VAN HORNE — For Solon, Saturday’s district meet in Van Horne wasn’t about changing anything. It was about staying consistent. Instead of adding pressure, the Spartans leaned into consistency, and more importantly, into each other. The result? A runner-up team finish and seven state qualifiers at Benton Community High School.
Head coach Aaron Hadenfeldt made that message clear all week. He emphasized that this past week of practice was just about making sure the boys were ready to roll and keep things as normal as possible.
There was no reason to put any more emphasis on today when “In reality it’s win or go home.”
Built like a family
If there was one word that defined Solon’s performance, it was “family.” Hadenfeldt said that mindset has grown throughout the season and has become the backbone of the team’s success.
“They’ve gotten pretty dang close as a team,” he said. “Being there for each other, ups, downs, everywhere in between.”
That bond was present in every match. Especially in the moments that mattered most. For senior Jadyn Bevans, the support in the corner makes all the difference.
When he looks over and sees his teammates in the corner “it fuels the fire for use to wrestle better” he said.
The moments that mattered most in his high school career was watching his teammates, Jadyn said. “Especially the matches that they weren’t supposed to win.” “Family brings us all closer together,” he said. “Made us better wrestlers.”
Pushing through adversity
That mindset was tested just a week earlier. During regional duels, Jadyn was in control of his match before a sudden injury changed everything. He was winning the match but unexpectedly got crotch lifted and dislocated his elbow. Still, he took the mat this weekend at districts. Not fully healed but determined.
“It feels good today.” After the first period of his match he expressed he could feel the pain but once he gets in the zone, it goes away for the final two periods. Jadyn’s decision to push through the pain was just another example of the resilience that defined Solon’s outcome this weekend.
Seven tickets punched
Solon placed second as a team with 171 points, finishing behind Wilton, and qualified seven wrestlers for the Class 2A state tournament this week at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines (formerly Wells Fargo Arena). Leading the way were two district champions. Anderson Osgood took the 106 pound title with a pin in the second period against Dawson Kaska of Wilton. At the other end of the lineup, Lucas Feuerbach took just 12 seconds to win the 285 pound championship, pinning Regan Roberts of Knoxville.
Between the bookend victories, five more Spartans secured their spots at state with runner-up finishes. Evan Gleason battled back to take second at 113 pounds after pinning Jonathan Guthrie of Nevada in a wrestle back to punch his ticket. Jayden Steapp placed second at 126 pounds, falling to Mason Shirk of Wilton in the finals. Carson Kidwell earned runner-up honors at 157 pounds, dropping a 7-1 decision to Gavin Gerbracht of Dike-New Hartford. Teague Williams finished second at 165 pounds. Kyler Jensen also took a second place finish at 215 pounds after falling to Gatlin Rogers of Wilton.