Perry senior Jackson Van Kirk made his final match at the Perry gym a memorable one as the senior pinned Ballard’s Will May at the 3:38 mark. With the win, Van Kirk improves to 34-5 on the season and is now over 110 wins in his career. Van Kirk’s heroics however would not be enough as Ballard won 11 of 14 matches in defeating Perry 60-16. The Bluejays picked up victories from freshman Kade Van Kirk at 106 (fall) and Skyler Knoll at 170 (major decision). The most anticipated match of the night occured at 138 where Ballard’s 6th ranked Dillon Hansen defeated Perry’s 8th ranked Seth Stetzel 4-2. Hansen led 2-1 with 5 seconds to go in the match when Stetzel was awarded a stalling point tying it at 2. However, Hansen quickly did a pass by and secured a take down in the final second of the match to defeat Stetzel.
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“It was a tight match. Everything happend so quick in the final 10 seconds. Seth improved a lot from the first time the two kids met when Dillon beat him 6-2. We’ll learn and move on and get ready to face him at least 3 more times this year. Seth will be ready.”
That’s Perry Head Coach Trevor Kettleson. The second year coach had high praise for the senior Van Kirk.
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“Jackson is one of those guys who simply listens and does what he is told. He works hard each and every day and has really improved on finishing shots and securing points. He is determined to get to Wells Fargo Arena this year.”
Van Kirk told KDLS it was a great moment to win his final match in front of the home crowd.
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“It was great to win tonight in front of the large crowd. I appreciate everyone’s support over the years. I love wrestling for Trevor and the energy that he brings each and every day. I have learned so much from both him and Coach Hamilton. I can’t wait to keep it rolling at Wells Fargo Arena.”
Van Kirk and Alan Aguliar were the only seniors on this year’s roster. With the loss, Perry falls to 4-16 in duals and finish 1-7 in the RRC. Ballard improves to 6-2 in RRC. Perry’s next action will be this Saturday and the RRC Tournament at Dallas Center Grimes.