Two Adel-DeSoto Minburn wrestlers will be on the mat for the state tournament after great performances on Saturday in Ballard, as 132 pound wrestler Aiden Flora was able to grab a first place finish, and Jake Alexander was able to qualify with a second place finish.

Flora was terrific in his two matches, as he was able to pull out a fall very quickly to win his first round, then in the championship was able to get a 9-1 decision in a clinical and efficient effort. Alexander was able to win 14-1 in the first round before losing in the championship match. He had to compete in a wrestle back but was able to grab the win to move to the state tournament. Flora ending the day 2-0 and Alexander 2-1. This is Flora’s first state tournament appearance and Alexander’s second.

At 145, Ben Smith dropped his first match but was able to win his second to force a wrestle back, but couldn’t come away with the victory to finish 3rd. At 195, Nathan Tapken finished 4th and at 152 Kadin O’Connor finished 4th, as both wrapped up good seasons for the Tigers.

Both wrestlers know their draws in the 2A state tournament, with Flora to take on Blake Engel of West Delaware, and Alexander to take on Carter Anderson of Albia. 2A first round action will be beginning at 9 am on Thursday morning from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Raccoon Valley Radio will have play by play coverage of all of the state high school wrestling tournament.