Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Before West High freshman Diego Robertty can end a practice he has to get one more takedown.

After a full practice. After drilling with teammates. After working for hours.

One more takedown.

In Friday night’s state semifinal Robertty went back to that drill.

Robertty scored the go-ahead takedown with 37 seconds remaining to earn an 11-9 win over third-ranked Jack Wallukait of West Des Moines Dowling in a Class 3A, 113-pound semifinal at Casey’s Center in Des Moines.

“The coaches in the wrestling room always push me to my limits and then, after that, I have to get that one last takedown to end the practice,” Robertty said. “I definitely went back to that and I grabbed that moment.”

The win avenged a 9-6 loss to Wallukait (35-4) back on December 13 and sends Robertty into the 3A state title match that will be part of a session that begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Top-ranked Diego Robertty (38-1) will face second-ranked Waukee Northwest junior Carew Christensen in the 113-pound title match.

Christiansen won a 4-0 decision over fifth-ranked Drake Pelton of Waukee in the semfiinals.

“This match was very important because that helps raise my confidence for that last match when I am in big stage on Saturday night,” Robertty said.

Robertty scored the first two takedowns and led 6-2 late in the opening period before Wallukait closed the period with a takedown.

It was 8-8 after two periods and Robertty trailed 9-8 to start the third after electing to give up an escape point and start neutral.

It took a little less than 90 seconds for Robertty to secure the winning takedown.

“It was very important (to start strong),” Robertty said. “My coaches always tell me the best thing you can do is widen the gap because that gives them less and less hope to keep wrestling but he is a tough opponent and I had to keep going.”

Robertty is a win away from becoming the fifth freshman state champion in West High history.

Robertty will try to add a third consecutive win over a top-four ranked opponent after downing fourth-ranked Cain Crosson of Indianola in the quarterfinals.

Robertty pinned Christiansen in 44 seconds in the only meeting between the two this season at the state dual meet earlier this month.

“This is a new feeling,” Robertty said. “You see the fans, you see the atmosphere, you see the noise and this is just a different atmosphere. It definitely gives way more relevance to this event.”

West High 126-pound senior Alexander Pierce (47-1) had his quest for a fourth consecutive state title appearance end with a 4-1 loss to third-ranked Weston Porter (37-2) of Council Bluffs Lewis Central in sudden victory.

Fourth-ranked Kaden Stitt advanced to the consolation semifinals at 285 pounds with a 4-2 win over eighth-ranked Cael Roberts of Southeast Polk.

Liberty High senior Landon Bell (10-1) fell to second-ranked Maximus Dhabolt 19-4 in a 175-pound semifinal.

Class 3A State Tournament

At Casey’s Center in Des Moines

Team scores (Top 10; area teams) – 1. Southeast Polk 184; 2. Bettendorf 125.5; 3. Indianola 120; 4. West Des Moines Dowling 113.5; 5. Waukee Northwest 89.5; 6. Linn-Mar 81; 7. Council Bluffs Lewis Central 79.5; 8. North Scott 79; 9. Urbandale 71; 10. West High 68; 31. Liberty High 25; 35. Clear Creek Amana 18; 36. City High 17

Individual results (area athletes)

Semifinals

113 – Diego Robertty (West High) dec. Jack Wallukait (West Des Moines Dowling) 11-9

126 – Weston Porter (Council Bluffs Lewis Central) dec. Alexander Pierce (West High) 4-1 SV-1

175 – Maximus Dhabolt (Ankeny Centennial) tech. fall Landon Bell (Liberty High) 19-4

Fifth Round Consolation

132 – Elijah Hyet (Dubuque Hempstead) dec. Zyaire Washpun (City High) 8-3

165 – Dokken Biladeau (Southeast Polk) tech. fall Campbell Janis (West High) 20-4

285 – Kaden Stitt (West High) dec. Cael Roberts (Southeast Polk) 4-2

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