Cyclones grapplers split on Senior Night

Thursday night, the HCHS Cyclones split their triangular losing their first match to Atlantic 59-17, but bounced back in their second match against Denison 58-18.

It was also Senior Night as Brody McKinley, Austin Spray, Spencer Fink, Jesse Jens, Manager Olivia Jens, and Cheerleaders Allisyn Ludwick, Dixi Ordonez, and Katherine Schwery were honored.

“It’s cool to be out here in front of the whole school,” said Senior Jesse Jens. “I can always remember when I was a freshman looking up to both Luke’s [Musich & Freund]. I still think of them every day when I’m in the wrestling room, and now I’m in there position. It’s full-circle.”

During their match against Atlantic, some Cyclones were able to pick up individual victories including McKinley over Jayden Harter with a fall at 4:59, Chayton Snethen defeating Roland Hinman with a fall at 2:47, and Jens come away with a victory over Landon Hagen due to a technical fall at 3:01.

“I was just looking for a takedown,” McKinley said. “I need to work on my shots some more because that’s what been working for me. Finally, I got that last takedown and the win.”

The Cyclones were able to pick up more wins in their match against Denison including Jaysin Ludwig, Fink, Jens, Coy Obrecht, McKinley, Kreed Boggess, Snethen, Nick Gubbels, and Spray.

“They did great,” said Cyclone Head Coach Adam Bendorf. “Nick Gubbels kind of comes to mind and he battled it out and kept his cool and was able to keep working, putting in the effort, and he came out on top.”

Cyclone boys grapplers take home multiple victories

It was great day for the HCHS Cyclones boys wrestling team Saturday at Tri-Center High School as multiple Cyclones came away with victories.

“I think everybody did about as expected and did pretty good,” said Cyclone Head Coach Adam Bendorf. “We had a couple of guys that are coming along and really progressing.”

Nathan Sandquist, Jaysin Ludwig, Spencer Fink, Jesse Jens, Brody McKinley, Chayton Snethen, and Shane Cooper all picked up multiple wins. Nick Gubbels also won a match.

Sandquist’s victories came against Hunter Hussing of West Harrison, Mondamin in a 3-1 decision, along with Tucker Olsen of Tri-Center with a fall at 4:47.

“Nathan ended up getting second,” Bendorf said. “It’s good to see him scoring first in that match against a kid that was pretty good and it ended up being a close match, but he did great.”

Ludwig defeated Trevyn Colton of Nodaway Valley with a fall at 3:36 and Brody Estell of St. Albert with a fall at 1:07. Fink’s two victories were against Carter Bartolo of Lawton-Bronson due to a technical fall 18-1 at 2:00, along with Cameron Flaherty of Woodbine, pinning him at 39 seconds.

Jens defeated Brody Pellett of St. Albert with a technical fall 18-2 at 2:18, and Owen Becerra of Missouri Valley, with a major decision 14-4. McKinley two victories came against Eli Harris of Nodaway Valley, and Sam Raymond of St. Albert.

“Brody had a really close match,” Bendorf added. “He did have a match against a kid that was pretty solid. Going into the third period, it was a one-point match. Brody is one of those kids that has talent and his skill and his ability to wrestle is right there with a lot of other guys. I could see him placing at state.”

Snethen had quite the day with four victories defeating Noah Jedlicka of Treynor, Derek Raasch of Nodaway Valley, Cohen Hamilton of St. Albert, and Connor Murdock of Woodbine. Cooper’s two match victories were against Treven Oehm of Westwood, Sloan, and Ben Monahan of West Monona-Whiting.

“For his 6th/7th place match, he ended up getting 6th,” Bendorf said. “That’s portably the best match he’s wrestled all year. He’s starting to execute some moves that are working, and he looks good.”

Gubbels’ one victory was over Carson Carrier of West Monona-Whiting pinning him at 3:30.

The Cyclones return to action Friday for the Ron Scott Duals at Mount Ayr High School where they will be one of nine schools.

“I think the important part of this stage in the game is really making sure you’re mentally prepared for every single match, regardless of who it’s against,” Bendorf said. “Becoming good at pre-match routines. If you’re preparing for every single match the same, it takes away a little bit of the anxiety that comes when you have a big match against somebody good.”