Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – A year ago Aidan Udell advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 5-4 win.

On Thursday Udell did more than just move on in his state meet opener – the Regina senior sent a message.

Sixth-ranked Udell (34-3) returned to the Class 1A 170-pound quarterfinals for the second straight season with a second-period pin of Emmetsburg junior Cade Shirk at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

“I think it sends a message to the rest of the bracket that I am here for a reason,” Udell said. “Coming out and dominating that first match sends a message.”

Udell joined teammate Ronan Poynton in advancing to the quarterfinals on Thursday as the Regals had two of three qualifiers advance to Friday.

Ninth-ranked Poynton (35-5) moved on with an impressive 9-2 decision over seventh-ranked Chase Wickwire of Belle Plaine at 195 pounds.

For Udell the opening-round win was nothing new.

The manner of the victory is what was different for Udell in his third trip to the state meet.

“Getting that first match out of the way with any nerves you have is good,” Udell said. “It’s good to come out and win that so you feel good the rest of the tournament.”

Following a scoreless first period Udell wasted little time securing a reversal and putting Shirk on his back midway through the second period.

Udell said the experience from his previous two trips to the state meet which including a 4-2 mark and a fourth-place finish last season helped on Thursday.

“You get that home turf field which I think is a big thing,” Udell said. “When you come here over and over and over again it allows you to be comfortable in the atmosphere and I think that plays a big role in how you are going to wrestle.”

Now the focus for Udell is going where he hasn’t previously gone – the semifinals.

Udell will face No. 10 MaKade Bloker (33-6) of North Butler in the 1A quarterfinals on Friday.

Bloker won a 7-3 decision over fourth-ranked Drake Tiedemann of Northwood-Kensett in his opener on Thursday.

“The key is as the kids get better and better you have to improve,” Udell said. “You have to improve as the tournament goes on and focus on what you are going to do. You have to focus on getting to your offense and finishing.”

Poynton will face fifth-ranked Owen Huehnergarth (33-8) of Dyersville Beckman in the 195-pound quarterfinals on Friday.

Class 1A State Wrestling Tournament

At Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines

Team scores (Top 10; area teams) – 1. Don Bosco 36; 2. Lisbon 25; 3. Logan-Magnolia 21; 4. Nashua-Plainfield 19.5; 5. Underwood 18.5; 25. Regina 6; 25. West Branch 6

Opening round (Area wrestlers)

113 – Hayden Helgeson (Lake Mills) dec. Lincoln Edwards (West Branch) 8-2

160 – Karter Decker (MFL Mar-Mac) maj. dec. Sam Aitchison (Regina) 12-0

170 – Aidan Udell (Regina) pinned Cade Shirk (Emmetsburg) 3:04

195 – Ronan Poynton (Regina) dec. Chase Wickwire (Belle Plaine) 9-2

220 – Logan Wright (West Branch) maj. dec. Wyatt Hannah (Lake Mills) 9-0

First round consolation

113 – Lincoln Edwards (West Branch) pinned Gage Burden (New London) :51

160 – Garrison Gettler (AHSTW) maj. dec. Sam Aitchison (Regina) 13-4

Friday’s Quarterfinal Matches

170 – No. 6 Aidan Udell (34-3), Sr., Regina vs. No. 10 MaKade Bloker (33-6), Soph., North Butler

195 – No. 9 Ronan Poynton (35-5), Jr., Regina vs. No. 5 Owen Huehnergarth (33-8), Sr., Dyersville Beckman

220 – No. 9 Logan Wright (45-6), Soph., West Branch vs. No. 1 Matthew Francis (53-0), Sr., West Hancock

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