Four young men will represent the Washington Demon wrestling this upcoming week at the state tournament in Des Moines. Those continuing their season on the mat include Andrew Waite (113), Kyle Anderson (120), Trey Van Weelden (138), and Brad Skubal (195). Six Demons competed in the district round Saturday, including Alex Latcham (106) and Austin Hazelett (126), and the top two wrestlers from each weight class move onto the state tournament.

Latcham finished in third place in the 106 pound weight class at the district tournament. He lost a 7-0 decision to Chariton’s Gabe Ruepke in his opening match. Latcham pinned Albia’s Storm Little in 1:34 in the consolation match. In the wrestle back match to advance to state, Columbus Community’s Josh Keller pinned Latcham in 3:31 to advance to state.

Waite qualified for the state tournament finishing second in the 113 weight class. Waite pinned Chariton’s Dylin Harberts in 1:34 in his semifinal match. Waite lost a 3-1 decision to Columbus Community’s Mitchell Griffin in the championship match. Last season, Waite qualified for the state tournament in the 106 pound weight class.

Anderson is also returning to the state tournament in Des Moines, taking second place in the district tournament’s 120 pound weight class. Anderson won a 3-1 decision over Albia’s Zachary Oldham in his opening match. In the championship bout, Mediapolis’s Brennen Swafford pinned Anderson in 3:09. Last season, Anderson qualified for state in the 113 pound weight class.

Hazelett finished in third place in the 126 pound weight class. Hazelett was pinned by Prairie-City Monroe’s Tristan Clark in 5:39 in his opening round match. In the consolation match, Hazelett pinned Centerville’s Noah Coatney in 1:37. PCM’s Clark ended up finishing in second place, blocking Hazelett from a wrestle back opportunity to qualify for state.

Van Weelden needed three matches to qualify for the state tournament in the 138 pound weight class. He defeated Albia’s Kyle Sinnot in a 7-0 decision. In the championship bout, Mediapolis’s Mason Buster pinned Van Weelden in 3:17. In the wrestleback match, Van Weelden pinned CodyRay Smith in 51 seconds into the contest. This is the first appearance at the state tournament for Van Weelden.

Finally, Skubal is returning to Des Moines after finishing in second place in the 195 pound weight class. He opened up the district tournament by pinning Knoxville’s Travis Poffenbarger in 2:40. In the championship match, Mediapolis’s Steve Holloway won a 7-2 decision over Skubal. Poffenbarger finished in third place in the district, eliminating the need for a wrestleback match.

The four wrestlers begin the state tournament Thursday in Des Moines with opening matches yet to be determined. KCII Sports will bring you the matchups when they become official.