Settles' wrestle back sends five Hounds to state

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - A dramatic 5-4 decision in a match for second place by sophomore Danen Settles wrapped up a day that saw five Fort Madison Bloodhounds earn trips to Wells Fargo for the state wrestling tournament.

Settles will join Ryan, Harlan, and Aaron Steffensmeier and Dayne Cordray at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines starting Thursday night,

"It was beautiful," Head Coach Ryan Smith said. "Danen avenged two losses from earlier in the year. He got pinned by both Mt. Pleasant and Burlington previously, but battled his heart out and got the victories today to send him to state.

Settles won his first match at 220lbs, also a 5-4 decision over Tyson Breuklander of Oskaloosa and then ran up against eventual champion Francis Duggan of Iowa City West. Duggan had only wrestled in 13 matches this year, but got the pin over Settles, who came into the match 29-17, 48 seconds into the 2nd period.

The loss sent Settles into the wrestle back bracket where he faced Mt. Pleasant's Dalton Bass. The two battled evenly through the first two periods, and from a standing hold, Bass went for a move and Settles countered sending both wrestlers to the mat, where Settles was able to get the upper hand and the pin halfway through the final period.

The tournament went into the 5th and 6th place matches to give the those wrestling back a chance to recuperate. After about a 50 minutes break, Settles was back on the mat with Burlington's Mason Hartman, where Settles sealed the deal with the 5-4 win.

Aaron Steffensmeier also won in dramatic fashion earning him his first trip to state at 145lbs. Steffensmeier had a bye in the first round and then scored a major decision (8-0) over Oskaloosa's Leland Evans to advance to the 1st place match where he ran into Mt. Pleasant's Nate Wallace. Steffensmeier trailed in the match 2-1, but took a down position on restart and was able to escape. In the 3rd period, Steffensmeier was able to get a takedown and ride out the clock.

"First match I hadn't seen the kid before. I wasn't too worried about it, I knew I had a bigger tank than he did so I knew if I pushed the pace I'd be fine. I'd wrestled Nate twice before and won both times and they were both pretty close matches," he said.

Looking forward to the state tournament, Steffensmeier admitted he had some things to work out.

"I've got my work cut out for me. I have to go back, figure some things out - touch some stuff up. I'm confident I can get some things done, but my goal is to get on the podium." Steffensmeier said.

Dayne Cordray will be returning to state for the second time. He went as a freshman and then took a year away from wrestling last year. With only five wrestlers in the 120lb bracket, Cordray got a bye in the first round and then ran up against freshman Ryan Van Donselaar from Pella. Cordray and Van Donselaar spent most of the match on the mat off their feet jockeying for position before Cordray was able to get the Pella wrestler's shoulder on the mat just eight seconds before the end of the match.

Burlington's Duncan Delzell, the eventual champion, scored a major decision over Cordray in the title match forcing Cordray into the 2nd place bracket where Van Donselaar was waiting. Since Cordray had already beaten Van Donselaar earlier, the wrestle back for Cordray wasn't required giving him 2nd place.

Cordray said he didn't feel he wrestled very well, but said he wanted to land on the podium at the state meet.

"I took last year off because my heart just wasn't in it," he said. "But I came back out this year and I'm really glad I did because I'm enjoying it more this year. Having my name on the wall would be special because I always looked at it when I was a kid."

Ryan and Harlan Steffensmeier will both be returning to the meet this year. Ryan finished 8th last year at 113lbs and Harlan finished third at 152.

Harlan only had to wrestle twice at district's Saturday after receiving a bye in the first round. He pinned Mt. Pleasant sophomore Jaden Davis at the 2:26 mark, which put him in the title match against Iowa City High's Kyle Hefley who was 41-2 coming into the match. Steffensmeier was close to a cradle on several occasions but the stocky Hefley kept the grapple stretched out. Steffensmeier eventually got Hefley turned over and forced the period halfway through the 2nd period.

"He was really short and stocky and was trying for the cradle, but I knew I had to try something else. I just want to get up there and do my best and come back with the gold."

I've wrestled quite a few of them. Cayd Lara and Grant Stotts and Runyan. It's good that I've seen them and know what they're capable of and now that I've got those initial matches with them out of the way, there's not so many nerves there."

Smith said Steffensmeier is really focused in on state this year and is proving very tough to beat.

"That was a strong kid he beat at the end. He's fifth or sixth in the state, but Harlan's really dialed in right now and when he's this dialed in he's very tough to beat, So I like where he is right now," he said.

Ryan Steffensmeier only recorded one pin in the three matches he had, and that was against Burlington junior Ian Taylor. He then recorded a major decision over Keaton Speicher of Iowa City in a 13-2 major decision putting him in the title match against senior Nathanael Shoemaker of Ottumwa. Steffensmeier found himself in a little trouble in the third period up just 4-2 and underneath Shoemaker. But with just :32 seconds left, he was able to slip out of Shoemaker's grip for the escape and then rode the clock out.

"I didn't wrestle my best, but I got the win so that's all that matters," he said.

"I've seen most of the ranked guys up there and scrapped pretty good. Winning state would be awesome, but I'm going up there and giving all the effort I can to do better than I did last year."

 

The brackets for the state tournament were also set Saturday night with the following matches on tap in the first round.

Harlan Steffensmeier (39-2) is set to take on sophomore Luke Fistler (36-8) from Dallas Center Grimes in the opening round of the 152 lb bracket.

Dayne Cordray (25-17) takes on Keegan Schultschik (38-7) of Cedar Rapids Xavier at 120 lbs.

Ryan Steffensmeier (27-14) will take on sophomore Evan Yant of (38-11) Waverly-Shell Rock at 126 lbs.

Aaron Steffensmeier (36-11) is pitted against Gabriel Kjeldgaard (39-12) of Lewis Central at 145lbs

Danen Settles' (29-17) first match will be against senior Zach Peterson (32-8) of North Scott at 220 lbs.

Complete results from Saturday's district action are listed below.

106lbs - Elton Kruse (19-18) placed 3rd and scored 14.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Elton Kruse (Fort Madison) 19-18 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Semifinal - Corbin Broeker (Mount Pleasant) 31-14 won by fall over Elton Kruse (Fort Madison) 19-18 (Fall 2:46)
  • 3rd Place Match - Elton Kruse (Fort Madison) 19-18 won by fall over Jake Frazier (Ottumwa) 5-13 (Fall 1:26)
  • 2nd Place Match - Corbin Broeker (Mount Pleasant) 31-14 won by rule over Elton Kruse (Fort Madison) 19-18 (RULE)

113lbs - Mason Schau (11-18) placed 5th and scored 8.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Brayden Ackles (Mount Pleasant) 22-19 won by major decision over Mason Schau (Fort Madison) 11-18 (MD 10-0)
  • Cons. Semi - Mason Schau (Fort Madison) 11-18 received a bye () (Bye)
  • 5th Place Match - Mason Schau (Fort Madison) 11-18 won by fall over TRENTON ELLIOTT (Ottumwa) 8-18 (Fall 2:37)

120lbs -Dayne Cordray (25-17) placed 2nd and scored 18.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Dayne Cordray (Fort Madison) 25-17 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Semifinal - Dayne Cordray (Fort Madison) 25-17 won by fall over Ryan Van Donselaar (Pella) 20-17 (Fall 5:52)
  • 1st Place Match - Duncan Delzell (Burlington) 26-9 won by major decision over Dayne Cordray (Fort Madison) 25-17 (MD 10-0)
  • 2nd Place Match - Dayne Cordray (Fort Madison) 25-17 won by rule over Ryan Van Donselaar (Pella) 20-17 (RULE)

126lbs - Ryan Steffensmeier (27-14) placed 1st and scored 23.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Ryan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 27-14 won by fall over Ian Taylor (Burlington) 11-24 (Fall 1:08)
  • Semifinal - Ryan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 27-14 won by major decision over Keaton Speicher (Iowa City, West) 26-29 (MD 13-2)
  • 1st Place Match - Ryan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 27-14 won by decision over Nathanael Shoemaker (Ottumwa) 30-14 (Dec 5-2)

132lbs - Nathan Steffensmeier (16-24) placed 3rd and scored 16.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Nathan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 16-24 won by fall over Matthew Widmar (Pella) 26-19 (Fall 3:46)
  • Semifinal - LANCE BORMANN (Iowa City, City High) 35-7 won by tech fall over Nathan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 16-24 (TF-1.5 3:31 (18-1))
  • 3rd Place Match - Nathan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 16-24 won by fall over Zack Beebe (Oskaloosa) 8-23 (Fall 2:36)
  • 2nd Place Match - LANCE BORMANN (Iowa City, City High) 35-7 won by rule over Nathan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 16-24 (RULE)

138lbs -Logan Kearns (1-2) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - VINCENT VASS (Ottumwa) 23-16 won by fall over Logan Kearns (Fort Madison) 1-2 (Fall 1:27)
  • Cons. Semi - Collin Leavy (Iowa City, West) 17-33 won by fall over Logan Kearns (Fort Madison) 1-2 (Fall 1:50)

145lbs - Aaron Steffensmeier (36-11) placed 1st and scored 21.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Aaron Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 36-11 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Semifinal - Aaron Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 36-11 won by major decision over Leland Evans (Oskaloosa) 19-16 (MD 8-0)
  • 1st Place Match - Aaron Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 36-11 won by decision over Nate Wallace (Mount Pleasant) 32-15 (Dec 4-2)

152lbs - Harlan Steffensmeier (39-2) placed 1st and scored 24.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Harlan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 39-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Semifinal - Harlan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 39-2 won by fall over Jaden Davis (Mount Pleasant) 21-19 (Fall 2:26)
  • 1st Place Match - Harlan Steffensmeier (Fort Madison) 39-2 won by fall over KYLE HEFLEY (Iowa City, City High) 41-2 (Fall 2:53)

160lbs - Keaton Poe (4-18) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - WILFRED KADOHOU (Iowa City, City High) 36-7 won by fall over Keaton Poe (Fort Madison) 4-18 (Fall 1:03)
  • Cons. Semi - Cody Gunn (Oskaloosa) 26-21 won by fall over Keaton Poe (Fort Madison) 4-18 (Fall 1:47)

170lbs - Austin Haas (5-9) placed 6th and scored 6.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - BRANDON LALLA (Iowa City, City High) 31-18 won by fall over Austin Haas (Fort Madison) 5-9 (Fall 1:06)
  • Cons. Semi - Austin Haas (Fort Madison) 5-9 won by fall over Emmit Boender (Oskaloosa) 12-25 (Fall 1:08)
  • 5th Place Match - Bryan Cordova (Ottumwa) 24-17 won by tech fall over Austin Haas (Fort Madison) 5-9 (TF-1.5 2:27 (17-0))

182lbs - Lennon Barker (6-13) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Will Hoeft (Iowa City, West) 44-15 won by fall over Lennon Barker (Fort Madison) 6-13 (Fall 1:41)
  • Cons. Semi - JOE RING (Iowa City, City High) 18-13 won by fall over Lennon Barker (Fort Madison) 6-13 (Fall 1:22)

195lbs - Alex Lauber (10-6) placed 5th and scored 9.50 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Enutifia Gamia (Iowa City, West) 26-25 won by decision over Alex Lauber (Fort Madison) 10-6 (Dec 12-6)
  • Cons. Semi - Alex Lauber (Fort Madison) 10-6 won by tech fall over Brody Slack (Ottumwa) 2-19 (TF-1.5 2:39 (17-1))
  • 5th Place Match - Alex Lauber (Fort Madison) 10-6 won by fall over Hunter Else (Oskaloosa) 8-22 (Fall 1:57)

220lbs - Danen Settles (29-17) placed 2nd and scored 17.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Danen Settles (Fort Madison) 29-17 won by decision over Tyson Breuklander (Oskaloosa) 23-18 (Dec 5-4)
  • Semifinal - Francis Duggan (Iowa City, West) 11-2 won by fall over Danen Settles (Fort Madison) 29-17 (Fall 2:48)
  • 3rd Place Match - Danen Settles (Fort Madison) 29-17 won by fall over Dalton Bass (Mount Pleasant) 36-9 (Fall 4:55)
  • 2nd Place Match - Danen Settles (Fort Madison) 29-17 won by decision over Mason Hartman (Burlington) 38-7 (Dec 5-4)

285lbs - Dalton Mabeus (12-13) placed 5th and scored 8.00 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Kegan Mitts-Butler (Oskaloosa) 12-7 won by fall over Dalton Mabeus (Fort Madison) 12-13 (Fall 0:58)
  • Cons. Semi - Dalton Mabeus (Fort Madison) 12-13 received a bye () (Bye)
  • 5th Place Match - Dalton Mabeus (Fort Madison) 12-13 won by fall over Tyler VanderMolen (Pella) 10-15 (Fall 0:26)

FMHS sophomore Danen Settles gets the upper hand on Oskaloosa’s Tyson Breuklander in his first match of the day at the District 4, Class 3A district meet on. Settles won 2nd place and a chance to wrestle at this week’s state tournament at Des Moines’ Wells-Fargo Arena.[/caption]

FMHS senior Aaron Steffensmeier walks off the mat after claiming the title at 145 pounds while Hounds fans cheer in the stands in front of him. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

FMHS' Harlan Steffensmeier is at a near pinfall in his second round match Saturday in Mt. Pleasant. Steffensmeier won the 152lb championship and will wrestle at the state meet starting Thursday in Des Moines. Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

 

athletics, bloodhounds, district wrestling, fmhs, fort madison, Fort Madison High School, Hounds, Pen City Current, Saturday, scores, sports, state qualifiers, varsity, wrestling

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