Luensman reaches state quarterfinals, goes 1-2 for tourney

     Kain Luensman won one out of three matches during the State Class 2A Wrestling Tournament Feb. 20-21 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

     “Wrestling is a sport that will teach you the hardest of lessons,” Monticello coach Ryan Luensman said. “Kain had a great year, but I know he wants more.”

     Luensman opened against Blake Abrahamson of Okoboji Milford, and scored a 13-3 major decision. After taking a 4-1 first period lead, Luensman scored an escape and a takedown to lead 7-1 midway through the second period, and that lead held up to the whistle.

     After giving up a takedown early in the third period, Luensman rallied to score the final six points of the match.

     “Kain came out and was ready to go,” coach Luensman said. “He had a tough opponent, and Kain did a nice job of staying on his offense and scoring points.”

     Luensman also led in the quarterfinal match Friday morning against Bryce Hatten of Winterset, holding margins of 4-0 and 6-2, but the match was stopped twice with Luensman on his back in pain, once in the second period and once in the third. Hatten was able to take advantage and rally, scoring the deciding takedown with 18 seconds left and winning 7-6.

     “Kain was really wrestling well in his quarterfinal match,” the coach said. “He was on the leg for a reversal and his head and neck got jammed back. I would describe it as a really bad stinger, and Kain lost some feeling and strength in that arm. I feel he left it all on the mat, and I was proud of his efforts.”

     Averee Abben of Osage then pinned Luensman later in that session, in 2:37, ending Luensman’s tournament run.

     “The Osage kid is a very good wrestler and a state placewinner from the year before,” coach Luensman said. “We knew it was going to be a tough match. Kain was wrestling hard and made one mistake that cost him.”

     Luensman finished with a 43-3 record.

     “This was a tough run for Kain,” the coach said. “In the past five days he had beaten two wrestlers in his bracket that placed third and sixth. I know Kain will respond to this adversity and we will need to make some big changes to his approaches.”

     The coach noted that Luensman will also get the opportunity to lift, and wrestle a full freestyle season, which hadn’t been the case the previous two years.

     “I’m excited to see how he responds,” coach Luensman said.

Feb. 20-22

State Class 2A

Tournament
(at Wells Fargo Arena,

Des Moines)

MONTICELLO RESULTS

     Kain Luensman won by major dec. over Blake Abrahamson, Okoboji-Milford, 13-3; lost to Bryce Hatten, Winterset, 7-6; was pinned by Averee Abben, Osage, 2:37.