Four Crestwood grapplers advance to State Tournament

INDEPENDENCE - Battling hard at the Class 2A District 5 Tournament Saturday, the Crestwood wrestling team qualified four individuals for the State Wrestling Tournament, which starts on Feb. 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

No. 2 Kaden Anderlik finished second at 120 pounds to earn his second trip to State. Anderlik placed sixth at State in 2016. No. 6 Ryan Steffen grabbed first at 145 to punch his fourth ticket to State. Steffen placed fifth in 2015, fourth in 2016 and was fifth in 2017. No. 7 Colter Bye grabbed first place at 160 to earn his first trip to State. At 285, No. 9 Jacob Knutson took first to earn his second trip to State. Knutson qualified for State in 2016. As a team, the Cadets finished second with 94 points.

In the other Cadet matches at the district tourney, Nathaniel Bigalk placed fourth at 106, Chris Guest took third at 152, Judd Grover finished third at 182 and Stone Peckham was third at 220 pounds.

First round matchups at State on Feb. 15 for the Cadets are as follows. 120: Kaden Anderlik (39-2) vs. Carson Babcock, NH-TV (44-6). 145: Ryan Steffen (34-8) vs. Eric Campie, Camanche (41-10). 160: Colter Bye (38-3) vs. Luke Martin, Bishop Heelan (48-6). 285: Jacob Knutson (35-8) vs Blake Bradley, Dubuque Wahlert (23-3).

Cadet Head Coach Keith Slifka said he knew the district tournament would be a very tough test.

“At 106, Nathaniel Bigalk had a tough road,” Slifka said. “He did the best he could do. 

“Wrestling at 120, Kaden Anderlik went against the Union kid (No. 4 Jack Thomsen) in the finals. It was a tough match for Kaden, and he got a little frustrated (losing a 10-3 decision). Kaden did qualify for State by taking second, and he’s got a good spot at State. Kaden is not satisfied by taking second at districts, but he’s going to State and anything can happen there.

“At 145, Ryan Steffen qualified for State for the fourth straight year. He’s also a three-time State semifinalist. Ryan wrestled the best of anyone. He showed his experience at districts, and I’m excited for Ryan. I think he’ll do well at State.

“Chris Guest wrestled hard at 152. At this point of the season, you go up against some really tough kids.

“At 160, Colter Bye wrestled nice. This will be his first time at State. He has had a very strong season so far, and we’re looking for big things at State for Colter.

“At 182, Judd Grover won his first round match (against Mitchell McFarland of Waterloo Columbus). We knew it would be tough in the finals against Jordan Bries of West Delaware, who Judd had faced two other times. I’m very pleased of the way Judd wrestled, and he added a lot to our team late in the season. I know he didn’t finish the year the way he wanted to, but I’m very proud of Judd.

“At 220, Stone Peckham went against two very good wrestlers (Hunter Crawford of Independence and Tayte Nauman of East Marshall). Stone finished third, and we were happy with that. We were also pleased to see Jacob Knutson first at 285. Jacob wrestled well.

“Overall, I’m excited about how we wrestled at districts. Going down to State, I think all four of our guys have a chance to get a medal.

“Now we have to re-group. We know it’s possible to be undefeated going into State and not win a match. It comes down to who is ready and mentally prepared to wrestle.

“Having some experienced guys going into State helps us. We have three guys (Anderlik, Steffen and Knutson) who have been there before. I think having that experience helps your mindset (going into State). They know they just have to leave everything out there on the mat,” Slifka said.

Team standings: 1. West Delaware 115; 2. Crestwood 94; 3. Union 87; 4 (tie). Decorah and Independence 58; 6. Vinton-Shellsburg 52; 7. North Fayette Valley 32; 8. East Marshall 24; 9. Waukon 21; 10. Oelwein 11.

Cadet results

106: Nathaniel Bigalk 4th

Semifinals - Kolten Crawford (U) over Nathaniel Bigalk (CW) (Fall 4:41); 3rd Place - Luke Farmer (WD) over Bigalk (CW) (MD 10-1).

120: Kaden Anderlik 2nd

Semi - Kaden Anderlik (CW) over Dane Thompson (EM) (Fall 1:28); 1st Place - Jack Thomsen (U) over Anderlik (CW) (Dec 10-3); 2nd Place -  Anderlik (CW) over Dane Thompson (EM) (RULE).

145: Ryan Steffen 1st

Semi - Ryan Steffen (CW) over Gavin Miller (U) (Fall 2:35); 1st Place - Steffen (CW) over Scott Betterton (V-S) (Fall 5:17).

152: Chris Guest 3rd

Semi - Jarret Orr (Ind) over Chris Guest (CW) (Fall 0:39); 2nd Place - Jarret Orr (Ind) over Chris Guest (CW) (RULE); 3rd Place - Guest (CW) over Cole Nauman (EM) (Dec 11-7).

160: Colter Bye 1st

Semi - Colter Bye (CW) over Payton Pelke (U) (MD 9-0); 1st Place - Bye (CW) over Bryan Graves (O) (Dec 5-1).

182: Judd Grover 3rd

Semi - Judd Grover (CW) over Mitchell McFarland (Col) (Dec 7-4); 1st Place - Jordan Bries (WD) over Grover (CW) (Fall 1:54); 2nd Place - Lane Albertsen (U) over Grover (CW) (Fall 3:24).

220: Stone Peckham 3rd

Semi - Hunter Crawford (Ind) over Stone Peckham (CW) (Dec 8-3); 2nd Place - Hunter Crawford (Ind) over Peckham (CW) (RULE); 3rd Place - Peckham (CW) over Tayte Nauman (EM) (Fall 0:20).

285: Jacob Knutson 1st

Semi - Jacob Knutson (CW) over Bryce Timmerman (Ben) (Dec 6-1); 1st Place -  Knutson (CW) over Carson Petlon (WD) (Dec 6-0).