~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
McKinley Robbins placed second at the state wrestling tournament in the Class 2A 103-pound bracket. He is the first Ram wrestler to reach the state finals since 1995.
Robbins lost the title match to top-ranked and undefeated Camron Phetxoumphone (42-0), a sophomore from Webster City, by a 5-0 decision.
After a scoreless first period, Phetxoumphone scored two near fall points in the second. He added an escape and take down in the third for the final score. Robbins was shut out for the first time this season and finishes his first season of high school wrestling 37-2, with both losses to the Webster City wrestler.
Robbins won his first round with a 7-2 decision over Carter Anderson of Albia. In the quarterfinals, he topped Carter Kolthoff of BCLUW-SH 10-4. Robbins was convincing in winning a 15-5 major decision over previously undefeated sophomore Lane Scorpil of Columbus Community in the semifinals.
Sophomore Brenner Gallagher lost his first match at the state tournament, falling to Carter Fousek of Crestwood in a 53-second pin. Fousek, a sophomore, was the number one ranked wrestler in the 113-pound bracket. He went on to win the championship.
Gallagher won his first bout in the consolation round, defeating Osvaldo Ocampo of Sheldon/South O’Brien 12-6. He lost in round two of consolation to end his 34-15 season on the mat, falling to Rylie Anderson of Bondurant-Farrar 2-11.
Second year head coach Zach Beekman said the success last week helps motivate not only the wrestlers, but it motivates him as well.
“We knew McKinley was good enough to be a place winner, if not win it all, and Brenner winning a match down there was great,” stated Beekman. “Seeing the success we had really motivates me as we head into the off season.”
