Area wrestlers knocked out in the blood round

DES MOINES — Friday is moving day at the State Wrestling Tournament. Three area wrestlers would have to get through the always intense blood round with a win to secure themselves a medal.

Pella’s No. 11 Jackson Van Kley (34-15) was coming off a Thursday that saw him get pinned in his first match before coming back with a pin of his own to punch his ticket to the blood round on Friday. There he would meet a stout opponent in No. 4 Carter Cahill (35-5) of Ankeny Centennial. Cahill would be aggressive from the start and keep Van Kley out of his offense as Cahill picked up single leg takedown and three-point near falls in all three periods on his way to a 15-0 tech fall to knock Van Kley out of the tournament.

Van Kley finishes his first tournament run with a 1-2 record while going 34-15 on the season as the sophomore will look to make a return run for a medal in the future.

Earlier in the morning, Knoxville’s remaining duo was also waiting in the blood round at their respective weights, needing wins to stay alive in the tournament.

Knoxville’s No. 14 Marco Alejo (33-9) would have to face off against No. 5 Vincent Mayberry (41-2) of Glenwood, needing an upset win to get a medal at 113 pounds. Alejo went for an underhook early but would get caught and taken down to the mat for a two-point near fall. Mayberry would then go to work and get Alejo in the cradle for the pin and end Alejo’s tournament run.

That would leave No. 10 Luke Spaur (45-3) for Knoxville at 132 pounds. He would get an even matchup with No. 9 Aiden Flora (27-4) of ADM. Flora started the match with a solid double leg takedown to get on the board first with Spaur later getting an escape to make it 2-1 going to the second period. Spaur started the second on top and gave up an escape before Flora went back to the double leg for another takedown to jump ahead 5-1 going to the third. Spaur would need to rally and was able to get a takedown but would need a turn to tie or win the match. Flora would get dinged with stalling but time would run out as Spaur would come up short in a 5-4 decision to end his great season.

Alejo and Spaur both finish their tournament runs 1-2 at state while 182-pounder Wayne Johnston went 0-2 after being knocked out on Thursday. Johnston is a sophomore while Alejo and Spaur are both juniors as all three will have a chance to get back to Wells Fargo Arena next year and seek for a medal finish.

North Mahaska heavyweight No. 11 Trace Goemaat (37-9) was knocked out of the tournament on Thursday after suffering a pair of losses. He was pinned by No. 5 Ryley Snell (35-1) of I-35 in the first round and would then lose a tight 5-2 decision to No. 4 Easton Eledge (21-4) of Underwood in the first consolation round to end his season.

Pella results

3A-152: Jackson Van Kley (34-15) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Cayden Langreck (Waverly-Shell Rock) 16-2 won by fall over Jackson Van Kley (Pella) 34-15 (Fall 3:39)

Cons. Round 1 - Jackson Van Kley (Pella) 34-15 won by fall over Max Dirks (Dowling Catholic) 15-18 (Fall 3:56)

Cons. Round 2 - Carter Cahill (Ankeny Centennial) 35-5 won by tech fall over Jackson Van Kley (Pella) 34-15 (TF-1.5 5:20 (15-0))

Knoxville results

2A-113: Marco Alejo (33-9) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Gavin Jensen (Williamsburg) 52-3 won by fall over Marco Alejo (Knoxville) 33-9 (Fall 1:52)

Cons. Round 1 - Marco Alejo (Knoxville) 33-9 won by major decision over Levi Kramer (Central Lyon/George-Little Rock) 34-9 (MD 14-4)

Cons. Round 2 - Vincent Mayberry (Glenwood) 41-2 won by fall over Marco Alejo (Knoxville) 33-9 (Fall 1:09)

2A-132: Luke Spaur (45-3) place is unknown and scored 1.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Tyce Ruffridge (Pocahontas Area) 38-6 won by decision over Luke Spaur (Knoxville) 45-3 (Dec 3-0)

Cons. Round 1 - Luke Spaur (Knoxville) 45-3 won by decision over Easton O`Brien (Atlantic-CAM) 41-19 (Dec 9-6)

Cons. Round 2 - Aiden Flora (ADM) 27-4 won by decision over Luke Spaur (Knoxville) 45-3 (Dec 5-4)

2A-182: Wayne Johnston (27-24) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - CJ Walrath (Notre Dame, Burlington) 53-0 won by fall over Wayne Johnston (Knoxville) 27-24 (Fall 0:47)

Cons. Round 1 - Blake Jager (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont) 30-9 won by fall over Wayne Johnston (Knoxville) 27-24 (Fall 1:58)

North Mahaska results

1A-285: Trace Goemaat (37-9) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Ryley Snell (Interstate 35) 35-1 won by fall over Trace Goemaat (North Mahaska) 37-9 (Fall 0:43)

Cons. Round 1 - Easton Eledge (Underwood) 21-4 won by decision over Trace Goemaat (North Mahaska) 37-9 (Dec 5-2)