Peach, Thompson gain valuable experience at State tournament

    The English Valleys wrestling program sent two boys to Des Moines to compete in the State tournament and try and finish out the season on another podium, this time competing with the best of the best wrestlers in the state. It was the first appearance on the big stage for Caleb Peach and Seth Thompson. While neither managed to place in their weight class, they will use the experience gained for next year.

    Peach wrestled in the 170-pound weight class when competition began on February 15. In his first round he was quickly pinned in under one minute and was then sent to the consolation side of the bracket. The following day he fared much better, finding himself down for most of his match but kept himself from getting pinned. Peach racked up points along the way, pushing his match to the very end but falling short 7-11. The two losses pushed his record to 35-20, with his senior season still to come.

    Thompson got a little deeper into his bracket at 120-pounds but was unable to make the podium. He went the distance in his first match but was able to finally outlast his opponent with a 7-5 decision. Thompson then put up more of a defensive battle in the second round but was held off the scoreboard in a 0-1 loss. At that point Thompson still had a chance to make it as high as third if he won his next three matches.

    In his first consolation match Thompson kept things close again, picking up a point from an escape early on. His opponent brought him down once and then neither of them wound up getting any more points. Thompson tried to make a move late to tie things up, but just ran out of time. The loss ended his individual competition and EV’s competition at the State tournament. His season ended with a 34-16 record but made a statement in getting to State in only his second year for EV.

    “State was a great experience for both of them, they wrestled hard and left it all on the mat,” English Valleys coach Steve Hester said. “Seth was two points away from placing. I am very proud of their effort and everything they accomplished this year. They represented the school and athletic program well in Des Moines.”


 

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