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Youth wrestlers compete at state tourney
Nevada Youth Wrestling Club members wrapped up an exciting season at the USA State Tournament at the Hearnes Center on the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., during the weekend of March 26-28.
The team, coached by Cory Irwin and T. J. Raney, sent a record eight competitors, each of whom advanced through the district and regional qualifying rounds, to the state meet.
Two of the eight, Spenser Daniels and Ronnie Herda, earned medals.
Daniels, in the 14-and-under, 155-pound division, placed third after a tough loss to the eventual champion in the semifinal round.
Ronnie Herda, in his first year of competitive wrestling, captured a fifth place in the 14-and-under, 165-pound class.
Other participants included the youngest NYWC qualifier, Slade Stiles, who dropped both of his matches in the 10-and-under, 100-pound class, but showed much promise as a first-year wrestler.
Jordan Hagerman, Nevada's first female state qualifier as a 12-and-under, 120 pounder, won her first match by pin fall in 34 seconds.
"She probably got everyone's attention with that performance," said Irwin. "The next two opponents were ready for her."
Tommy Hagerman, Jordan's brother, competed well in two early-round losses in the 14-and-under, 95-pound class.
Mason Heard, in the 15-and-under, 100-pound class, was pitted against several opponents with superior experience, but held his own in his first year of competition.
Ryan Herda, Ronnie's twin brother, also performed well in his maiden season.
The final state qualifier Jerrod Alexander, the most experienced NYWC wrestler with eight years in competition, was making his fifth state meet appearance. Alexander, in the tough 14-and-under, 175-pound class, failed to medal this year after a fifth-place finish in 2003.