A week that began with coach Drew Kelly’s boys capturing an impressive fourth-place finish in Wednesday’s State Duals, ended with an 11th-place finish in the traditional state tournament, leaving the Lancers outside the top 10 for the first time in four years, and just the second time in seven.
Without a single Lancer advancing to Saturday night’s finals, North Scott wrapped up its tournament Saturday afternoon with four wrestlers earning coveted top-eight spots and the right to bask in the limelight of the Saturday night spotlight.
Leading the way were junior Deven Strief (145) and sophomore Peyton Westlin (120), who both finished fourth. Strief, who came home fifth at 138 a year ago, had to bounce back from a heartbreaking semifinal loss.
Senior Jake Matthaidess, a three-time state qualifier, finished sixth at 160, and was on the podium for the second time after finishing third at 152 as a junior.
Senior Zach Campbell, a returning state qualifier, realized his goal of standing on the podium after finishing seventh at 170.
It marked the third straight year that four Lancers earned podium finishes, and that streak was oh-so-close to being broken. Sophomore Trace Gephart (113), senior Cael Bredar (126) and junior Josh Connor (132) all finished one win away from securing top-eight finishes.
NSP photos by Scott Campbell and Derek Sawvell.
