Howes and Thompson cap off strong wrestling seasons at state
MFL MarMac sophomore Tacoma “Taco” Thompson, wrestling at 126 pounds, picked up his first state victory last week: a third period pin against Emmetsburg’s CJ Rodriguez after trailing 18-6. (Photo by Jarod Bormann)
Taco Thompson battled through multiple injuries this season, en route to the state tournament. Coach Travis Johnson commended his resilience. (Photo by Jarod Bormann)
In his second state appearance, MFL MarMac senior Will Howes placed seventh at heavyweight in Class 1A. (Photo by Jarod Bormann)
Will Howes said his success was a reflection of his long-time dedication to the sport. “It’s been a lot of years, a lot of practices, a lot of work. It’s nice to see it all come out to something,” he shared. (Photo by Jarod Bormann)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
MFL MarMac wrestlers Will Howes and Tacoma “Taco” Thompson capped off their seasons at the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championship in Des Moines last week.
Howes, a senior wrestling for the second time at state, placed seventh at heavyweight in Class 1A, while 126-pound sophomore Thompson picked up his first win in his second state appearance.
“It was quite the tournament,” said MFL MarMac Head Coach Travis Johnson at a welcome back event at the school on Feb. 22.
Thompson, the 15 seed, lost by technical fall to 18 seed Cason Fitch from Colfax-Mingo in the opening round. But he stayed alive on the backside of the bracket, pinning Emmetsburg’s CJ Rodriguez late in the third period after trailing 18-6.
“The second match was a little too close for comfort,” Johnson said. “But you get three periods and you wrestle all three periods. If you’re down, come back.”
Thompson’s tournament run concluded in consolation round three, when he lost by major decision to ninth-seeded Kingston Carrigan of Riverside, Oakland.
Johnson commended Thompson’s first state win, as well as a strong season in which he battled through multiple injuries.
“Taco’s had to battle through a lot. We’re proud of your resilience,” Johnson shared. “Coming in and working hard and being consistent, that’s a huge building block for having success.”
Howes came into the tournament seeded eighth at heavyweight and received a first round bye. After picking up some wins a year ago, he hoped to finish on the podium this time around.
The bye set him up well, noted Johnson.
“Any win on the front side, or a bye on the front side, that’s worth two backside matches. That’s a big deal,” the coach said.
Howes advanced to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over ninth-seeded Cozyn Rozeboom from Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley in the second round. Although not a dominant score, Johnson said Howes was firmly in control throughout the match.
“That kid was not going to escape from Will. You’ve been honing your riding craft for 2.5 years now, just getting good, really heavy on top,” and that showed, Johnson said.
Howes met top-seeded Ashton Hannold from Nodaway Valley in the quarterfinals. He was pinned in the first period by the eventual state champion—a three-time state champion—who was also the Class 1A wrestler of the year.
“Dropped that match, but came back hard on the backside,” Johnson said.
Howes pinned Roman Scheffler from AHSTW in consolation round four, before losing by major decision to Sigourney-Keota’s Owen Menke, the fifth-place finisher.
In the battle for seventh place, Howes scored a first period fall over Jace Pedersen from South Central Calhoun, earning him a spot on the state podium for the first time.
Howes’s dad, Josh, was able to coach him in the corner—what Johnson called “a cool moment. Not very many dads get to be in the corner for their sons at the state tournament.”
Howes said his success was a reflection of his long-time dedication to the sport.
“It’s been a lot of years, a lot of practices, a lot of work. It’s nice to see it all come out to something,” he shared.
