The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows wrestling team made the trip north and east on Tuesday evening, to compete in their Class 2A Regional Dual against Algona, with the winner advancing to face #1 Osage soon following. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows defeated Algona in a dual earlier in the year in North Central Conference action.
Unlike the first time around, Algona sprinted out of the gate with 3 wins via 2 decisions and a major decision from Barrett Morgan (126), Taevyn Zinnel (132) and Tate Slagle (138) to lead 10-0 after three weights. Clarion would then rattle off 5 wins in a row, starting with a Caleb Seaba major decision, followed by four pins in a row from Cale Kirstein, Mack Seaba, Nash Lienemann and Mason Allen to put the Cowboys up 28-10. Gavin Goche slowed the Cowboys momentum briefly with a 3-1 decision over Erick Perez at 195 lbs, but Ashtin Willms responded with a 12-6 decision over Hunter Kollasch to put the Cowboys up 31-13. Algona would then storm back in the final four weights, beginning with a Cohen Reffer decision over Reid Huntley at 285 lbs. Elijah Wilhite would then pick up a major decision over Ryan Hartwig at 106 lbs, before Jacob Zabka pinned Rigo Bobadilla in under a minute at 113 lbs to bring the score to 31-26. In the final match at 120 lbs, Kolton Hefti kept himself afloat against Isaac Wilson and held Wilson to a 12-7 decision win, as CGD escaped with a 31-29 win.
The Cowboys were then greeted by the top-ranked Green Devils of Osage, who were out to prove once more, why they have been deemed the top team in 2A. The Green Devils would win the first 11 matches of the dual, including 7 pins to take a commanding 54-0 lead. Rigo Bobadilla would finally get the Cowboys on the board with a 12-8 decision over Garrett Tusler at 113 lbs, before Blake Fox pinned Kolton Hefti at 120 lbs to make the score 60-3. Ethan Traub would have the final say with a pin over Ty Voigt at 126 lbs to bring the final to 60-9 as the Green Devils advance to the state duals.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows is slated to return to action on February 11th for the Class 2A, District 7 tournament at Iowa Falls-Alden High School.