Indianola’s Mac Crosson won his second straight title at the Iowa High School Boys State Wrestling Tournament in Des Moines Saturday.

Crosson took on Calvin Rathjen of Ankeny in the Class 3A 165 pound bracket in his championship match. The score would be knotted 0-0 at the end of the first period and then Rathjen would get an escape in the second as Crosson trailed 1-0 at the end of the period. In the third period, Crosson got an escape to even the score at 1-1 and then got a takedown to go up 4-1 in the period. Rathjen would get a late escape but Crosson would ultimately prevail for the 4-2 win. Crosson says when he found an opportunity for his takedown he knew he needed to take it.

“I was hoping I would score more in the first and second period but I didn’t see many shots so I have to do better with that but I had to stay really patient and selective but when I found that opening I knew I needed to take it.”

Crosson’s brother Cain took third place in the 113 pound bracket. Indianola’s Elijiah Blewitt also competed Saturday night in a championship match where he fell by a 4-2 decision to Justis Jesuroga of Southeast Polk. Four other Indians had podium finishes at the tournament including Stoney Wood at 144 pounds, Rylan Hilton at 157, Eli Cox at 175, and Aiden Curtis at 285. Indianola Head Coach Clint Manny says the tournament fuels the fire for what his team is going to do in the future.

“I’m just so grateful that our kids get the opportunity to experience this. Obviously you want to be two for two on a night like this so it’s great to have a champ but knowing one guy is hurting tonight just fuels the fire for what we want to do in the future.”

Indianola had 13 total wrestlers at the state tournament and finished third as a team. Hear from Crosson and Manny on Monday’s Lely Radio Sports Page. Complete Saturday state wrestling results can be found here.