Eight area wrestlers set for state tourney

 DES MOINES (Feb. 15) -- There’s no such thing as an easy draw at the State Wrestling Tournament, and that’s particularly true for this year’s eight area qualifiers.
 Among the two state qualifiers from Harlan Community and six from AHSTW, seven will face a first-round opponent ranked in the top 10 of their weight class by The Predicament when competition begins Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. The state meet will continue Friday and Saturday and conclude with the championship finals on Saturday night.
 AHSTW junior Gabe Pauley (52-0) and HCHS senior Nick Foss (37-1) lead the local charge to Des Moines with serious state championship aspirations. Pauley, who placed third at 160 pounds last year, is currently ranked number one in Class 1A at 170. Foss, a fifth-place medalist at 182 last year, is ranked 2nd in 2A at 195.
 The remaining qualifiers include: Oscar Olmos of HCHS (145) along with AHSTW’s Joel Sampson (113), Elliot Young (120), Joe Kenkel (182), Gavyn Fischer (195) and Brady Canada (220). None of the six own state rankings, but all have won at least 31 matches this season, led by Fischer’s 50-9 record.

 
 

 

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