By Jeff Barker
The News-Herald
The South Tama County wrestlers travelled January 5 to Dike for a double dual with Dike-New Hartford and Hudson, picking up two wins. STC edged Hudson in an exciting first match, 38-6, and then defeated Dike-New Hartford, 42-34.
Article Photos
South Tama's Lucas Shope prepares to turn his Hudson opponent for a three-point near fall in double-dual action January 5 in Dike. Shope's 5-2 win gave STC the team victory over Hudson, 38-36. The Trojans later defeated Dike New-Hartford, 42-34, for their tenth dual win of the season. News-Herald/Jeff Barker
"Two W's," remarked coach Nate Van Dyke. "I knew it would be two tough ones to get two wins tonight. Hudson's a solid team. They've beaten teams who've beaten us."
The Hudson match came down to the last match, and South Tama trailed in the team score by one point. At 126, Luke Shope needed a win to secure a Trojan victory.
After two periods, it was tied up, 2-2. Hudson chose to go down in the final period. Shope managed to turn his opponent for a three-point near-fall midway through the period and then hang on for the 5-2 win.
"We lost some matches we could have won," said Van Dyke, "but in the end it comes down to one match and your guy wins the match."
The Trojans took part in the New Hampton tournament Jan. 7 and we're looking to do better this year.
"We were plagued with sickness last year," noted Van Dyke. "Joe Shope was out of the lineup. We had Kolton Smith out of the lineup, and Erik Lux tore his meniscus second dual. It wasn't a great day."
South Tama improves to 10-2 (7-1).
Results vs Hudson
106-Ben Packer (STC)Forfeit
113-Kade Steuhm (STC)17-4Dakota Lang
120-Jeremy Smith (H)Fall (0:29) Jake Thiessen
126-Luke Shope (STC)5-2
132-(Hudson) Fall (0:30)Cesar Rivera
138-Shay Ingles (H)Fall (0:44) Levi Kaufman
145-(Hudson)Fall (0:48)Dylan Kalinay
152-Tyler Walz (STC)5-1 Ben Huber
160-Joe Shope (STC) Fall (1:12) Chad Smith
170-Erik Lux (STC)10-1Cam Newendorf
182-Luke Huber (H)Forfeit
195-Kyle Llewellyn (STC)6-3 Zach Allen
220-Miguel Guzman (STC)Forfeit
285-Dalton Vest (STC)Forfeit