. Holschlag scored two pins during the Team Dual competition Wednesday, and tallied three more wins via pin to put him into the Class 2A 170# championship dual.

#7 Chase Straw (152#, Independence) has also had an impressive visit to the capital city. During the Team Dual Championship Tournament, the future Iowa State Cyclone wrestler won all three matches he competed in, two by pinning his opponent. Of his three wins to qualify for his individual Class 2A 152# championship match, two came via pin.

#5 Zach Hickson (195#, Don Bosco, Gilbertville) has pinned three challengers since Wednesday. The first came during the Team Dual Championship competition on Wednesday. Hickson added two more pins during the individual portion on the state championship weekend in Des Moines. Now he will try to add one more when he looks to win the Class 1A 195# individual title.

#1 Derek Holschlag (113#, Union) joined his brother as a championship finalist. His 31 points so far is the highest of any area wrestler representing the Cedar Valley and North East Iowa.

In Class 3A, #3 Bryce Steiert (160#, Waverly-Shell Rock, 2 pins) and #3 Daniel Kelly (138#, Cedar Falls, 1 pin) will battle for a championship in their respective weight class.

In Class 2A, #15 Nick Baumler (170#, North Fayette Valley) and #9 Brent Lammers (182#, West Delaware, Manchester, 1 pin) look to add their names to the 2015 Iowa High School State Wrestling Champions list.

In Class 1A, #13 Blake Meyer (145#, Sumner-Fredericksburg) and #3 Sawyer Amling (152#, Edgewood-Colesburg, 1 pin) will battle for a state championship.

The championship matches are scheduled for Saturday night. Follow along with our 2015 Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament coverage to see who ends up on top of the podium.

Good luck to our area all-star wrestlers as they fight for an Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament championship.

AREA WRESTLERS WHO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES 

CLASS 3A:

• #3 Daniel Kelly (138#, Cedar Falls), 1 pin
• #3 Bryce Steiert (160#, Waverly-Shell Rock), 2 pins

CLASS 2A:

• #1 Derek Holschlag (113#, Union) (1 pin during Team Dual)
• #13 Max Thomsen (145#, Union), 3 pins (3 pins during Team Dual)
• #7 Chase Straw (152#, Independence), 2 pins (2 pins during Team Dual)
• #5 Jacob Holschlag (170#, Union), 3 pins (2 pins during Team Dual)
• #15 Nick Baumler (170#, North Fayette Valley) 0 pins
• #9 Brent Lammers (182#, West Delaware, Manchester), 1 pin

CLASS 1A:

• #13 Blake Meyer (145#, Sumner-Fredericksburg) 0 pins
• #3 Sawyer Amling (152#, Edgewood-Colesburg), 1 pin
• #5 Zach Hickson (195#, Don Bosco, Gilbertville), 2 pins (1 pin during Team Dual)