South Tama’s four state-qualifying wrestlers pictured, from left, Amare Chavez (120), Rudy Papakee (195), Logan Arp (138) and Gavin Bridgewater (220). Although the Trojans are rarely without a representative at the Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament, this year’s team produced the largest group of qualifiers since the 2017-18 season when the team had six state qualifiers including two-time state champion Isaac Judge, state runner-up Brady Fritz and placewinners Tanner Probasco, Colton Vest and Dalton Rosenburg. — Photo by Darvin Graham

A strong group of district qualifiers produced a strong group of state qualifiers for South Tama this weekend.

The Trojans will send three district champions including Amare Chavez (120), Logan Arp (138) and Gavin Bridgewater (220), along with district runner-up Rudy Papakee (195) to represent the Columbia Blue and Black next week at the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Although the Trojans are rarely without a representative at the Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament, this year’s team produced the largest group of qualifiers since the 2017-18 season when the team had six state qualifiers including two-time state champion Isaac Judge, state runner-up Brady Fritz and placewinners Tanner Probasco, Colton Vest and Dalton Rosenburg.

“Very proud of who made it on to state and I think they all wrestled very well today,” head coach Nate Van Dyke said following the district tournament. “I think the three that didn’t make it wrestled well. They wrestled hard and left everything on the mat. So, we’re very proud of their effort. I’ve had three people from other schools come up to me today and talk about our class and sportsmanship. So that’s just as big of a compliment to me and to the team as anything else. I’m definitely proud of the group we brought here.”

The Trojans began the day seven-strong with five champions and two runner-ups coming out of last weekend’s sectional tournament in Grinnell.

South Tama Head Coach Nate Van Dyke coaches during a finals match at the District 3 tournament on Feb. 12. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

The team traveled to Knoxville High School on Feb. 12 with their Sectional 6 tournament counterparts to face the Sectional 5 champions and runner-up wrestlers from schools including Albia, PCM, Chariton, Centerville, Knoxville and Davis County.

District results

Sophomore Eligh Branan got his first taste of district wrestling competition and was baptized by fire having to face off against second-ranked Carter Anderson of Albia in the opening round.

Anderson advanced, pinning Branan in the second period and would go on to defeat Marco Alejo of Knoxville for the district championship.

Branan finished fourth on the day after taking a loss to Wyatt Benson of East Marshall/GMG in the third place match.

District champion Amare Chavez (120) works to turn his opponent, ninth-ranked Brodie Conner of Albia during the finals match at 120 in Knoxville Saturday. Chavez, ranked eighth in Class 2A, will make his first appearance at the state tournament behind decision wins over Conner and Remington Fry of PCM in the semis. — Photo by Darvin Graham

Amare Chavez – 120

At 120 pounds, South Tama sophomore Amare Chavez continued his methodical march toward the state tournament with two decision wins to earn his first-ever district championship and first-ever qualification to the state wrestling tournament.

In the semifinals Chavez faced Remington Fry of PCM. Early in each period, Chavez scored a takedown that helped him maintain control of the match the entire way. Chavez advanced to the finals with a 7-1 over Fry in the semis.

In the finals, Chavez similarly dismantled ninth-ranked Brodie Conner of Albia with quick takedowns to start each period that helped him to a 9-1 decision victory.

“I felt really good today, I felt confident. I felt like I knew what I was doing out there,” Chavez said. “My movement, my feet and my mental capability were all there. And I felt like I was bringing my best performance today and I think it showed.”

For Chavez, mental preparedness has played a big role in his work this season that’s earned him recognition among the state’s best 120-pounders.

“For me personally, as soon as I get that ankle bed, I step away from the line. I put my ankle band on and I stretch,” Chavez said. “I go to that line only when I’m ready. So as soon as I step on that line, I know to tell myself that it’s go time.”

Chavez will take on 10th-ranked freshman CJ Davis of Burlington Notre Dame Catholic High School.

Also in Chavez’s half of the bracket are second-ranked Kale Peterson of Greene County who he could see in the quarterfinal round and third-ranked Lane Scorpil of Columbus Community who he could see in the semi final round.

MaCael Bear – 126

Fellow sophomore MaCael Bear may have had the toughest district bracket among STC’s field of competitors, facing two ranked in ninth-ranked Dawson Bonnett of Albia and tenth-ranked Dawson Townsend of Davis County.

Bear drew Townsend in his opening round match who dominated through two periods and advanced to the district finals with a win by technical fall 15-0.

The consolation round saw a rematch of the sectional finals with Bear taking on Tyler Schutt of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. Bear turned out a flurry of offense in the first period, scoring two takedowns and three back points that established enough of a lead to last the match, despite a third period comeback from Schutt. Bear won the third place match 13-11.

A chance at a wrestle back match for true second almost came in the the championship match between Bonnett and Townsend, however Bonnett prevailed 2-0 and Townsend automatically advanced to state having already defeated the consolation round winner (Bear) in the semifinals.

Logan Arp – 138

South Tama’s Logan Arp (138) had his district championship opponent, 11th-ranked Taylor Huggins of Davis County, covered and smothered like a plate of loaded mashed potatoes at Texas Roadhouse. Arp cruised through his district competition with a major decision victory and pin in the finals. He’ll return to the state tournament for the third and final time this week, looking to improve upon a third-place finish last season. — Photo by Darvin Graham

South Tama’s elder statesman, senior Logan Arp made quick work of his district competition taking down Logan Carter of Albia by major decision, 12-1 in the semifinal round of the 138-pound bracket.

The championship match provided a rematch from last year’s state tournament between third-ranked Arp and 11th-ranked Taylor Huggins of Davis County.

Although nearly 12 months have elapsed since the last time the two faced each other on the mat, the result was largely the same. Arp scored a takedown midway through the first period and was able to turn Huggins onto his shoulder to score the pin and the district championship.

“I think I came out a little slow with the first kid,” Arp said. “I was expected to get a fall there but didn’t wrestle to my capabilities. And then I finally got into the groove of things in the finals.”

Arp will head into the state tournament for the third time in his career, looking to improve upon a fifth-place finish from his sophomore season and a third-place finish last year.

Arp will begin the state tournament as the three-seed, taking on Tate O’Shea of Burlington Notre Dame Catholic High School.

His counterpart in the bottom half of the 138-pound bracket is West Delaware freshman Brent Yonkovic. Should the two WaMaC grapplers find fortune in the first two rounds at state, that could clear the way for a rematch of the WaMaC conference championship bout that Yonkovic took by a 7-2 decision.

Also in Arp’s half of the state bracket are familiar opponents Carter Straw of Independence and Huggins of Davis County.

Sitting atop the field looking to become one of the few ever four-time champions in the state of Iowa is Carter Fousek of Crestwood. Should Arp remain in the championship side of the bracket, he would not encounter Fousek until the championship round.

With several younger wrestlers on the team, Arp’s experience on the mat and at the state tournament has been a resource for the team this year. His advice to his teammates is to take a mindful approach to their experience at the tournament.

East Marshall/GMG ace Dominik Ridout (132) takes a moment to congratulate Logan Arp on his district championship win. The two seniors faced off earlier in the year while they were both wrestling at 138 pounds and will both have the chance to compete at the state tournament as district champs having won their respective brackets last Saturday. The two have been on similar trajectories as wrestlers, both chasing their first state title and both finishing their sophomore and junior seasons on the podium in Des Moines. -- Photo by Darvin Graham

“I just tell them, have fun,” Arp said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to wrestle in front of thousands of people representing your school. Just go out there and put everything on the mat knowing it’s your last time competing for the year or your season.”

Andres Lugo Jr. – 152

At 152, South Tama’s Andres Lugo Jr. made his first appearance at the 2A district tournament. Lugo Jr.

The senior Trojan wrestled a barn-burner of a match in the semifinals against Eli Zanoni of Albia.

In the first period Lugo was the first to score, getting a takedown at the one minute mark.

Rudy Papakee (195) looks toward the official for a scoring decision as he works from the top position against Donovan Nickelson of PCM during the semifinal round of the Class 2A District 3 tournament in Knoxville on Saturday. Papakee will make his second appearance at the state tournament as a district runner-up after taking a 5-1 loss to Jayden Allen-Winston of Chariton in the district finals match. — Photo by Darvin Graham

The period ended in a 4-4 tie after Zanoni scored a two-point reversal and a takedown to counter Lugo’s opening attack.

Lugo was again first to score in the second period, getting a two-point reversal from the bottom position after a minute and fifteen seconds had gone off the clock in the second period.

Zanoni again countered, scoring an escape, a takedown and putting Lugo on his shoulder for three back points at the close of the second period to take a 10-6 lead going into the final period.

In the third period Lugo, needing to make up ground, scored three unanswered takedowns to begin the period. Zanoni put on one final takedown with 20 seconds left on the clock, to which Lugo countered with a reversal to bring the score to within one point, but time ran out and Zanoni advanced by a score of 15-14.

Lugo defeated Leland Henderson of Centerville in the third place match 7-3 but did not have an opportunity for a wrestle back match as Zanoni lost to East Marshall/GMG’s Tim Benson in the finals and advanced as the runner-up.

Rudy Papakee – 195

STC’s Rudy Papakee will also make a return journey to the state wrestling tournament this year. Papakee finished as the runner-up in his 195-pound bracket, a weight class he dropped down to compete in this season.

Papakee took on Donovan Nickelson in his opening round match. The junior put out an aggressive pace that Nickelson defended well through two periods but ultimately succumbed to in the third. Papakee scored two takedowns and was awarded three back points in the third period that helped him to a 7-1 decision win.

In the finals, Papakee was tasked with wrestling 6-3 Jayden Allen-Winston of Chartion. Allen-Winston recently cracked the IAWrestle rankings for the first time this month (12th), but the eyeball test would suggest he may be a bit of a problem for the 195 field next week in Des Moines.

In a district championship match that was riddled with technical problems and stoppages due to issues with the clock, Papakee struggled to get a foothold offensively against Allen-Winston. He would ultimately take a 7-1 loss but would advance to state as a runner-up without having to undergo a wrestle back match as Nickelson emerged the winner from the third-place match.

The South Tama corner erupts with excitement as Gavin Bridgewater (220) puts Paul Ballard of Albia into a sticky situation in the district championship match. Ballard managed to avoid the pin but Bridgewater still dominated with a technical fall victory 16-0 to advance to the state tournament next week in Des Moines. — Photo by Darvin Graham

Last year Papakee qualified for the state tournament at the heavyweight division as was defeated in straight matches on the opening day of the tournament.

This season he’s dropped down to 195 pounds and credits working together with teammate Gavin Bridgewater in helping get his skills and athleticism prepared for the 195-pound competition.

Papakee will begin tournament action against seventh-ranked Cole Jefferies of Osage. Jeffries holds a win over Papakee from earlier in the season where he pinned Papakee in the quarterfinal round of the Cliff Keen Invitational in Independence to start the season.

The winner of the opening round bout will face either Curtis Erickson of Vinton-Shellsburg or eighth-ranked CJ Hisler of Webster City.

Papakee said although he maintains high aspirations for this year’s tournament, he still wants to keep things loose and enjoyable.

“My main goal is to place at the tournament this year. But I’m just looking forward to spending time up there with my bros,” Papakee said with a smile after the district tournament had concluded.

Gavin Bridgewater – 220

In his first year of high school wrestling, sophomore Gavin Bridgewater has been setting the bar higher and higher for himself with each passing competition.

Bridgewater spent time competing in both wrestling and basketball in middle school and in youth league and after a freshman season with the basketball team last year decided to switch over to wrestling for this sophomore season.

Bridgewater credits his cousin and coach Bailey Chyma as well as his training partners for encouraging him to give the sport another try and to help push his skill set to the next level as a high schooler.

Sophomore Eligh Branan (113) wrestles against Wyatt Benson of East Marshall/GMG at the 2A District 3 tournament on Feb. 12. This was Branan’s first appearance at the district meet where he finished fourth after losses to second-ranked Carter Anderson of Albia and Benson by fall in the consolation round. — Photo by Darvin Graham

Coming in as the sectional tournament champion, South Tama’s 10th-ranked 220-pounder faced Trenton Kingery of Knoxville in the opening round. Bridgewater scored a takedown and quickly took the match by fall in under two minutes to advance to the district finals match.

Against sophomore Paul Ballard of Albia, Bridgewater again dominated, earning a 16-0 technical fall win to advance to the state tournament.

“Today felt really good,” Bridgewater said. “Especially when I was able to work on top. Coaches told me all week once I get on top, to just hammer them, stay heavy and be confident of what I have on top.”

Even though Bridgewater’s district final didn’t end in dramatic fashion, the magnitude of the moment was still not lost on him.

“My first thought after the match was over was just thinking about how hard I’ve worked and believing in myself and seeing how much the coaches have believed in me,” Bridgewater said. “The first thing I looked at was my mom. And she was up cheering and that was the best part.”

Bridgewater will face senior Marcus Herold of New Hampton/Turkey Valley in his opening round match.

The winner will take on either Reece Wrage of North Polk or second-ranked Tegan Carson of Central Decatur in the quarterfinals.

Should Bridgewater remain on the championship side of the bracket, he would avoid a potential third rematch against top-ranked Clark Younggreen of Mount Vernon until the finals.

Bridgewater has wrestled Mount Vernon’s 220-pound ace twice to two close finishes with Younggreen getting the wins both times.

State Tournament Info

South Tama’s four state wrestlers will take the mats in the opening session of the state tournament on Thursday, Feb. 17 beginning at 9 a.m.

Brackets for the 2022 state tournament are now available online at TrackWrestling here.

Tickets are available online here.

The tournament will be broadcast in a number of different ways. Video broadcast of matches occurring in rounds other than the semifinals and finals will be available only through the FloWrestling streaming service. FloWrestling bought out TrackWrestling last year and offers a similar paid subscription for video feed access on the mats during the tournament.

The Iowa High School Sports Network will provide the semifinals and finals for free through its livestreaming platform and television.

Semifinal round television broadcast information can be found here.

Championship round television broadcast information can be found here.

MaCael Bear (126) weathers an attack by Tyler Schutt of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the third-place match at Saturday’s 2A district tournament in Knoxville. Bear finished in third at the tournament by defeating Schutt for a second time this season 13-11. The sophomore improved upon his freshman campaign by qualifying for districts as a sectional champion and will be among a strong crop of sophomores returning to help lead the Trojans next season. — Photo by Darvin Graham

Andres Lugo Jr. gets a single leg shot on Leland Henderson of Centerville during their third-place match in the 152-pound bracket. Lugo Jr. finished in third place defeating Henderson by decision 7-3. — Photo by Darvin Graham

Class 2A - 120 Bracket

Class 2A - 138 Bracket

Class 2A - 195 Bracket

Class 2A - 220 Bracket