Five ACGC grapplers made it to the final stage of the gauntlet leading up to the IAHSAA State Wrestling Tournament as they competed in the Class 1A District 2 Tournament at Interstate-35 High School in Truro on Saturday. Of the five to make it to the District round, three have punched their tickets to “The Well”. Those three include senior Blaine Beeler (120), sophomore Gunnar Larsen (132), and senior Easton Benson (138).

Beeler, who was on the state roster as a freshman for Guthrie Center High School in 2016, shares his thoughts on getting one more chance at a state title. “Feels pretty good. I knew that first match was going to be a tough one, I knew I had to wrestle my best. I had a good chance. So it’s nice to be back there again, have two teammates coming with me. Pretty good feeling.”

Larsen, who was the lone District Champion for the gold and black, shares what was going through his mind as he was about to clinch a berth at state. “Had to keep scoring. It was close and (I) didn’t want to give up any points at the end. Just trying to stay in good position and finish it.”

Benson, who bounced back from a shoulder injury at the West Central Activities Conference duals, shares his thoughts on reaching “The Well” for the first time. “Feels great being a senior making state. Big accomplishment. Proud of myself.”

Seniors Gabe Rowley (145) and Ben Kingery (195) finished in 3rd and 4th respectively in their weight classes. The trio joins five other wrestlers from Guthrie County headed to Des Moines this week. The state tournament is this Thursday-Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. A complete breakdown of ACGC matches can be found below:

IHSAA 1A Dist 2 Results for AC/GC

120

Blaine Beeler (35-9) placed 2nd and scored 13.0 team points.

• Semifinal – Blaine Beeler (AC/GC) 35-9 won by major decision over Randy Jimenez (SE Warren) 26-15 (MD 10-2)
• 1st Place Match – Casey Baker (Interstate 35) 43-2 won by fall over Blaine Beeler (AC/GC) 35-9 (Fall 2:49)
• 2nd Place Match – Blaine Beeler (AC/GC) 35-9 won by rule over Randy Jimenez (SE Warren) 26-15 (RULE)

132

Gunnar Larsen (32-5) placed 1st and scored 18.0 team points.

• Semifinal – Gunnar Larsen (AC/GC) 32-5 won by fall over Trent Terrell (Wayne) 19-16 (Fall 2:57)
• 1st Place Match – Gunnar Larsen (AC/GC) 32-5 won by decision over Joel Sampson (AHSTW) 33-16 (Dec 8-5)

138

Easton Benson (28-11) placed 2nd and scored 14.0 team points.

• Semifinal – Easton Benson (AC/GC) 28-11 won by fall over Tay VanDyne (Wayne) 25-10 (Fall 1:11)
• 1st Place Match – Sherman Hayes (East Union) 29-7 won by fall over Easton Benson (AC/GC) 28-11 (Fall 4:32)
• 2nd Place Match – Easton Benson (AC/GC) 28-11 won by rule over Tay VanDyne (Wayne) 25-10 (RULE)

145

Gabe Rowley (39-12) placed 3rd and scored 10.0 team points.

• Semifinal – Kaleb Bauer (SE Warren) 7-6 won by major decision over Gabe Rowley (AC/GC) 39-12 (MD 11-1)
• 3rd Place Match – Gabe Rowley (AC/GC) 39-12 won by fall over Elliot Ness (Central Decatur) 26-18 (Fall 3:05)
• 2nd Place Match – Kaleb Bauer (SE Warren) 7-6 won by rule over Gabe Rowley (AC/GC) 39-12 (RULE)

195

Ben Kingery (33-16) placed 4th and scored 0.0 team points.

• Semifinal – Antonio Arzani (Interstate 35) 18-3 won by fall over Ben Kingery (AC/GC) 33-16 (Fall 5:37)
• 3rd Place Match – Bryce Vanderlune (SE Warren) 27-16 won by fall over Ben Kingery (AC/GC) 33-16 (Fall 2:44)