A pair of sophomores will make their way onto the floor of Wells Fargo Arena next Thursday for a chance to claim a Class 1A wrestling title. Sophomores Paul DeJong and Trace Goemaat will continue their seasons against a yet to be named opponent.
DeJong is returning to the state stage for a second time after earning second at the district meet in Pleasantville on Saturday. The 120-pounder entered the day at 26-12 and used a takedown and pin of Pleasantville’s Tyler Gibson to advance to the finals in 2 minutes.
DeJong and New London’s Marcel Lopez (58-0) faced off again in as they did in the sectional final. Lopez controlled the match and scored a 26-9 technical fall. In the consolation bracket DeJong faced Collins-Maxwell wrestler Jacob Pierick and battled before securing a pin in the beginning of the third period (4:48) to take second and punch his ticket to state.
Goemaat, who placed third at districts a year ago, took his place on the podium as runnerup and hence taking his spot at state. The 285-pounder has posted a season mark of 35-5. In his opening match, he faced off with Colfax-Mingo’s Kenny Schlosser winning a 4-1 decision. Goemaat broke a scoreless first period with a takedown and 2-point nearfall in the second. Schlosser was awarded a penalty point in the third but Goemaat held on for the win.
In his match for first, Goemaat faced off with Pleasantville’s Matthew Kauffman. The Pleasantville senior used a takedown and pinned Goemaat in 1:17. In the wrestleback Goemaat was to face Schlosser again and advanced based on his previous win to notch his first state appearance.
North Mahaska had a third wrestler seeking to make a trip to state at 106 pounds. Sophomore Matt German met Southeast Warren-Melcher-Dallas’s Rylan Jimenez. Jimenez led 4-0 going into the final period. German scored a 3-point nearfall but could not earn another point and lost the match 4-3.
In his consolation match, German sored an escape and takedown in the second period then added another takedown in the third that led to a pin of Pleasantville’s Jesse Smith. He advanced to a chance to earn second but again came up against Jimenez and the SWLC wrestler advanced based on his previous victory over German. German ends his season at 26-14.
DeJong and Goemaat will begin their quest for a podium appearance at 9 a.m. Thursday. North Mahaska finished eighth in the team scoring with 38 points.
Class 1A District 5 Team Scores
New London 92
I-35, Truro 80.5
SE Warren 60
Sigourney-Keota 57
Moravia 44.5
Colfax-Mingo 40
Pekin 39
No. Mahaska 38
Pleasantville 33.5
Collins-Maxwell 26
Martensdale-St. Marys 26
Wayne, Corydon 16
Lynnville-Sully 14
Van Buren 14