South Tama senior Logan Arp has begun his season 7-0 highlighted by a championship victory at the Cliff Keen Invitational on Dec. 4 of 1A state champion Cade Siebrecht of Lisbon. -- File photo

One of the biggest matches of Logan Arp’s high school career landed on Saturday at the Cliff Keen Invitational tournament in Independence.

In the 138-pound gold bracket, Arp earned a 3-1 overtime victory over 2021 1A state champion Cade Siebrecht of Lisbon.

The two senior wrestlers methodically worked their way through the opening rounds of the 31-team tournament, Arp putting away his first two opponents by fall, until they clashed in the championship round.

A defensive battle and a pair of escapes led to a 1-1 tie as time was expiring in the third period. Siebrecht nearly scored the match’s first takedown in the closing seconds of the third but Arp defended the attempt and forced the match into sudden death overtime.

In just over 30 seconds into the overtime period Arp dodged another shot by Siebrecht, scoring a go-behind takedown near the edge of the mat to earn the championship win.

The Trojans also saw success at the weekend mega-tournament with podium finishes from Boden Koehler (170) who placed third, Gavin Bridgewater (220) who placed fourth, Amare Chavez (120) who placed fifth, Rudy Papakee (195) who placed sixth and McCael Bear (126) who placed eighth.

As a team, the Trojans placed 10th with 210 team points behind tournament champs Lisbon (262.5) and runner-up and host school Independence (246).

South Tama will host the STC Duals on Saturday, Dec. 11 featuring six teams including Vinton-Shellsburg, Independence, Regina Catholic, Pella and Des Moines East. The team’s next meet will take place on Dec. 16 in a triangular at Vinton-Shellsburg with a rematch against the Vikings and Independence.