Two Bluejays Qualify for State Wrestling
by Alex McKeown
Pierce High’s wrestling team traveled to St. Paul, Nebraska, on Friday, February 10, for districts. Junior Cody Yawn and sophomore Ryder Fuchs both qualified for state.
Cody Yawn, who is 39-4 on the season, went 3-1 at districts and placed 2nd at 132. In his first round, he won by major decision 15-2 over Giovany Ramirez of Madison. In the quarterfinal, he won by fall in the second period over Sam Copley of Milford. In the semifinals, he won by 4-3 decision over Jonah Heng of Norfolk Catholic. In the championship, he fell to Max Hughes of Syracuse in the second period.
Ryder Fuchs, who is 35-8 on the season, also went 3-1 to finish in 2nd at 182. In his first round, he won by fall in the third period over Bailey Pearson of Syracuse. In the quarterfinals, he won by fall in the first period over Norfolk Catholic’s Ryan Webbert. In the semifinals, he once again won by fall, this time in the third period over Cole Fousek of St. Paul. In the finals, he took on Brock Ray of North Bend Central and fell in the first period.
The other wrestlers for the Jays included, at 106, Jayden Sporleder, who fell in his first match to Isaiah Parsons of Conestoga and Spencer Bridgmon of Syracuse. At 120, Jeremiah Kruntorad was pinned by Lane Bridgmon of Syracuse in his first match, and then won by decision 2-1 over Jayden Mccaul of Louisville in his second match. In his last match, ahend lost by major decision 4-15 to Wyatt Smydra of Norfolk Catholic.
At 126, Jordan Sims was pinned by James Price of Centura and Cory Carlson of Sutton.
At 138, Brodey Peters won his first match by fall over Joshua Strauss of North Bend Central, lost his second by decision 3-10 to Jarred Hulinsky of St. Paul, won his third by decision 7-5 over Gavin Eddy of Centura, and fell in his final match to Justus Fisher of Conestoga.
At 145, Brett Tinker won his first match by fall over Jordan Watson of HTRS, lost his second match by fall to Keegan Pope of Syracus, and lost his final match by major decision 5-14 to Drew Schmidt of Tekamah-Herman.
At 170, Coltin Bauer lost his first match by fall to Alex Flynn of HTRS, won his second by fall over Rick Nickel of Malcolm, and lost his final match by fall to Nate Snyder of Syracuse.
At 195, Dylan Kuehler lost his first match by fall to Austin Jensen of Syracus, won his second by fall over Jacob Vallery of Conestoga, and lost his final match by fall to Joey Otero of Norfolk Catholic.
At 220, Jacob Kerber lost both of his matches by fall to Shane Hansen of North Bend Central and Austin Simmons of Centura.
Yawn and Fuchs will travel to Omaha on Thursday, February 16, to wrestle at state.
