Mustangs Take the District Tournament by Storm
Story by Kael Riniker
Mount Vernon won the district wrestling tournament last Saturday, scoring 209 points as a team. Mount Vernon is sending eight wrestlers to the state tournament this week, an incredible feat for any wrestling team.
Sophomore Caysen Curran was among these wrestlers, wrestling at 190 pounds. Curran had to face more obstacles than anyone else at the tournament last Saturday, Curran faced his competition while wearing a soft cast due to a fracture in his right hand. “It was difficult to grab people and keep them down,” Curran said. “Many of my opponents liked to attack my broken hand.” Despite the challenges of his broken hand, he was able to place second at the District tournament, earning himself a spot in the state tournament.
Junior Ethan Wood was another of the wrestlers who qualified for state in the 285-pound weight class. Wood currently has a 39-3 record and is looking for a shot at the state title in the coming week. At the district tournament, Wood won by fall over Russel Coil, Coil at this was ranked third in the state of Iowa at 285 pounds with an undefeated record. With such a big match and so much on the line, Wood had to approach this match a little differently. “I had a feeling I could pin him, so I wanted to push the pace and get on my offense to open up an opportunity to get the pin,” said Wood. Wood would do just that, pinning him in the second period while up 6-2. Wood has high ambitions for this coming tournament. This tournament certainly helped Wood with his confidence. “The match gave more confidence in my offense against top opponents,” said Wood. After this win, Wood has all the momentum heading into the state tournament.
Junior Watson Krob is another wrestler who made a significant impact at the district tournament in the 175-pound weight class. Krob swept through the tournament up until the finals. Krob would quickly pin his first two opponents in the first period. In the finals Krob won a tight hard fought match, ending in a 6-4 victory. With this being Krob’s first state appearance his goals are simple. “My goals are to improve and win some matches, I also want to have fun and enjoy my experience,” said Krob. Going into the tournament Krob treated districts like every other meet. “I didn’t think much of it, I just went out and wrestled like every other meet this year,” said Krob.
Senior Klayten Perreault finished districts with a historic season in the 106-pound weight class. Perreault is currently 42-0 in his senior wrestling season so far. Achieving an undefeated record is an incredible accomplishment, even more impressive is how many falls he has achieved so far. Perreault set the fall record this year when he reached thirty-five falls at the state dual tournament. Perreault currently has thirty-seven falls and shows no signs of slowing down, having pinned both of his opponents in the district wrestling tournament. Perreault is a favorite to take home the state championship this Saturday.
Sophomore Jase Jaspers is looking for another shot at the state title this year, this time in the 138-pound weight class. In 2023, Jaspers placed second in the 126-pound weight class after a hard-fought run. Jaspers got second at the district wrestling meet, after meeting Schmidt of Solon for the fourth time this season. This loss only motivated Jaspers and does not impact his odds of winning the state title. Jaspers had just three losses on the season and will be seeded second in the state tournament.
Senior Jackson Jaspers, brother of Jase Jaspers placed first at the district wrestling tournament, qualifying for fourth year. Jaspers is a three-time state placer in high school, looking to do it again for the fourth time. This is a feat rarely achieved by high school athletes. Jaspers had only five losses this season and will be seeded fourth at state.
Junior Jakob Haugse is making his second straight state appearance after the district tournament after placing second in the district wrestling meet at 120 pounds. Haugse last year did not place at the state tournament in the 113-pound weight class and is looking to turn it around this year.
Sophomore Michael Ryan placed first in the 150-pound weight class at the district wrestling meet last Saturday, and will be looking to place yet again at the state tournament. Last year, at 138 pounds, Ryan placed eighth in the state tournament. This year Ryan will be looking to win it all.
Those who competed without qualifying include C.J Martin (113), Drew Thurn (126), Kaleb Keegan (132), Jackson Hird (157), Will Goodlove (165), and Kael Riniker(215).
