Washington’s Andrew Waite (gray singlet) circles West Liberty’s Justis Dengler during last year’s regional duals tournament. Photo by KCII’s Sally Hart.
A stiff test awaits the No. 10 Washington Demon wrestling team (3-0) on the mat tonight. The Demons will invade Assumption High School for a non-conference triangular versus the No. 5 Knights and the Mediapolis Bulldogs. Davenport Assumption, the reigning Class 2A state dual champions, defeated Washington last year in the state quarterfinal round, 40-18.
Washington opened their season at home Tuesday in a quadrangular with HLV, Iowa Valley, and Benton. The Demons won all three duals by more than 39 points. Kiowa Keith (138) and Andrew Waite (152) won all of their matches by fall. Kyle Anderson (126), Austin Hazelett (145), and Tristin Westphal-Edwards (170) recorded pins in two of their three grapples.The Demons have six wrestlers ranked in the top
10 in their respective weight classes including Walker Ikerd (No. 6 – 106), Anderson (No. 7 – 126), Hazelett (No. 8 – 145), Trey Van Weelden (No. 4 – 152), Westphal-Edwards (No. 5 – 160), and Karlton Skubal (No. 7 – 195).
The Knights have captured nine state dual and five individual wrestling state championships since 1995. Assumption has qualified for the state dual tournament 17 times, the most in Class 2A. Six Knight wrestlers are ranked in their weight division, including Noah Broderson holding the top spot at 220 pounds.
Mediapolis, the 2015 Class 2A individual state champions, is classified as a Class 1A squad this season. The Bulldogs made the Class 2A state dual tournament three straight season from 2013-15. Mediapolis enters tonight’s meet with one ranked wrestler. Brennan Swafford is the No. 2 wrestler at 152 pounds.
First grapples are set for 6 p.m. tonight at Davenport Assumption High School.