Panthers go 2-1 at Camanche, have three finalists at Starmont tourney

     Despite a thinner lineup due to injuries, the Monticello High School wrestling team keeps rolling along.

     Monticello had two events last week, winning two out of three matches in a quadrangular meet Dec. 14 at Camanche, and sending three wrestlers to finals matches at Starmont’s Doug Guilford Invitational Dec. 16 in Arlington.

     The Panthers (8-1 in duals) suffered their first dual meet loss of the season, but won two out of three Thursday, beating West Branch 48-27 and Durant 60-6 and losing to Camanche 45-24.

     “This team continues to sacrifice for each other and show toughness,” Monticello coach Ryan Luensman said. “But we didn’t get the matchups we needed (against Camanche) and came up short on a few close ones.”

     Forfeits made up a big part of the evening, particularly in the Monticello-Durant dual, where Monticello won 10 matches and lost one, all by forfeit.

     Otherwise, Alaina Sunlin and Kain Luensman each pinned two opponents. Also scoring falls were Bo Kramer and Chase Luensman.

     “We are still fighting to get fully healthy,” coach Luensman said. “We will get Gavin Holub and Tyler Kuper back this week and that will help deepen our lineup. Lake Stahlberg looks to be back after Christmas break.”

     Monticello then competed in the Starmont Invitational Saturday, Dec. 16, and finished eighth with 72 points while having three finalists.

     Kain Luensman was champion at 120 pounds. Alaina Sunlin (106) and Chase Luensman (138) were runners-up.

     “Kain did a nice job and dominated his opponents throughout the day,” the coach said. “He is building more confidence every time he walks on the mat. Kain finished out the week 6-0 with five falls.”

     Chase Luensman, the coach said, was bumped up to 138 to face a returning state champion from Wapsie Valley, having a lead in that match before losing 5-2.

     “These are the matches we learn from,” coach Luensman said. “Our goals are at the end of the season, and we need to find the toughest competition possible.

     “Alaina had a very strong tournament. She is improving each week and it is fun to watch her wrestle. Ethan Tallman had another strong performance at the varsity level. He ended up not placing, but was winning in all of his matches at some point. It is fun to watch the fight he brings to the mat.”

     The remaining members of the team competed in the Wilton junior varsity tournament Dec. 16. Andrew Wall won his weight class. Taking second were Spencer Avery, Mason Reuter and Bo Kramer; Adam Terry was third.

     Wall had two pins and a decision.

     “It is awesome to see how far Andrew has come, (after) just starting his wrestling career 16 months ago,” coach Luensman said.

     Also scoring pins during the JV tournament were Kramer, Avery and Reuter.

Dec. 14

Camanche double dual

Monticello 48,

West Branch 27

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     285 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 106 – Alaina Sunlin pinned Tyler Siemen, 1:40. 113­ – Dylan Bowser won by forfeit. 120 – Ethan Tallman won by forfeit. 126 – Kain Luensman pinned Joe Seydel, 1:23. 132 – Andrew Wall won by forfeit. 138 – Chase Luensman won by forfeit. 145 – Bo Kramer pinned Harold Blakey, 4:26. 152 – Thomas Broderick lost to Jacob Graves, 3-0. 160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 170 – Spencer Avery was pinned by Morgan Hartz, 4:54. 182 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 195 – open. 220 – Lake Stahlberg won by forfeit.

Camanche 45,

Monticello 24

     106 – Dylan Bowser was pinned by Ben Vogel, 2:39. 113 – Alaina Sunlin pinned Zack Woeckener, 5:30. 120 – Kain Luensman pinned Christian Leary, 1:33. 126 – Ethan Tallman lost to Brennan Kramer, 7-5. 132  – Chase Luensman pinned Cade Everson, 3:14. 138 – Bo Kramer was pinned by Josh Walters, 4:38. 145 – Skyler Sharp was pinned by Austen Clark, 1:14. 152 – Thomas Broderick was pinned by Eric Campie, 1:39. 160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 170 – Spencer Avery was pinned by Logan Waltz, 1:31. 182 – open. 195 – open. 220 – Mason Reuter was pinned by Kolby Snodgrass, 2:23. 285 – Lake Stahlberg won by forfeit.

Exhibition

     106 – Hope Hunter was pinned by Jack Wruck, 0:28; Hope Hunter was pinned by Jaxon Bussa, 0:14.

     126 – Andrew Wall was pinned by Nathin Malcom, 1:06.

Monticello 60,

Durant 6

     Alaina Sunlin, Kain Luensman, Ethan Tallman, Chase Luensman, Bo Kramer, Skyler Sharp, Thomas Broderick, Spencer Avery, Lake Stahlberg and Hope Hunter all won by forfeit. Monticello lost by forfeit at 285; 160, 182 and 195 were open.

Dec. 16

Doug Guilford Inv.

(at Starmont)

TEAM SCORES

     1, Wapsie Valley 187; 2, MFL MarMac 184.5; 3, East Buchanan 147; 4, Jesup 121; 5, Waukon 104.5; 6, Starmont 82.5; 7, Oelwein 76; 8, Monticello 72; 9, B-G-M 69; 10, Dubuque Wahlert 61; 11, Central City 29.

MONTICELLO RESULTS

     106 – Alaina Sunlin (runner-up) received a bye; pinned Marcus Gibbs, W, 2:42; pinned Dylan Digmann, DW, 3:43; was pinned by Carter Littlefield, J, 1:45.

     120 – Kain Luensman (champion) received a bye; pinned Garet Beatty, EB, 0:50; pinned Cayle Huebner, WV, 2:18; pinned Jarret Delagardelle, J, 0:41.

     126 – Ethan Tallman received a bye; was pinned by Tylen Hirsch, WV, 2:59; dec. Gabe Dominguez, DW, 10-4; was pinned by Kyle Marsh, CC, 1:33.

     138 – Chase Luensman (runner-up) received a bye; pinned Cole Silver, CC, 1:22; pinned Miles Hansmeier, W, 3:10; lost to Donny Schmit, WV, 5-2.