After never having a returning State wrestling champion as an underclassman, the Greene County Rams now have two in the room. McKinley Robbins and Kale Petersen both are elite wrestlers at the Sebolt Academy in Jefferson, but they met as elementary students when TJ Sebolt rented a facility in Mason City. For years they worked out together and last season both won State titles, Petersen in Class 1A at 106 lbs. for West Fork (Sheffield) and Robbins for Greene County in 2A at 120 lbs. Two seasons ago they were both at 106, albeit in different classes when Robbins placed second in 2A and Petersen was sixth in 1A.

Petersen transferred to Greene County High at the start of this school year, and we’re told he’ll be eligible to wrestle for the Rams sometime in January. In the meantime, he’s keeping his skills sharp both in the Ram wrestling room and at with SWA. Just last weekend, Petersen was third and Robbins second in the Kickoff Classic in Tulsa, OK, a national tournament in which both wrestlers were close to winning it all. Both are high school juniors with aspirations for more State titles as well as making names for themselves on the national level.