It was an exciting year for athletics in the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle coverage area, with state championships won, state berths secured and plenty of other victories big and small achieved by the Trojans and Warriors. With 2024 officially upon us, the News Chronicle staff compiled a short list of some of the top sports stories of 2023.

Maeley Elsbury wins STC’s first ever girls state wrestling championship

CORALVILLE — Maeley and Autumn Elsbury of South Tama County made one thing clear at the girls’ state wrestling tournament in February — winning runs in the family.

Maeley, a junior who entered as the No. 3 seed at 135 pounds, took down No. 1 seed and top-ranked Alexis Ross of Fort Dodge with a 2-0 decision in the finals at 135 pounds to win her first state title and the first Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union-sanctioned title at her weight, using her confidence and experience to pull through. When the final whistle blew, Maeley’s face lit up as the crowd roared. The joy and satisfaction was impossible to miss — even if the gravity of her achievement hadn’t sunk in yet.

“It hasn’t quite really hit me — I mean it has, but it hasn’t,” Maeley said. “It just seems insane that I just won the bracket in the entire state at my weight.”

“No one can wrestle with me for six minutes.”

The match was tense and slow moving. In the first period, Ross looked at times to be close to getting the opening takedown. When that didn’t happen, Maeley took the bottom position to start the second in hopes of getting an escape point. She was unable to escape but again didn’t give up any tilts, either.

It was a scoreless tie heading into the final two minutes. Starting on top with Ross choosing the bottom, Maeley felt like she was in a comfortable position. When she had a chance, she forced the issue with two nearfall points — and that was that.

“From the start of the match, I knew I just wanted to get in my good positions, I didn’t want to force any shots,” Maeley said. “This isn’t a time to mess around. I just stayed on my feet and was in a good position when she shot at me.

“When we went into the third, I was happy she picked the bottom. I’m good on top, and I knew it, I trusted myself on top. That’s where I’ve spent 80 percent of the season is on top, riding girls, so I knew I could turn her over.”

She ended the state tournament 5-0 and the season at 46-1. Maeley had one bout in the morning — a match with Dakota Whitman of Independence. Whitman had defeated Maeley in the WaMaC Conference finals earlier in the season, and she said that defeat was in her mind leading up to the match itself. She dominated after the first minute, not giving Whitman a chance to fight back and comfortably taking a 5-2 decision to advance to the finals.

“It was a little nerve-wracking knowing we wrestled not that long ago and what didn’t go my way,” Maeley said. “I knew going in that I should have won last time, and I knew I’m the better wrestler with my technique and I knew I had been training for this day.”

“I knew what I wanted and I wasn’t going to let anyone stop me.”

This is Maeley’s third year wrestling at a varsity level for South Tama, albeit the first season the sport is officially incorporated by the IGHSAU. She took third place at last year’s state tournament, said she’s excited to come back next year and added that she’s happy to “set the way” for STC wrestlers in the coming years.

“I’m our first school state champ, I was our first state place-winner and it’s setting the way for so many at our school,” Maeley said. “It feels amazing.”

Early in December, Maeley became the first wrestler in the short history of the STC girls program to reach 100 career wins, and she continues to excel with hopes of bringing home another state title this winter.

South Tama boys cross country secures first team state meet berth

CLEAR LAKE — For the first time in school history, the South Tama County boys’ cross country team has qualified for state.

The Trojans took second place during a Class 3A state-qualifying meet at Veterans Memorial Golf Club in Clear Lake, trailing only fifth-ranked Carlisle in the 13-team invitational.

Carlisle totaled 57 points, followed by 12th-ranked South Tama (70) and ninth-ranked ADM (76). No. 15 Decorah (111) finished fourth and was denied a spot at the Oct. 28 state meet in Fort Dodge.

South Tama, meanwhile, earned its first trip to state in convincing fashion.

Seniors Tommy Tyynismaa and James Brant finished first and second, respectively, to pave a path to state for the rest of the Trojans for the first time in program history.

“It was a really good day, perfect weather conditions. The course was pretty good too, but it was a little bit different because usually there’s a couple guys around me helping me push along. I was out there just kind of on my own today, which is kind of nice,” Tyynismaa said. “It kind of gives you a bit of a confidence booster going into next week, so next week I’m gonna have a lot more competition.”

Tyynismaa earned his fourth state berth with a winning time of 16 minutes, 17.5 seconds, while Brant made it for the third time with his clocking of 16:34.8. Both of the star seniors were excited to watch their teammates cross the finish line and had a feeling it would put the Trojans in a great spot to qualify.

“It was kind of a little bit of a different race just being by myself the whole time in second, so just grinding it out, keeping the lead and doing the best (thing) for the team (was key),” Brant said. “It just means the world that it’s with the team. It’s been me and Tommy the past three years, but to get these guys right here, who worked their butt off, to get them here, it means the world to me. I love those guys.”

At the state meet in Fort Dodge, Tyynismaa finished seventh overall in the 3A field, running 15:53 against a loaded field of competition. He ended his cross country career as a four-time state qualifier and a two-time state medalist.

But having his teammates jumping out of the starting box with him is the crux of what this journey means to him.

Brant was 32nd overall in 16:47. Rosenberger placed 73rd in 17:15, Rohrs 106th in 17:42 and Schirmer 109th in 17:43. Barrett Jesina, a sophomore and the only non-senior running on Saturday, provided a non-scoring time of 17:52 for 116th.

“Yes, my individual performance helps,” Tyynismaa said. “But I just really wanted to get the team here, that’s what mattered to me most. We’ve been running together since seventh grade, and we knew each other for years before that. It just means the world.”

STC was 11th in the team standings with 249 points, eight points behind 10th-place Glenwood. Gilbert (57) and Pella (63) ran away with the top two spots.

Brant was chasing his dream of sharing a top-15 medal with his teammate, but came up short in his final cross country race.

Tyynismaa signs with ISU track and field, cross country

South Tama’s Tommy Tyynismaa has officially committed to be an Iowa State Cyclone next year. Tyynismaa was offered by Iowa State to run both cross country and track, and after multiple visits to the campus, he made the decision to commit. Tyynismaa’s achievements in cross country and track are almost too numerous to write them all down. The standout accomplishments are back-to-back 7th place finishes at state cross country. In track, he has two runner-up placements in both the 800 and 1600 meter runs, along with his multiple state relay and Drake Relays appearances.

When asked about his commitment, Tyynismaa was thankful for the new opportunity.

“Not many people from South Tama go on to play collegiate sports, yet alone Division One so I am very thankful to be put in this situation,” he said.

He also talked about what the commitment and the STC community has meant to him.

“I want to give back to this town for what it has provided me with and give it some credit. I feel that this is the best way to give back to the community because of all the support they give,” he said.

Lastly, he weighed in on why he chose ISU, which is just a short drive west on Highway 30 from Tama-Toledo.

“I feel that Iowa State was the best choice for me to grow as a person and as an athlete,” he said.

As next fall rolls around Tyynismaa, his teammates, coaches, and other supporters will look forward to seeing the legendary Trojan athlete take on a new running adventure at Iowa State.

STC’s Chyma named junior high wrestling coach of the year

Feb. 18 was a busy Saturday for South Tama County wrestling assistant coach Steve Chyma.

In the morning, he was on the mat coaching up and encouraging senior 220-pounder Rudy Papakee as he took seventh place in Class 2A at the state wrestling tournament in Des Moines.

That evening he was honored in front of a big crowd during the final session of the week, receiving the 2023 Junior High Coach of the Year award. He was presented the award by his nephew, Tyler Walz.

Voted on by Iowa junior high and high school wrestling coaches from all areas of the state, the magnitude of the honor did not get lost on Chyma, who has been connected to all ages of South Tama wrestling for 25 years. He said the connection goes even further back than that.

“To me, this is my norm, this is what I do,” Chyma said. “I never expected anything like this. I’m very honored, I’m very humbled. Just blessed to have the backing of all my coaches, my community and all the high school and junior high coaches out there that voted.

“This is my way of giving back. I want to give back and give opportunity to all these kids. I love ’em, so it’s just my way of giving back.”

Not only has Chyma — who works for South Tama as the Transportation Manager — gone through the STC youth club and wrestled for South Tama, but he’s since put two of his children through the clubs and through the varsity wrestling program as well. He’s coached at the elementary level and is involved at the middle school and high school level for both boys’ and girls’ wrestling.

Bailey Chyma went through STC, wrestled at Simpson College and is now an assistant coach with the Trojans alongside his father (as well as a teacher at the elementary school). Steve’s daughter Abigail is a sophomore at STC and was a member of the school’s first officially-sanctioned girls’ wrestling team — which Steve was an assistant for. She made the state tournament at 155 pounds and still has two more years to go.

STC boys’ wrestling head coach Nathan Van Dyke said he nominates Steve every year for the award, and added that Steve is a huge part of the fabric of the program at every level.

“It’s good that he got it this year,” Van Dyke said. “An Irreplaceable part of our wrestling staff, part of our community. He’s been the middle school boys’ coach for 23 years, has been involved at STC for 25. After the middle school season is over he comes up and is at every varsity event.

“He’s very passionate. He keeps kids out for wrestling. He does a good job of recruiting them and gives them a good experience, keeps them out.”

After 25 years of working in the sport and getting recognized by the state and his local community for his dedication, Steve said he doesn’t plan on slowing down.

“I always told my ADs, ‘When it feels like a job to me, that’s my cue to get out,'” Steve said. “I’m not at that point yet.”

Trojan trio reaches podium at boys state wrestling

Once the final whistle blew and his arm was held up by the referee, South Tama County junior Gavin Bridgewater ran right off of mat 3 at the state boys’ wrestling tournament and into the arms of his mother, Tiffany.

Having taken photos of South Tama matches throughout the week, Tiffany was present for each of Bridgewater’s five battles at state. The heartbreak and frustration of the 6-3 loss to Ballard’s Gabriel Christensen in the semifinals on Friday was evident — but so was the relief and elation Saturday afternoon, when a third-period reversal put the No. 1 seed at 195 pounds in position for a 7-6 victory in the third-place match against No. 5 seed Zane Bendorf of Harlan.

Dealing with defeat in the semifinals a year after making a surprise run to the finals was difficult to take, Bridgewater said, but his close bond with his mother helped push him forward. He was also driven to make amends and get as high of a finish as he could on his father’s birthday.

“Every time I looked up, I saw family everywhere, whether they were blood or not,” Bridgewater said. “I wanted to win this whole thing for my dad because I knew it was going to be his birthday, but at the same time, I do everything for my mother.

“Seeing her right next to my mat, it’s huge. I can’t even explain how much it means. No matter if she’s there or not, I feel her presence always.”

To get to this point, he had to take down No. 6 seed Will Ward of West Delaware in the consolation semifinals. Going down 2-0 and taking the lead in the second period, he was able to take command heading into the final two minutes. With an aggressive finishing move, he pinned Ward after 4 minutes and 55 seconds to advance to the consolation final.

Trailing 4-2 in the third-place match and 6-4 in the third period, he found himself needing to find something to get across the finish line. After an escape, he put in a reversal to take a slim lead. Riding out the final minute was tough, but he said there was relief and happiness once the final whistle blew.

“No matter how much time’s left, the match is never over,” Bridgewater said. “No matter how much time is left, I can do anything. The match isn’t over until the final bell.

“I know how close I am.” Bridgewater’s season ends with a 39-2 record.

Two more South Tama wrestlers picked up medals, and all three won their final match of the week.

Senior Rudy Papakee entered the state tournament Wednesday, having not won a single match in his two previous trips to Wells Fargo Arena. Coming in as the No. 7 seed at 220 pounds, he set out to make sure that wasn’t his legacy at STC — and with a 7-3 victory over No. 9 seed Mason Koehler of Glenwood in the seventh-place match, he did just that. With the win, Papakee ends his high school career as a winner and a state medal-holder after a 27-4 senior season with the Trojans. The win also meant he ended his final state tournament with a 3-2 record.

He said early in the match, Koehler was trying to do “some dirty stuff,” and he injured his shoulder in the first period but fought through.

Papakee said the feeling of victory was hard to beat.

“It feels great man, I feel satisfied,” Papakee said. “It’s my senior year, so this just topped everything.”

Following a sixth-place finish in 2022 in his first year at state, junior 126-pounder Amare Chavez had his eyes on a bigger prize. Entering the semifinals, the No. 3 seed Chavez found himself with a chance at a finals berth. A hard-fought but frustrating 1-0 loss sent him into the consolation bracket.

State Track 2023: Trojans, Warriors bring home the hardware

Both South Tama and Meskwaki were represented at the state track and field meet in Des Moines last spring, with STC junior Tommy Tyynismaa breaking a state record in the 800 meters but still finishing second just behind state champion Chase Laughman of Pella.

Meskwaki Settlement School Junior Sia Bear jumped her way to a medal in the Class 1A long jump.

The lone Meskwaki qualifier managed to jump 16 feet, two inches, breaking a tie for eighth after the prelims with Grand View Christian’s Mia Backous.

Bear previously jumped as a freshman at state. Bear brought home a state medal with an eighth place finish in the 1A long jump. After breaking the school record with a mark of 16′ 4 ¼” , her success comes as no surprise.

Cody Blocker, Trey Etzen, James Brant and Tommy Tyynismaa threw down a time of 3 minutes, 36.73 seconds to earn sixth place in the Class 3A boys distance medley relay. Both Blocker and Etzen made their state debut in an amazing effort flanked by Brant and Tyynismaa, who host a wealth of state experience.

STC senior Nathaniel “Bubbz” Palmarez placed 22nd in the 3A boys shot put with a throw of 44′ 11 ½“. Palmarez qualified to state with an at-large position after throwing a lifetime best of 48 ‘2″ and earning a fourth place finish at the Pella district meet. “Bubbz” leaves his mark on Trojan track and field with Top 10 throws in both the shot put and discus.

In the 800 meter run, Tyynismaa ran the race of his life, pushing the pair under the 3A 800 meter state meet record. Tyynismaa took second in a time of 1:52.8 behind Laughman’s 1:52.61.

The race went out too slow for Tyynismaa’s liking, leading him to take the lead at the 400 meter mark.

“I wanted to wait longer but thought about it and I wanted to pull them into deep waters,” he said.

With the burst of pace, Tyynismaa separated the field and led the next 300 meters. Down the homestretch of the Blue Oval, the crowd came alive watching Tyynismaa running away from Chase Laughman. The duo sprinted as the crowd erupted, Laughman inched forward and took the win from Tyynismaa.

In the 1600 meter run, Tyynismaa finished again as runner up to Laughman in a time of 4:17.57. Brant improved on his ninth place finish in the event last year, running 4:24.23 for second place and a new PR.