Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Diego Robertty didn’t get the finish he wanted on Saturday at the Class 3A state wrestling meet.

However, this is just the beginning of the wrestling journey for the talented West High freshman.

Robertty dropped a 10-9 decision to second-ranked Carew Christensen of Waukee Northwest in the 113-pound state title match on Saturday at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines.

The runner-up finish ended a stellar debut season for top-ranked Robertty (38-2) who reached the title match with consecutive wins over the fourth and third ranked wrestlers.

“You just support him right now, it hurts. I’ve personally been there, we’ve watched Hunter Garvin be there, this isn’t anything new in this sport. The sun comes up tomorrow,” West High coach Nate Moore said. “It’s not going to derail him. It’s just part of his journey.”

Robertty got off to a strong start in the title match with a takedown less than 10 seconds into the opening period.

He led 3-1 after the first period but Christensen (42-3) scored the next two takedowns, one each in the second and third periods to take an 8-3 lead.

“He can score takedowns on anybody I think in the world at hiss age level he just has to keep that pace and can’t let guys in on the legs and just stay strong defensively and stick to where he is good at,” Moore said. “When he kind of lulls them to sleep that’s when we get in trouble.”

Robertty battled back.

He cut the lead to 8-5 with a reversal and trailed just 9-8 following a takedown with 35 seconds remaining but could get no closer.

“He wasn’t going to give up, the worst enemy for him is the clock,” Moore said. “He is 14 years old and a lot of kids have been in his shoes and I don’t know if he’s every wrestled in a tournament like this.”

Robertty was one of four Trojans to earn medals as West High finished 13th in the Class 3A team standings with 75 points.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch him wrestle and he’s a good kid,” Moore said. “This is going to be kind of sad night for him but he’s got a lot of wrestling ahead of him.”

Alexander Pierce (49-1) posted a pair of consolation wins on Saturday morning to cap a brilliant career with a third-place finish at 126 pounds.

Pierce won a 4-1 decision over fifth-ranked Joey Cahill in the consolation semifinals and won a 5-2 decision over fourth-ranked Cale Vandermark of Ankeny Centennial in the third-place match.

Senior Kaden Stitt (40-9) finished sixth at 285 pounds for West High while senior Campbell Janis (39-13) was eighth at 165 pounds.

“They are the first set of seniors since 2014 that went to state duals,” Moore said. “They are good leaders and we are going to miss them a lot.”

Liberty High senior Landon Bell (11-2) improved on his fifth-place finish from last season placing fourth at 175 pounds.

West High junior Zyaire Washpun (34-14) secured the first state medal of his career with an eighth-place finish at 138 pounds.

Class 3A State Tournament

At Casey’s Center in Des Moines

Team scores (Top 10; area teams) – 1. Southeast Polk 229; 2. Bettendorf 145.5; 3. Indianola 134; 4. West Des Moines Dowling 130.5; 5. Waukee Northwest 115.5; 6. Linn-Mar 109; 7. Council Bluffs Lewis Central 85.5; 8. Fort Dodge 83; 9. North Scott 82; 10. Waverly-Shell Rock 81; 13. West High 75; 28. Liberty High 32; 37. Clear Creek Amana 18; 38. City High 17

Individual results (area athletes)

Championship Matches

113 – Carew Christensen (Waukee Northwest) dec. Diego Robertty (West High) 10-9

Consolation Semifinal

113 – Alexander Pierce (West High) dec. Joey Cahill (Waukee Northwest) 4-1

175 – Landon Bell (Liberty High) medical forfeit Kepler Carmichael (North Scott)

285 – Henry Mohr (Waukee Northwest) dec. Kaden Stitt (West High) 4-3

Third Place Match

113 – Alexander Pierce (West High) dec. Cale Vandermark (Ankeny Centennial) 5-2

175 – Barrett Mieras (Linn-Mar) pinned Landon Bell (Liberty High) 5:01

Fifth Place Match

285 – Andrew Hine (Waukee) major dec. Kaden Stitt (West High) 17-5

Seventh Place Match

138– Ike Beirman (Johnston) dec. Zyaire Washpun (City High) 10-4

165 – Shannon Hughes (Bettendorf) pinned Campbell Janis (West High) 5:42

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating