The high school wrestling season is over and the Greene County Rams have a lot to celebrate. Coach Zach Beekman’s team finished in tenth place in the Class 2A State Tournament team race, by far the highest finish in the 10 years competing as Greene County. Juniors Kale Petersen (120  lbs.) and McKinley Robbins (132 lbs.) both wrestled in Saturday night’s finals, with Petersen winning and Robbins finishing in second place. Two finalists was also a first as Greene County and just the second time that has happened in the 56-year history of the Jefferson-based high school wrestling program.

Petersen became a two-time State Champion and prevented Webster City’s Camron Phetxoumphone from winning his third title by completing a 13-0 season on the strength of four takedowns in an 8-5 decision. The Ram spoiled the Lynx’ unbeaten season by handing him his first loss in 42 matches this season. Petersen won the 1A title at 106 for West Fork (Sheffield) in 2021 and transferred to Greene County at the start of this school year. Due to transfer rules, he wasn’t eligible until the last week of the regular season, which is why he has so few matches. Petersen also knocked off an unbeaten in the semifinals Friday afternoon when he won 10-3 over Columbus/WMU’s Lane Scorpil.

Robbins lost 5-3 on Saturday night to Blaine Frazier of team champion West Burlington/Notre Dame, the same wrestler Robbins beat in the 2021 final at 120 lbs. Frazier scored two early takedowns for a 4-1 lead that stood up. The Nike finished his senior season at 53-0 while Robbins fell to 45-4 with all four losses at the hands of State Champions. He lost twice this season to Frazier, once to 1A champion Gable Porter of Underwood, and once to 3A Champion Evan Frost of Dowling Catholic, who is a four-time champion, with three titles in Louisiana before moving to Iowa.