For Wolfpack freshman wrestler Ryan Pelster, his first visit to the NSAA State Wrestling Tournament won’t be something he will forget anytime soon.
In his first trip to state, Pelster just missed out on a medal competing in the Class D 113-pound weight division. He opened the tournament Thursday morning, dropping his first round match. William Bloom of Elk Creek pinned Pelster in 5:28.
On Friday morning, Pelster earned his first victory in the 113-pound weight class at the state meet, pinning Hemingford’s Lee Jespersen in 2:30. The victory advanced Pelster to the consolation second round where he faced Shea Shannon of Franklin. Pelster ended Shannon’s run at state, pinning him in 2:17.
On Friday night, Pelster’s run at state came to an end as Pender’s Josh Davis won by decision, 10 to 6. Davis finished sixth in the tournament.
Two other wrestlers competed at state for the Wolfpack.
Senior Shane Beckman posted a 1-2 record at the state meet.
Beckman won his first round match 5 to 4 over Makay Beck of Garden County. Advancing to the quarterfinals, Beckman faced Cody Krula of Thayer Central. Twenty-eight seconds into the second period, Krula pinned Beckman.
On Friday morning, competing in the consolation second round, Beckman faced Riley Noel of Meridian. With the match tied 7-all in the third period, Noel gained the upper hand and pinned Beckman at the 4:37 mark in the match. Beckman finished the season with a 34-9 record.
“Shane had a big win against a district champion in the first round, but was unable to keep the momentum going as he dropped the next two matches. He finished his senior year strong and should be proud of his accomplishments,” Coach Doug Jones said.
Andrew Fangman competed in the 132-pound weight class at state. Things didn’t go the way Fangman or the Wolfpack coaches would have liked as he lost both of his matches.
In the opening round, Toby Nordmeyer of East Butler pinned Fangman in 1:09.
Then, on Friday morning, Fangman saw his season come to an end against Brandon Bower of Bayard. Bowers won the match by technical fall 19 to 2.
Fangman finished the season with a 27-18 record.
“Andrew and Ryan had a good showing. Andrew lost both of his matches but was competitive in each of them. Ryan won two and lost two and just missed out getting a medal. Qualifying as a freshmen should provide both of these young men the motivation for success in the years to come,” Jones said.
