Tigerhawks pin way to Day 2

DES MOINES — Colfax-Mingo senior Trystin Ross digs in to his bag of tricks sometimes when he is in big matches.

Ross used a spladle to get to the state tournament last year and went back to that well on Thursday during the opening round of the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships.

The Tigerhawk senior got a takedown in 14 seconds against AHSTW's Denver Pauley and then applied the spladle shortly after and secured a 23-second pin in his second trip to Wells Fargo Arena during the Class 1A state tournament.

"It feels good. Got the first one out of the way. It gives me a lot of confidence and the pressure is off now," Ross said.

Ross will be joined by junior teammate Noah Strohmeyer, who lost his first match of the day at 106 but advanced after upsetting ninth-ranked John Schroder of Oakland Riverside in an elimination match.

The Tigerhawk tandem both celebrated their first wins at the state tournament.

"These are two of the hardest workers we have in the room," Colfax-Mingo coach Erin Hume said. "As a coach, it feels good to see them have this success because they deserve it."

Ross (38-8) opened the tournament as the No. 6 seed at 160. His shucked Pauley (35-10) straight to the mat in the opening seconds. And then manuevered himself to a spladle and got the pin a few seconds later.

It was pure joy and excitement after that, as Ross flexed to his family and friends in the stands.

"I used my instinct. I have used it in the past in big matches. So it's something I go to when I need it," Ross said. "He did what I thought he might, and I decided to go for it."

Ross faces third-ranked Blake McAlister (45-3) of South Central Calhoun in the quarterfinals.

"He's been a great teammate but now he's being selfish because that's what you need to do at this time of the season," Hume said. "He got that home run move right away. The next guy will be ready for it so he'll have to do a little more wrestling, but that's great. He's ready."

Strohmeyer had a tough draw in his 106-pound bracket. He faced fourth-ranked and top seeded Quincy Happel (41-5) of Lisbon in the first round.

Strohmeyer got a takedown in the first period and led 3-2. Happel returned the favor with a takedown of his own to go back in front and then he pinned Strohmeyer 6 seconds before the first period ended.

In the consolation match, Strohmeyer (30-10) was in control from the start. He got an early takedown and got Schroder (40-9) to his back. The fall came a few seconds later in the first period.

"I went after it and tried my best," Strohmeyer said. "It feels awesome going to Friday. Both of us got through so that's great. The plan is to come out tomorrow and wrestle my hardest again."

Hume said he didn't discuss the draw with Strohmeyer. They focused on staying in good position and wrestling a smart match.

"He forgot about the first match," Hume said. "And he knew that if he wanted to be here tomorrow with his teammate he had to leave it all out there and just wrestle. He stayed to what he is true to and I am proud of him."

The 1A quarterfinals and second-round consolations begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The 1A semifinals are at 8:45 p.m. on Friday.