INDIANS SEND THREE TO STATE
BY TYLER VICK
The Iowa 2017 Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament was held on Thursday, February 16, and Friday, February 17, in the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Pocahontas Area Laurens-Marathon wrestling team sent three of its wrestlers to state after they had placed in the top two places at districts. The three teammates that advanced to state were Jacob Mielke at 106, Shea Ruffridge at 120, and Clayton Reis at 145. This was Jacob and Clayton’s first time qualifying for state in their high-school career. Shea Ruffridge was a third time state qualifier. This was also the second time that Shea placed 4th in the state tournament. Jacob Mielke lost to the state runner up in the first round 8-1, pinned Joe Jacobs in the third period in the consolation round, and lost to the seventh place winner 13-4. It was a major accomplishment for Jacob to qualify for state at as a sophomore! Shea Ruffridge won an extremely close match against Carter Cox and Nick Meling with a 1-0 decision in each of the matches and later lost to Blake Steege in a 14-6 decision. He then wrestled Zachary Thompson and lost in a 3-1 decision which placed Shea in 4th. Clayton Reis had a goal this year, and he accomplished it. He qualified for state! Great job this season to the state wrestlers and the rest of the wrestling team!

lynn moody invitational - team champions

indians begin the season strong

Shea Ruffridge, Junior, Begins Season Ranked #2 at 113
The Indian wrestling team began December with back-to-back meets. Thursday, December 1, the Indians travelled to Sioux Rapids. There they defeated Sioux Central 78-0 and fell to Storm Lake 54-27. The following day they competed in the Joe Fitch Invitational at Humboldt. The Indians finished fifth behind, Atlantic, Humboldt, Emmetsburg, and Kuemper, scoring a 150 point team total.

Shea Ruffridge (2A, second ranked, 113) brought home the gold for the Indians with a 10-7 decision in the championship match (113) at the Joe Fitch Invitational. He also notched two victories in the dual vs. Sioux Central and Storm Lake, pinning both opponents. Tyler Reis (152) brought home the silver for the Indians at the Joe Fitch Invite, while Jacob Mielke (106), Cage Ahrends (138), and Tim Elliot (285) settled for bronze. Indian grapplers, Mielke (106), Ruffridge (113), Arends (138), Clayton Reis (145), and Elliott (238) each finished the day undefeated at the duals hosted by Sioux Central.
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The Indians home wrestling opener will be held Thursday, December 8, at the Pocahontas high school gym. Come on out and support the Indians!