South Tama’s Tanner Probasco took 1st at the Bill Van Horn Invite after defeating Alex Hanna of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Freemont on Saturday, Dec. 16 in Pella. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

South Tama competed at the Bill Van Horn Invitational in Pella on Saturday, December 16. Overall it was a good day for the Trojans who ended the tournament with four champions and three runner ups. The team finished second overall.

Starting the day at 106 for the Trojans was Brody Chyma. Chyma pinned Jake Frazier of Ottumwa in the quarterfinal round. He then fell to Grant Harbour of Norwalk who is ranked 8th in Class 3A. Chyma ended up in fourth place after getting stuck by Caydn Hall of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.

The Trojans remain open at 113 so the next up for STC was Brady Knode at 120. Knode lost to Tyler Landgrebe of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont by tech fall (19-2 5:45). In the consolation semis Knode lost to Kanon Ekstam of Bondurant-Farrar by tech fall (16-1, 3:31). Knode ended up in 6th place after an overtime loss to Salvador Gonzalez of Ottumwa (SV-1 6-4).

At 126 for the Trojans Brayden Smith won his quarterfinals match over Aiden Lewis of Bondurant- Farrar by fall (3:40). In the semifinals Smith fell to Nathanael Shoemaker of Ottumwa by fall (3:58). Smith ended up taking 5th place after a loss to Caden Schmit of Norwalk in the consolation round. He secured the 5th place spot by taking down Aiden Lewis again with a decision win, 4-1.

STC’s 132 pounder, Brady Fritz had a solid performance. He pinned Kaeden Lozano of Bondurant-Farrar in the quarterfinals as well as Owen Glosser of EBF. Fritz took first place by defeating Landon Card of Norwalk by major decision, 15-6.

Right - Dalton Rosenburg took 1st at the Bill Horn Invite after defeating Joey Mitchell of Ottumwa on Saturday, Dec. 16 in Pella. News Herald Photo/ Allison Graham

Tanner Probasco also had a nice day for the Trojans. He pinned Zaiyan Mamun of Oskaloosa (3:51) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals Probasco earned a decision win, 4-2, over Carter Schmidt of Norwalk. Schmidt is ranked 8th in Class 3A and Probasco 3rd in Class 2A by IA Wrestle. The finals match was a big match for the senior who has been battling an injury all season. Probasco faced Alex Hanna of EBF. Wrestling fans should remember the two faced each other last year. It was Hanna who ended Probasco’s road to the State podium. Hanna won the match by decision 2-1 at the State Tournament. This year it was all Probasco who had a dominating and redemptive major decision win over Hanna 11-0 to take first on Saturday.

Colton Vest of South Tama had a tough day. He suffered an injury early in the day and was unable to complete the tournament. The day started for him with Vest sticking Nik Batterson of Ottumwa in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals match Vest faced Ethan Vetterick of Norwalk. It was during this match Vest suffered the injury and was ultimately pinned by Vetterick. Vest had to forfeit his matches to Ivan Kruse and Leland Evans.

At 152 STC’s Isaac Judge received a bye in the quarterfinals. Judge is ranked 1st in Class 2A went on to take 1st after pinning both Tristen Duncan of Norwalk and Cody Gunn of Oskaloosa.

At 160 for the Trojans Pedro Rodriguez came in 2nd in the tournament. He won his semifinals match 1-0 over Tucker Babbitt of Moravia. He then faced Dakota Boyer of EBF who is now ranked 9th at 152 by IA Wrestle. Boyer stuck Rodriguez in the championship match.

STC’s Josh Thiessen also came in second for the Trojans. Thiessen pinned Bryan Cordova of Ottumwa in the semifinals (1:32) and was pinned by Jack Livingston of Norwalk.

South Tama’s Brady Fritz took 1st at the Bill Van Horn Invite after defeating Landon Card of Norwalk on Saturday, Dec. 16 in Pella. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham

At 182 Dalton Rosenburg kept STC fans biting their nails during the championship match. First Rosenburg stuck Nick Foster of Norwalk in the semis. Rosenburg then faced Class 3A 5th ranked Joey Mitchell of Ottumwa in the championship match. Rosenburg waited until nearly the final seconds to make his move but when he did it was good enough for the 7-2 win.

Cael Kellogg wrestled at 195 for the Trojans. He pinned Shai Guido of Ottumwa in the quarterfinals. Kellogg was beat by Nate Heckart of Norwalk 7-1. Kellogg pinned Ian Padget of Moravia in consolations and took third after pinning Shai Guido again.

Last up for the Trojans was Mario Moncada at 220. Moncada pinned Balke Deevers of EBF in the quarterfinals. In the semis Moncada won by in overtime over Cole Ballanger. Mondaca then faced Drake Leek of Norwalk and was pinned to take runner up.

The Trojans will be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 4 for a double dual with Independence and Williamsburg at Independence following their holiday break

STC Head Wrestling Coach Nate Van Dyke (center) talks to his wrestling squad between rounds at the Bill Van Horn Invite on Saturday, Dec. 16. News Herald Photo/Allison Graham