Baayen makes podium for Panthers at State

The historic season for the Pekin Panthers wrestling season is over. A year that began with a group of guys who set their sights high even before the season began nearly three months ago. Many of them hadn’t even placed at the District meet, but they wanted that all to change. Fast-forward to late January when the Panthers began to roll, not only as individuals, but as a team. Following a first-place finish at Sectionals, then Districts, the Panthers send five guys to the State meet for the first time in over 30 years.

    The magic came to a halt for most of the Panthers, as Keaton Baayen was the lone wrestler to make it on the podium in the Well in Des Moines. The tournament began February 15, and after day one only three Panthers advanced.

    Zach Hammes (132-pounds) got things started for Pekin, but he was one of the two who was cut after day one. Hammes was unable to find much rhythm in either of his matches, lasting until midway through the second period in his opening match before being pinned and then losing his next decision 2-10. The two losses pushed his record to 23-8, but he will be returning for his senior season.

    The next Panther to compete was Drake Harbison (138-pounds), who gave himself a chance at making the podium, coming up a little shy. His first competition was a low-scoring very close match up till the end, in which he was on the short side of a 3-4 decision. He got another chance that same day to try and stay alive, and he made the most of it. In another low-scoring match, Harbison pushed things into overtime with the score tied at three. In the shortened extra periods, neither wrestler managed to score a point until the third overtime, in which Harbison escaped his opponent to get a 4-3 win. His first match of day two was his last, as he was pinned midway through the first period. Harbison saw limited action as a senior, ending his season with a 9-5 record.

    “All five guys that wrestled at the State tournament didn’t want their season to end and we knew our only hurdle would be getting them comfortable with the venue and atmosphere,” Pekin coach Al Chapman said. “We approached each session in a relaxed matter, so they wouldn’t burn any extra energy prior to wrestling.”

    Another senior, Baayen, was able to make a big impact in the 152-pound weight class. His first couple days saw ups and downs, as he opened his State appearance with a narrow 7-6 decision to guarantee him a second day. His next opponent pinned him midway through the first, which sent him to the consolation bracket. There he beat his first opponent with a late takedown after keeping the score tied for a duration of the match but won 5-3.

With two matches away from a potential third-place match, Baayen came up just shy of advancing. It appeared he was in the motion of getting a reversal on his opponent as time expired, but the officials declared he hadn’t completed the process, suffering a 2-3 loss. That sent him into a match for seventh place, in which he won by forfeit. To make it on the podium, he’d had to be in the top eight, and he just snuck in at seventh.

“To send five Panthers to the “Show” was one thing, but to get at least one on the podium on Saturday night was inspiring to the rest of his teammates,” Chapman said. “We can use Keaton’s work ethic and attitude in the room next year to get everyone to realize the sacrifices it takes to get to that level.”

Kaden Baker (160-pounds) was the fourth Panther to compete under the lights, also making it past day one. In his first match he was quickly pinned in under 40 seconds, which meant he’d have to wrestle another match later in the day. Baker responded with a match that was close all three periods, but advanced with a 5-3 decision. Day two wound up sending him home early, as he lost in a 1-8 decision. Baker was a senior for the Panthers and ended his season with a 32-16 record.

“With Drake and Kaden finishing 1-2, finishing in the top 12 of their weight class, and coming so close to medaling on their last season was rough on our entire wrestling family,” Chapman said. “This group of seniors have been wrestling together for many years, so when one hurts we all hurt, but at the same time we will all become stronger.”

The final Panther to wrestle was Mason Juhl (195-pounds) making it to the tournament as only a freshman. He lost his first match in a high-scoring 9-13 decision, which featured many takedowns from both wrestlers. Juhl then got a second chance later in the day to keep his first appearance going but got pinned in the first period. He ended his season with a 37-13 record.

“With Zach and Mason going 0-2 the first night was tough on them, but fortunately we get them back next year,” Chapman said. “To have two returning State qualifiers along with Hunter Conger (District qualifier) back in the room next year, we look for these three to take the reins and lead the rest of the team. All three will be hungry to stand somewhere on the podium at the Well next year.”