March 28, 2024

Four Tigerhawks advance to state tourney

MONTEZUMA — Four Colfax-Mingo Tigerhawk wrestlers were in the Class 1A District 5 tournament on Feb. 9. And all four are headed to this week’s Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships.

Senior Cauy Fitch won his first district title and juniors Noah Strohmeyer, Trystin Ross and Cyden Fitch were all second in their respective weight classes to advance.

“These four guys are four of the best leaders we have in the room,” C-M coach Erin Hume said.

“We showed up today. I couldn’t be happier for our kids.”

The four state qualifiers is the most in one season since the Tigerhawks sent five to state back in 2002.

Baxter senior Ben Huff did not qualify for the state tournament

Fitch (31-2) won both of his matches at 120 pounds by pin.

“Cauy is on a mission,” Hume said. “Things didn’t end the way he wanted them to last year. He put in the work and has his eyes on that podium.”

Both Strohmeyer and Ross were 1-1 and neither had to wrestleback to advance. Strohmeyer (26-6) got a pin in his first match at 106 before losing in th finals. Ross (31-15) won his first 160-pound match 8-6 but lost 10-2 to Pleasantville’s Cael Lester in the finals.

“Noah has only been wrestling for two years but has picked up the sport tremendously because he listens and is coachable,” Hume said, “Trystin is always at his best in the postseason. He gave himself an opportunity today.”

Cyden Fitch injured his shoulder in the Feb. 5 regional dual battle with Iowa Valley and even pulled out of districts at one point. He practiced with the team late in the week and decided to give it a go on Feb. 9.

Cyden Fitch (28-4) won his first 138-pound match 9-2 before medical forfeiting to 1A No. 1 and undefeated Cobe Siebrecht (46-0) of Lisbon.

Having to win a wrestleback to advance, Cyden Fitch defeated No. 9 Dominick DiCesare of Martensdale-St. Marys, 4-0. It was Fitch’s third win over DiCesare in the past two seasons.

“I told him before the day that he didn’t need both of his arms. He just needed his heart,” Hume said. “He didn’t worry about his shoulder. He just stuck with it and got it done.”

Senior Damir Gumerov pulled out of the 195-pound bracket because of an injury.

Third-ranked Lisbon ran away with the district title, scoring 155 points. English Valleys was second with 77.5, Pleasantville finished third with 67 and Colfax-Mingo took fourth with 58.

Baxter did not score a point in 14th.

Huff went 0-2 and finished fourth at 182.

Huff lost by a fall to Iowa City Regina’s Nick Milder then was pinned by Lynnville-Sully’s Miles Mintle in the third-place match.

The Class 1A portion of the state wrestling tournament starts at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.