By Savannah Sorensen

The Trojans had a thrilling two days at the 59th annual John J. Harris wrestling tournament in Corning Jan. 24-25. The Trojans brought home a third-place team trophy and three individual champions. Creston/O-M won the tournament for the third straight year with 243.5 points, Clarinda came in second with 176.5, and the Trojans finishing third with 135 points.

Three AHS wrestlers were crowned champions: seniors Dillion Cox, Darrian Schwenke, and Tyler Christensen. Junior Reid Nichols took third, and seniors Jacob Johnson and Jez Phippen earned fifth place.

Cox had a tough and astounding win over Clarinda’s number one seeded senior Blake Luna in the finals. Cox won by decision over Luna, 7-5. It was said to be the most exciting match of the tournament for the Trojans. According to the Predicament, an Iowa wrestling website, numerous people posted hyping drama over the match. With Cox and Luna both being ranked in the top ten in their weight class, it was bound to be  an exhilarating match. According to Cox, he had been “looking forward to the match all week.” Cox and Luna will meet up again at the sectional meet in Shenandoah. Cox also said, “The rivalry is what makes it fun. I was in the moment and completely focused on the match. Blake and I have been going head to head since we were little.”

(Click here to see The Predicament posts.)

Assistant coach Drew Duff said, “Dillion got more confident after his first takedown, and only giving up one takedown.  He took control of the rest of the match and pace.”

The team went three for three in championship matches. Schwenke pinned his way through the tournament and ended with a pin over Mason Miller from Winterset. Christensen won by decision 9-4 over Kollyn Buch from Clarinda, and Cox won with the decision over Luna.

Duff said, “Overall, we were happy with a third-place finish with taking 12 guys. We still have improving to do with guys losing close and overtime matches. Losing six matches on Friday that we shouldn’t have was tough.” He also said they were pleased with the overall performances and getting a jumpstart for the next couple weeks.

Freshman Zac Stork said, “I lost in the placing round in overtime. My conditioning wasn’t as good. My goal was to place.”

The Trojans are back in action on Feb. 1st in Denison for the Hawkeye Ten Conference tournament and begins at 10 a.m.