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It was another exciting weekend in wrestling, and we are getting closer and closer to the season. This past weekend Cedar Falls hosted the Preseason Nationals tournament and after looking over all the brackets in both high school divisions, one individual emerged as the favorite for Wrestler of the Week. That wrestler was Johnston’s Henry Pohlmeyer, who won the Junior/Senior 120lb bracket. Pohlmeyer opened the tournament with three dominating wins, a 7-0 decision, 8-0 major decision, and 0:26 Fall to reach the quarterfinals. From there Pohlmeyer kept rolling picking up a major decision over Izzy Style Wrestling’s Carlos Jacquez. In the semifinals he pinned nationally ranked Brock Rathbun (0:51), and that setup a showdown with Iowa City West’s Tanner Rohweder. This past year at the 3A state tournament Pohlmeyer finished 2nd in the 113 bracket, and Rohweder was the 4th place finisher in that same bracket. The result would be the same as Pohlmeyer came out on top on what was his closest match of the weekend, a 3-2 victory. It’s no surprise that Pohlmeyer was also named the tournaments most Outstanding Wrestler.
Honorable Mention
Gabrielle Lord Klein (9-3) claimed an 8-2 decision over Warner Pacific College’s Kaitlyn Eddy, scored a 10-0 technical fall against McKendree University Purple’s Brianna Andazola and received a forfeit against Wayland Baptist University Gold on Friday. She earned a 10-0 technical fall over Life University’s Destiny Robinson during Saturday’s bronze bracket quarterfinal.
Josh Portillo had a great preseason tournament as he also brought home another title. Portillo recently dropped to 113 after spending the last two weeks at 120. Portillo won his title by defeating 3A 113 state champion Jack Wagner of Bettendorf.
Alex Thomsen continues his great start to his freshman campiagn as he follows up a Conflict at Carver title with the 9th/10th grade title winning four of his seven matches by bonus.
Bryce Steiert won his 160 title in a pretty stacked field. #48 (D1 college wrestling) recruit Dayton Racer finished 3rd, and Steiert won the head-to-head matchup with #51 recruit Brett Bye of South Dakota.
Max Thomsen, who like Steiert is a UNI commit, looked comfortable in his future home of Cedar Falls by bringing home the 145 title with one fall, a technical fall, and two major decisions.
Well deserved honor; you’re a solid person as well as being a great wrestler. Congrats Henry!