The Union Knights boys wrestling team hosted a double dual, welcoming the Wapsie Valley Warriors and Waterloo Columbus Sailors to Union High School. The night got started with Union taking on Wapsie Valley in what turned out to be the most competitive dual of the evening. Wapsie then took on Columbus before the night closed with Union taking on Columbus.
In the first dual of the night, the Warriors and Knights traded blows. The Knights jumped out to an 18-6 lead after the first four matches, with freshman Cooper Davis (138) and senior Keegan Ellsworth (144) both getting pins for the Knights while senior Caleb Olson (150) won by forfeit. The Warriors countered with a tech fall and pin, the Knights countered with a Brock Ruzicka pin at 175, the Warriors countered back with a pin and win by forfeit at the heaviest weights. Heading into the lighter weights, the Warriors led the Knights by a score of 35-24.
With two returning state champions for the Knights waiting to wrestling at 113 and 126 pounds, there was a feeling the night would come down to the 106 and 120 pound match-ups. Those matches did not disappoint. In a match-up of two ranked wrestlers at 106 pounds, the Warriors won by major decision to extend their lead to 39-24. The Knights found themselves down 15-points with just three matches to go. They needed to not only win two of the last three matches by pins, but win by at least a major decision to avoid a tie and going to criteria.
Junior returning state champion Brayden Bohnsack quickly took care of business with a pin in just 27-seconds. The Knights found themselves 9-points away, down 30-39. Sophomore Kaydin Johnes proved to be a difference maker. Johnes enjoyed a lead much of the match before winning by pin in the third period (5:11). The Knights were now within 3-points, down 36-39. Another Junior returning state champion was waiting to take the mat for the Knights - Jace Hedeman. Jace put things away for the Knights, winning by technical fall. The Knights walked away with a hard fought 41-39 victory of Wapsie Valley.
The second dual of the night was controlled start to finish by the Knights. The team outscored Waterloo Columbus by a score of 72-9. Ellsworth, Bergmeier, Bohnsack, and Davis all earned pins for the Knights against the Sailors.
The Knights have short rest before competing in the Battle of Waterloo tomorrow morning.