Tanagers place second at regional wrestling tourney

The Tanager wrestling team had an outstanding performance at the Region 2A Tournament held in Canton on Feb. 15-16. By capturing the runner-up award, the team was able to qualify nine wrestlers for the state tournament in Sioux Falls next weekend. The participating teams, their scores and places were: 1. Canton (184) 2. Vermillion (147.5) 3. Yankton (127) 4. Sioux Falls Lincoln (121) 5. West Central (94) 6. Sioux Falls Washington (86) 7. Brandon Valley (60) 8. Lennox (46). Coach Casey O'Connor and Luke Heine both received individual honors for their outstanding efforts during the regional tournament.

KEY: WBF – won by fall; TF – technical fall; MD – major decision; Dec – decision; WF – forfeit; B – bye

Tanager individual results in first-round matches: 103 – Earl Kiertzner (V) Dec, 8-2 over Isaac Luke (L); 119 – Kasey Uecker (BV) MD, 15-7 over JR Moore (V); 119 – Ryan O'Connor (V) B; 125 – Chris Smith (WC) WBF, 0:38 over Tony Hubert (V); 130 – Jesse Jones (BV) MD, 15-6 over Brad Orr (V); 135 – Chris Mart (V) WBF, in OT over Cory Garbers (C) ; 140 – Tanner Mart (V) WBF, 2:24 over Ryan Smith (WC); 145 – Andrew Eidem (V) Dec, 13-6 over Nathan Braaten (Y); 152 – Nick Wulf (SFL) WBF, 3:17 over Jordan Moos (V); 160 – Nick Mart (V) TF, 20-3 over Pete Nelson (C); 171 – Luke Heine (V) WBF, 1:50 over Trevor Pierce (WC); 189 – Garrit Heine (V) WBF, 5:29 over Todd Wright (C); 215 – Thomas Mollet (V) WBF, 1:33 over Drew Cosand (SFW); 285 – Harrison Hawley (V) B.

First Round Wrestlebacks: 112 – JR Moore (V) – (B); 125 – Dan Eevaney (SFW) WBF, 0:32 over Tony Hubert (V); 130 – Brad Orr (V) WBF, 3:01 over Jordan Richter (SFL); 152 – Jordan Moos (V) MD, 12-2 over Derek Fischer (L).

Semi Finals: 103 – Earl Kiertzner (V) Dec, 8-4 over Blake Jans (SFW); 119 – Cody Miller (BV) Dec, 7-2 over Ryan O'Connor (V); 135 – Ryan Burton (Y) WBF, 0:51 over Chris Mart (V): 140 – Tanner Mart (V) Dec, 6-4 over Matt Dickenson (SFL); 145 – Dillion Swanson (C) Dec, 6-5 over Andrew Eidem (V); 160 – Nick Mart (V) Dec, 11-7 over Tanner LaValleire (SFL); 171 – Luke Heine (V) WBF, 3:20 over Derrick Guthmiller (Y); 189 – Devin Clark (SFL) WBF, 5:01 over Gerrit Heine (V); 215 – Cody Overy (C) Dec, 8-7 over Thomas Mollet (V); 285 – Harrison Hawley (V) Dec, 3-1 over Tabor Martin (WC).

Second Round Wrestlebacks: 112 – Dillon Spader (SFW) Dec, 7-5 over JR Moore (V); 119 – Ryan O'Connor (V) Dec 8-4 over Mike Joregensen (C); 130 – Tim Weber (WC) MD, 12-0 over Brad Orr (V); 135 – Chris Mart (V) MD, 10-2 over DJ Steever (L); 145 – Andrew Eidem (V) Dec, 6-3 over Jerrod Ruud (BV); 152 – Kyle Rocott (WC) Dec, 7-0 over Jordan Moos (V); 189 – Gerrit Heine (V) WBF, 4:59 over Michael Shoemaker (BV); 215 – JT Silvernail (Y) WBF, 3:56 over Thomas Mollet (V).

Finals: 103 – Parker Swansen (C) TF, 19-4 over Earl Kiertzner (V); 119 – Ryan O'Connor (V) WBF, 2:31 over Travis Pierce (WC); 135 – Chris Mart (V) Dec, 4-3 over Cory Garbers (C); 140 – Tanner Mart (V) Dec, 11-6 over Josh Koch (Y); 145 – Andrew Eidem (V) Dec, 11-6 over Levi Parker (L); 160 – Nick Mart (V) Dec, 3-1 in OT over Dylan Petersen (WC); 171 – Luke Heine (V) Dec, 3-1 over Zach Joslyn (C) ; 189 – Josh Lynde (Y) WBF, 3:24 over Gerrit Heine (V); 285 – Derek Gard (C) Dec, 3-1 over Harrison Hawley (V).

Individual Placing in the tournament:

103 – Earl Kiertzner-2nd 119 – Ryan O'Connor-3rd

135 – Chris Mart-3rd

140 – Tanner Mart-1st

145 – Andrew Eidem-3rd

160 – Nick Mart-1st

171 – Luke Heine-1st

189 – Gerrit Heine-4th

285 – Harrison Hawley-2nd

Reflecting on his team's overall and individual successes and for a regional tournament evaluation, Coach O'Connor said, "Both seniors, Harrison Hawley and Ryan O'Connor will finish their high school careers at State. Junior Luke Heine received the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament Award by winning the 171-pound weight class. Sophomore Andrew Eidem, and freshmen, Earl Kiertzner, Chris, Nick and Tanner Mart, and Gerrit Heine all qualified for the state tournament. Going into the final day of the tourney we knew the second wrestleback round would be crucial. We still had eight wrestlers with the possibility of qualifying. Taking nine to State, and coming in second to Canton in the tournament shows how far these kids have come over the past few years."