April 24, 2024

Newton's Linahon advances to 3A semifinals

By Troy Hyde

Newton senior Gage Linahon won his quarterfinal match on Friday morning and advanced to today's 3A semifinals at 220 pounds at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Linahon is now 32-1 on the season. (Troy Hyde)

DES MOINES — Gage Linahon has yet to reach the third period in his first two matches at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships.

The Cardinal senior has made quick work of his opponents so far during the 220-pound bracket of Class 3A.

Linahon is in the state semifinals after another pin in Friday's early session. He's guaranteed his second straight trip onto the podium but his goal of winning a state championship is still alive.

"It feels awesome. I'm confident but I need to focus on the next one and not overlook anyone and not overlook any matches," Linahon said.

Unfortunately for four other Jasper County wrestlers, the dream of having their hand raised in the final match of the season ended in the same session.

But Newton senior Destin Schroder and Prairie City-Monroe senior Payton Drake and junior Colby Tool all won a match to claim spots on the podium in their respective weights.

Linahon (32-1) pinned No. 10 Gavin Bascom of Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the second period to advance to Friday's semifinals later today.

"He started out strong but his conditioning wasn't there," Linahon said. "Once I had a couple takedowns on him, I rode him hard and broke him down and I could feel him slowing down. I knew I could work for wrists from that point."

In the semifinals, Linahon faces fifth-ranked C.J. Stillman (35-6) of West Des Moines Valley.

Fifth-ranked Schroder (28-3) opened his day with a loss to second-ranked Will Hoeft (21-1) of Iowa City West in the quarterfinals.

He stayed alive in the 182-pound bracket and earned his first state medal when he pinned rival Tristan Duncan of Norwalk in the third period. His next match is against seventh-ranked Justin Brindley of Southeast Polk.

"It feels good, but I wish I could have done more," Schroder said. "I put everything in winning a state title so coming back from a loss was tough. I gave that guy six free points, too."

Fifth-ranked Tool (19-3) is now a three-time place winner in 2A for PCM. He lost his quarterfinal match 4-3 to fourth-ranked Wyatt Appleseth (40-0) of Panorama.. His second match of the day was a win by fall against Johnny Perez (41-13).

Tool gets rival and ninth-ranked Logan Engebretson (42-7) of North Polk in his next match.

Eighth-ranked Drake (41-8) is a podium finisher for the second straight season. He lost 5-1 to second-ranked Kruise Kiburz of Winterset in his quarterfinal at 138. He earned a spot on the medal stand with a pin against West Deleware's Logan Peyton his elimination match.

His next match is against third-ranked Isaac Bryan (47-6) of Sargeant Bluff-Luton.

Eighth-ranked Landon Fenton (43-10) of PCM bowed out of the tournament after losing twice at 132. He was defeated by fall in the third period of his elimination match.