VAN HORNE – The STC boys wrestling team placed eighth out of twelve teams at the annual WAMAC conference meet on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Benton High School.

Leading the way for the Trojans was senior Ramiro Saquic Xirum (35-9), who finished in second place in the 113-pound weight class. Xirum won his first three matches on the day, including a major decision win over Benjamin Anderson of Independence in the semifinal round. Xirum fell on decision to Benton’s Jaxson Mehlert in the championship match but walked away with an impressive runner-up finish.

STC also gained a third place finish from junior Marcus Bear (37-8; 175 lbs.). Bear won his first two matches of the day before falling in the semifinal round to West Delaware’s Blake Mather. But Bear won his next match in the consolation bracket and followed that up with a victory over Grinnell’s Josh Ringler to take third place.

The Trojans also had a quartet of wrestlers who scored points for the team during the tournament. Sophomore Manny Cervantes placed sixth in the 215-pound weight class, while senior Clayton Babinat (144 lbs.), senior Kinzer Jaennette (165 lbs.), and freshman Lakyr Peska (285 lbs.) all finished in seventh in their weight class.

Also competing at the meet for the Trojans was: freshman Izak Schroeder (126 lbs.), sophomore Eli Cruikshank (132 lbs.), junior Garrett Surman (150 lbs.), senior Wyatt Silhanek (157 lbs.), and sophomore Kyle Youngbear (190).

The Trojans ended up tied for eighth place with 66.5 points with Grinnell. STC had beaten Grinnell in a dual meet eight days earlier. Williamsburg took the conference title with 225.5 points, followed by Independence and West Delaware tying for second place with 195.5 points. STC head coach Nate Van Dyke noted afterward that all seven teams that finished ahead of the Trojans were ranked teams.

Next up for the STC boys wrestlers is a return trip to Benton High School for their District State-Qualifying meet on Saturday, Feb. 15. Following that, the 2025 State Wrestling Meet will then be held on Feb. 19-22 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.