Area wrestlers secured their spot on the mat in Des Moines this week by cracking the top two on Saturday at Wapello’s Class 1A districts.
Highland will have a pair of representatives at state in Bryce Thompson and Easton Schlabaugh. Thompson (32-3) made it look easy at 113 lbs with a first period fall in 1:40 in the semifinal and dominating the championship with a 17-3 major decision to place first. Schlabaugh’s (39-6) semifinal pin at 106 lbs in 23 seconds proved to be enough to advance. The sophomore lost the first place match by fall, but did not need to compete in a wrestle back to claim second. Carlos Valenzuela (30-10) was one win shy of moving on by placing third at 126 lbs. The sophomore lost his first match by fall, but turned around to pin his second opponent in 5:13. That win set up a wrestle back with Midland’s Damon Huston where Valenzuela lost by fall in 1:11.