Six members of the Union boys wrestling team qualified for state last Saturday, Feb. 12, during the Class 2A District 5 wrestling tournament in New Hampton. All six were also district champions in their respective weight classes. District champions pictured from left to right include Brayden Bohnsack, Caleb Olson, Stone Schmitz, Dacoda Marvets, Jace Hedeman, and Hunter Worthen. District qualifier Keegan Ellsworth is also pictured (far right). Keegan placed third in his weight class and will not advance to the state tournament. Photo courtesy Krystal Schmitz

The powerhouse Union Knights boys wrestling team punched six tickets to the Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament this past Saturday, Feb. 12, during the Class 2A District 5 tournament in New Hampton.

Seven members of the team made their way to New Hampton to compete at districts having qualified the weekend before during sectionals in Independence.

Of the seven, only Keegan Ellsworth (138) failed to qualify for state, finishing third after losing by decision to Independence’s Carter Straw during the second place wrestleback. Ellsworth also lost to the reigning 126-pounds state champion Carter Fousek of Crestwood in his opening semifinal match.

The other six Union wrestlers who made it to districts include Jace Hedeman (106), Brayden Bohnsack (113), Caleb Olson (132), Hunter Worthen (152), Stone Schmitz (160), and Dacoda Marvets (195) — each captured the district championship in their respective weight class on Saturday and are now state wrestling bound.

Hedeman won both his matches by fall – his semifinal match against Waukon’s Skyler Dugan in just 27 seconds, the fastest fall of the tournament by 12 seconds.

Union wrestler Caleb Olson lifts Crestwood’s Ethan Govern during the 132 pounds district semifinal match in New Hampton last Saturday. Olson won by fall in five minutes and 19 seconds over Govern. Photo courtesy Krystal Schmitz

Hedeman will face Ethan Long of Monticello in the opening round of the state tournament on Thursday. The winner will go on to face either fifth-ranked Emmitt Newton of Davis County or eighth-ranked Aiden Smith of Atlantic.

Bohnsack won by technical fall 18-3 in his opening semifinal match before winning in sudden victory over Crestwood’s Cole Schmauss for the district championship title.

Bohnsack will see stout competition in the first round of the tournament Thursday as he faces ninth-ranked Jackson Showalter of Hampton-Dumont. Should he advance, he would face either top-seeded and undefeated Kade Blume of Roland-Story or Seth Ettelman of Southwest Iowa.

Olson won both his semifinal and championship matches by fall for the 132-pounds title.

He’ll face eighth-ranked Noah Parmalee of Sergeant Bluff-Luton in the first round of state action. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals where they will see either Cason Miller of Fairfield or third-ranked Dominik Ridout of East Marshall/GMG.

Union wrestler Hunter Worthen wrestles Crestwood’s Cole Butikofer for the 152 pounds district championship during the Class 2A District 5 wrestling tournament in New Hampton last Saturday. Worthen won by decision 3-1 over Butikofer and now moves on to the state tournament in Des Moines this week. Photo courtesy Krystal Schmitz

Worthen won his opening semifinal match by fall over Decorah’s Brody Hanson and then won the 152-pounds championship match by decision 3-1 over Crestwood’s eighth-ranked Cole Butikofer.

Worthen will face Tim Benson of East Marshall/GMG in the opening round on Thursday and could run into the likes of No. 6 Logan Peyton of West Delaware and No. 5 Garrett Seaba of Clarion-Goldfield-Dows ahead of the finals round.

Schmitz pinned both his opponents for the 160-pounds title, while Marvets did the same for the 195-pounds title and his first ever trip to the tournament as a senior.

Schmitz earned a No. 2 seed in his 160-pound bracket and will open competition against Lance Helm of Albia.

Marvets meanwhile will begin with a match against 10th-ranked Carter Smuck of Winterset.

Union wrestler, senior Stone Schmitz raises his hand after winning the 160 pounds district championship during the Class 2A District 5 wrestling tournament in New Hampton last Saturday. Schmitz won by fall over Charles City’s Kayden Blunt in one minute and 22 seconds and now moves on to the state tournament in Des Moines this week. Photo courtesy Krystal Schmitz

The Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament begins this week on Thursday, Feb. 17, in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. Class 2A first round is set to begin at 9:00 a.m.

The Class 2A Quarterfinals are set for Friday, Feb. 18, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Saturday’s state semifinals and finals wrestling action begins at 10:00 a.m. for all classes with the awards ceremony set for 5:45 p.m.