Panthers race clock with injuries as big meets approach

     It’s a race now for the Monticello High School wrestling team, as it tries to heal its various injuries in time for the big meets to come.

     “This has been a difficult part of the season for our wrestling team,” Monticello coach Ryan Luensman said. “We are still working hard to get injuries healed up and hopefully make a run at sectionals.

     “We are having to adjust some training methods and are keeping our focus on daily improvement for every wrestler no matter their situation.”

     Monticello had a couple of chances to wrestle last week, and the ones who were able to take to the mat had some highlights.

     The Panthers started the week with its final home meet of the season, hosting Wilton and Tipton for Parents’ Night.

     The Panthers lost 66-12 to Wilton and 48-30 to Tipton.

     Gavin Holub, at 170 and 182 pounds, was the only Panther to wrestle two matches and win them both, pinning both the Wilton and Tipton opponents in the first period.

     Tyler Kuper (285) also was 2-0, with a pin against Wilton and a win by forfeit. Alaina Sunlin, at 106, went 1-1, scoring a win by fall against Tipton.

     “Thursday I thought we went out and battled hard with the people we had,” coach Luensman said. “Gavin Holub and Tyler Kuper had a good night. Alaina Sunlin keeps battling every match and had a nice win against Tipton. Garrett McCoy wrestled solid in his JV matches throughout the night.”

     On Saturday, Jan. 21, Monticello faced wrestlers from some of the state’s strongest teams at the Alburnett Tournament. The Panthers finished eighth overall at the event. Sunlin had the highest individual finish, taking fifth at 106 pounds.

     Among the teams on hand were Denver-Tripoli, which has several individuals ranked in Class 2A, along with Alburnett (fifth in 1A) and Dike-New Hartford (eighth in 1A).

     “Alaina Sunlin and Andrew Wall were the highlights of our day, with each getting a win,” Luensman said. “I was proud of everyone that took the challenge to wrestle that day. We didn’t get a lot of wins, but everyone will learn from those experiences.”

     Monticello will travel to Goose Lake twice this week. First will be a double dual Jan. 26 that will include Northeast and Iowa City Regina.

     The River Valley Conference Tournament will also be in Goose Lake, on Saturday, Jan. 28 starting at 10 a.m.

Jan. 19

Wilton 66,

Monticello 12

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     132 – Travis Heinrich was pinned by Jerome Mays, 0:24. 138 – Noel Halder lost by major dec. to Chantz Stevens, 12-2. 145 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 152 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 170 – Gavin Holub pinned Cameron Reddick, 1:55. 182 – David Bagby was pinned by Bryce Oveson, 0:53. 195 – Mason Reuter was pinned by Calib Lilly, 1:38. 220 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 285 – Tyler Kuper pinned Dylan Leinen, 2:29. 106 – Alaina Sunlin lost to Colton Berggren, 6-2. 113 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 120 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 126 – Andrew Wall lost by tech. fall to Cory Anderson, 19-2, 2:57.

Exhibition

     120 – Garrett McCoy lost to Dalton Snider, 11-6.

Jan. 19

Tipton 48,

Monticello 30

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     138 – Noel Halder lost by injury default to Chance Koch. 145 – Justin McAtee won by forfeit. 152 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 172 – Jordan Smith won by forfeit. 182 – Gavin Holub pinned Nick Paul, 1:22. 195 – David Bagby was pinned by Zach Jones, 0:25. 220 – Mason Reuter won by forfeit. 285 – Tyler Kuper won by forfeit. 106 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 113 – Alaina Sunlin pinned Kaleb Mesick, 0:35. 120 – open. 126 – Andrew Wall was pinned by Ben Emrich, 0:40. 132 – Travis Heinrich was pinned by John Crowley, 1:46.

Exhibition

     120 – Garrett McCoy lost by major dec. to Brendan Nantz, 10-1.

Jan. 21

Alburnett Tournament

TEAM SCORES

     1, Denver-Tripoli 293; 2, Dike-New Hartford 237; 3, South Winneshiek 231; 4, Alburnett 220; 5, Iowa Valley 188; 6, English Valleys 89; 7, North Cedar 42; 8, Monticello 25.

MONTICELLO RESULTS

     106 – Alaina Sunlin (fifth place) was pinned by Jaymus Wilson, A, 0:28; lost by major dec. to Felicity Taylor, SW; pinned Zach Pierce, IV, 1:13; was pinned by Zach Nichol, DNH, 1:12; was pinned by Carter Littlefield, DNH, 1:53.

     113 – Garrett McCoy (seventh) was pinned by Jacob Sigler, DNH, 0:12; was pinned by Gabe Sadler, SW, 0:23; was pinned by Jacob Brandt, DT, 0:13; received a bye.

     126 – Andrew Wall (sixth) was pinned by Benjamin Moyer, A, 0:29; was pinned by Gavin Patterson, IV, 3:25; dec. Cole Taylor, NC, 6-0; was pinned by Nathan Schmitt, DNH, 1:59.

     170 – Jordan Smith (sixth) was pinned by Tanner Sloan, A, 1:13; was pinned by Gabe Kipp, SW, 3:30; was pinned by Brady Brocka, DT, 0:19.

     195 – Mason Reuter (sixth) was pinned by Zach Starbuck, DNH, 0:58; was pinned by Jayson Krakow, IV, 0:28; was pinned by Lane Schnuelle, SW, 0:31; weas pinned by Seth Damm, DT, 0:20; was pinned by Antonio Graber, DT, 1:15.