Four Cowboys Medal at Casey’s Center
Taylor Smith, Sports Editor
Last week, ten state qualifying Cowboys packed their bags for the three-day IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament held at Casey’s Center in Des Moines. Four Cowboys brought home medals, and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows collected 84.5 points as a team.
Adrian Phetxoumphone, who placed seventh as a 2A 126-pounder in 2025, repeated as a medalist in the same weight class.
The junior brought home fourth for CGD. He opened his tournament hot with two technical falls and only surrendered one combined point against his Decorah and Burlington Notre Dame opponents.
In a Friday semifinal match against eventual champ Mason Shirk of Wilton, Phetxoumphone recorded a takedown midway through the first period. He gave up a takedown in the next period, but led 5-4 after an escape in the third.
Phetxoumphone would give up a three points at the last second and lose to Shirk, but he bounced back with a first period fall over Jayce Curry of Sergeant Bluff-Luton on Saturday.
In the third place match, Adrian lost a 4-2 decision to Adam Carey of Independence. The Cowboy finished his season with a fourth place medal and a record of 40-6.
“Adrian had a phenomenal tournament, losing only to the state champion and the third place finisher,” said Coach Cory Yoder. “I know he will be looking for that state championship next season.”
Older brother Linden Phetxoumphone is no stranger to the podium either.
“Linden had a great high school career, placing all four years,” Coach Yoder commented. “He placed third, second, fourth, and fifth. We will miss him next season.”
The senior started his state tournament out with a first period fall over Kam Roberts of Alburnett, but later ran up against former state champion Gabe Spurgeon of EBF in the semifinals.
Phetxoumphone lost a major decision to Spurgeon, who would go on to win his second career title.
Fortunately, Linden was able to wrap up his high school career on a high note. In the fifth place match at 132-pounds, Linden earned a 4-0 decision against Colt Boyles of Burlington Notre Dame.
Weighing in at 157-pounds, Colin Sesker was a first time medalist for CGD.
The sophomore suffered a quarterfinal loss to Liam Weber of West Delaware, Manchester, but rebounded with a fall against a Harlan Community opponent and an 8-5 Friday night win over Alburnett’s Cooper Franklin.
That consolation round triumph would secure Colin a spot on the podium.
In the fifth place match, Sesker lost a 12-5 decision to his quarterfinal opponent, Liam Weber.
“Colin has been sick since state duals,” said Yoder. “I’m super proud of him and his effort with the 157 bracket probably being one of the toughest brackets in 2A. I’m looking for big things from a healthy Colin Sesker next season.”
Heavyweight JT Kelso was also a first time medalist and placed sixth in his third trip to Des Moines.
The junior won an 8-0 major decision over an Independence big man and a quarterfinal decision against Williamsburg’s Carson Grier.
Next, Kelso dropped a major decision to eventual champion Eaghan Fleshman of Alburnett in the semifinal.
In his consolation, JT led Drake Buthe of Glenwood 2-1 after a third period reversal. With 30-seconds remaining, Buthe collected an escape and sent the match to overtime.
Kelso conceded an escape in the ultimate tiebreaker and lost, 4-3. He would also have a closely contested bout in the fifth place match, but finished his season with a sixth place medal and a 40-7 record at 285-pounds.
“JT had a great season, and I know in his mind he knows he should have placed third, but I’m super proud of him getting on the podium for the first time in his career,” Coach Yoder quipped, adding that “four kids placing in the top-six is a great achievement.”
Nine CGD wrestlers advanced to the second day of wrestling.
175-pounder Easton Beyer went 3-2 in two days with two tech falls and a decision, and 165-pounder Ryland Morgan went 3-2 with two falls and a decision.
After receiving a first round bye, 120-pounder Paxton Redenius took down Iowa Falls-Alden’s Zane Gillespie with less than 30-seconds in their match, winning the 4-2 decision to advance to the quarterfinals.
“In the quarterfinals, Paxton Redenius had to start the day against the defending state champion and lost 20-5 to move into the consolation round,” Coach Yoder stated.
Redenius lost 6-4 in the consolation round and finished his season with a 36-9 mark.
In his first trip to state, sophomore Cole Wibholm went 2-2 with two pins at 106-pounds.
Estuardo Lopez, also a first timer, went 2-2 with two tech falls at 113-pounds.
Senior Ryan Hartwig wrestled at 138-pounds for the Cowboys. The three-time state qualifier had a 22-14 record this season.
Decorah and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont were both team winners, knotted at first place with 131 points each. This rarity marks the first tie for gold since 1933.
Alburnett (114), Wilton (112), and Glenwood (107.5) were also in the top five. Independence placed sixth with 104.
The Cowboys hovered around the top three for much of the tournament, but finished seventh overall with 84.5 points.
“I’m super proud of our kids and the season they had,” Coach Yoder said candidly. “For all that they accomplished and for fighting through all their injuries and illness. Finishing seventh as a team is not where we wanted to be, but with nine returning starters next season and some really good incoming freshmen, Cowboy wrestling isn’t going anywhere. We will be back!”
“Thanks to our seniors for representing CGD wrestling and for everything you have done for the program.”
