Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Midway through his senior season Gage Marty had a decision to make.

Drop down to 220 pounds or go all-in at 285.

After some deliberation Marty opted to battle with the big boys at heavyweight.

Now the Solon senior is a state semifinalist.

Top-ranked Marty (47-2) secured his first ever trip to the state semifinals with an 11-0 major decision over West Delaware’s Cameron Geuther in the Class 2A quarterfinals on Friday morning at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

“Coach (Aaron) Hadenfeldt and I were talking early on the season and the last time I got down (to 220) I didn’t feel great and I just decided to go with heavyweight,” Marty said. “Once I got there I didn’t look back.”

Marty was 255 pounds this fall when he earned all-state honors as a two-way lineman for the Solon football team that advanced to the 3A semifinals.

A state medalist the past two seasons at 195 and 220 pounds Marty planned to make the cut to 220 for a state title run as a senior.

The state title run has materialized for Marty only at higher weight class.

“He wanted to go down to 220 just to try it out and he didn’t feel great down there,” Hadenfeldt said. “Right after we got from Christmas break he dropped down and we came back and he had already made up his mind he wanted to go to heavyweight and he’s right there with both 220 or 285 so it was up to him.”

The move up to 285 has come with its benefits.

Mainly, full plates at meals.

“All three years I’ve had to watch my weight a little bit,” Marty said. “This year I haven’t really had to do that. I pretty much full feed so that’s pretty nice.”

The move to 285 has also come with plenty of success.
Marty brings a 15-match winning streak into his Friday night semifinal against fourth-ranked Ethan Hooyer (42-7) of Sioux Center.

“We’ll go back and get some good stuff in his system and get ready to roll,” Hadenfeldt said. “He should be proud of getting there and I know that he is but that’s not on his bucket list, he’s ready to take the next step. He’s earned it. He’s earned everything he’s getting.”

Even during a sophomore season spent at 195 pounds or last year when he finished sixth at state at 220 pounds Marty felt his wrestling style fit the heavyweight division.

He has proved to be right with his lone loss at 285 pounds coming to Class 3A top-ranked Jake Walker of Waverly-Shell Rock.

“I just feel better physically at heavyweight,” Marty said. “Going from 195 to heavyweight I’ve always had that kind of style. I think I’ve always had the natural heavyweight style. I’m kind of a boring wrestler.”

Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament

At Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines

Quarterfinals (Area wrestlers)

285 – Gage Marty (Solon) major dec. Cameron Geuther (West Delaware) 11-0

Friday’s Semifinal matches

285 – No. 1 Gage Marty (47-2), Sr., Solon vs. No. 4 Ethan Hooyer (42-7) Sr., Sioux Center

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