Panthers aim for upcoming sectional tournament

     With injuries healing and bigger meets ahead, the Monticello High School wrestling team placed less emphasis on the River Valley Conference Tournament Saturday, Jan. 28 at Northeast of Goose Lake.

     The Panthers sent two wrestlers to the tournament, Alaina Sunlin at 106 pounds and Andrew Wall at 126. The remaining members of the team were scheduled to compete in the conference JV tournament Jan. 30.

     “With sectionals (this) week, we are hoping to have everyone back on the mat,” Monticello coach Ryan Luensman said.

     Sunlin and Wall both went 0-2 for the day, although Sunlin came very close to a pin in her consolation match, and Wall lost a tough consolation match in double overtime.

     “I was very happy with their fight throughout the tournament,” Luensman said. “They were disappointed with the losses, but I know they will respond this week, wanting to improve and learn from these experiences.”

     Prior to the conference tournament, the Panthers wrestled a double dual Jan. 26, also at Northeast. Monticello lost 51-9 to Iowa City Regina, and 42-36 to Northeast.

     Travis Heinrich picked up an 8-7 decision win in the Regina match. Against Northeast, scoring pins for Monticello were Gavin Holub at 170, David Bagby at 195 and Andrew Wall at 126.

     Alaina Sunlin won by forfeit, twice. Other forfeit wins went to Mason Reuter and Garrett McCoy.

     “Travis Heinrich had a good, hard-fought win against Regina, and we won three out of the four matches against Northeast,” the coach said. “Andrew Wall continues to improve every time he steps on the mat, and it showed on Thursday against Northeast with a solid win. Gavin Holub and David Bagby had nice wins as well.”

     The sectional meet will be Saturday, Feb. 4 at West Delaware High School in Manchester, starting at noon. The top two in each weight class will advance to the district tournament Feb. 11 in Maquoketa.

Jan. 26

Northeast double dual

Iowa City Regina 51,

Monticello 9

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     132 – Travis Heinrich dec. Will Bobst, 8-7. 138 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 145 – open. 152 – open. 160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 170 – Gavin Holub was pinned by Nick Milder, 1:48. 182 – David Bagby was pinned by Mason Simpson, 0:46. 195 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 220 – Mason Reuter lost to Russell Hingst, 4-1. 285 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 106 – Alaina Sunlin won by forfeit. 113 – Garrett McCoy was pinned by Henry May, 0:16. 120 – open. 126 – Andrew Wall was pinned by Scott Blondin, 1:27.

Northeast 42,

Monticello 36

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     145 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 152 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 170 – Gavin Holub pinned Travis Mickelson, 1:09. 182 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 195 – David Bagby pinned Haley Snyder, 1:32. 220 – Mason Reuter won by forfeit. 285 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 106 – Alaina Sunlin won by forfeit. 113 – Garrett McCoy won by forfeit. 120 – open. 126 – Andrew Wall pinned Logan Dodd, 1:42. 132 – Travis Heinrich was pinned by Nate Bailey, 1:27. 138 – Monticello lost by forfeit.

Jan. 28

River Valley Conf. Tourney

(at Goose Lake)

TEAM SCORES

     1, West Liberty 230; 2, Wilton 192; 3(tie), Camanche 153 and Iowa City Regina 153; 5, Tipton 123; 6, Bellevue 84.5; 7(tie) Mid-Prairie 73 and North Cedar 73; 9, West Branch 66.5; 10, Northeast 64.5; 11, Cascade 62; 12, Durant 21; 13, Monticello 0.

MONTICELLO RESULTS

     106 – Alaina Sunlin received a bye; was pinned by Nolan Noonan, CAS; received a bye; weas pinned by Hunter Stoll, WIL.

     126 – Andrew Wall received a bye; was pinned by John Crowley, T; received a bye; lost to Gentry Owen, B, 15-14 (TB-1).