Kennedy Boys Wrestling sent two wrestlers to state on Feb. 19, sophomore Kylan Walsh and junior Max Panosh. The competition lasted through the Feb. 22 and was held at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines 

On the first day, Walsh was the first to compete in the 3A 106-lbs class. He lost his first match to Xavier’s Taitumn Deppe 7-3 by decision, meaning that Deppe outscored Walsh 7-1. 

“I felt I wrestled my best and up to my personal performance that I was physically able to wrestle at,” Walsh said.

Panosh, in the 3A 120-lbs class, lost his first match to Liberty’s Benjamin Rosen by tech fall, which is when the opponent is outscored by 15 points anytime during the match. 

“[I’ll improve] by working in the off-season at my clubs and working to improve and perfect my technique and excel in the sport,” Walsh said.

Both athletes then competed in the consolation bracket on the Feb. 20. Walsh and Panosh lost in the second round of the consolation bracket, Walsh by fall and Panosh by a tech fall, putting an end to the pair’s tournament. 

“That being said, qualifying to the State tournament itself is a success in its own right and I am sure proud of them for that,” Coach Nicholas LeClere said. “The good news is, both wrestlers are back next season and will be great leaders for our team.”