The Spartan wrestlers notched a WaMaC conference dual meet sweep Thursday, Jan. 15 as they knocked off Benton Community and Marion at home.

Jayden Steapp hit a career milestone with his 100th win as he took a 9-8 decision from Benton Community’s Jason Eastman. Steapp then went on to pin Marion’s Bruce Willis in 35 seconds. A senior, Steapp joins Carson Kidwell and Lucas Feuerbach in the 100-wins club. Coach Aaron Hadenfeldt noted Kyler Jensen and Teague Williams were closing in on the accomplishment as well and added, “That’s a testament to the time they’ve put into this sport.”

Hadenfeldt said the Spartans’ performance in the dual meet was the culmination of hard work and a drive to keep improving in this final month of the regular season.

“I think the thing that stands out to me is that the boys are seeing the hard work they put into the wrestling room pay off during our competitions,” Hadenfeldt said. “They work hard and they listen and it shows when we go out and wrestle the way we have been lately. We need to continue improving in the room and the wins and losses will take care of themselves. We’ve got a good group that I think will keep working to get better.”

In addition to recognizing Solon’s youth wrestling program, the varsity wrestlers took to the mats in pink singlets for breast cancer awareness.

Coach Hadenfeldt explained, “(Girls) Coach (JJ) Cooper’s wife was actually diagnosed with breast cancer last year and a few parents had this idea over the summer and there really wasn’t a hesitation as to us doing it. Raising any awareness for something like this is bigger than wrestling and that was our message to the boys last night.”