Pfantz, the No. 6 wrestler in Class 2A at 126 pounds, entered the day after a good showing in the first consolation match on Thursday following an opening-round loss to No. 1 Eric Faught, who is wrestling for a state title this evening.

Things started alright for Pfantz in the second round of the consolation against Kole Hansen from Atlantic-CAM, but in the final period Hansen earned seven points to run out to the 13-1 major decision.

Pfantz, who was understandably heartbroken after finishing his career for West Marshall, said he didn’t plan to go out that way, but he still has a lot to look forward when wrestling for Southwest Minnesota State University next year.

“I definitely didn’t think this was the way my career was going to end, but it is what it is,” Pfantz said. “I have bigger things to look forward to, I have college wrestling here coming up next yea, I am excited for that and excited to see what the future has.”

T-R PHOTO BY THORN COMPTON

Looking back on his career, Pfantz said he is proud of what he’s accomplished as a four-time state qualifier, and he never thought that was something he would achieve.

“What I’ve accomplished in my career is definitely more than I thought,” he said. “Just walking into practice my freshman year, I definitely didn’t think this is where I was going to be.”

Kolthoff moves on

South Hardin-BCLUW sophomore Taylor Kolthoff had more luck in his first match of the day in the second round of consolations at 113, as he defeated Nate Curry from Sergeant Bluff-Luton by an 8-6 decision that saw four reversals in the final minute. After hanging on for that victory, Kolthoff narrowly missed making it to the consolation semifinals with a loss in the quarters to Brock Beck from Grinnell by a 6-4 decision.

Storm wrestling co-head coach Stacy Simpson said Kolthoff has come a long way since the beginning of the season and he is looking strong heading into the seventh-place match today.

T-R PHOTO BY THORN COMPTON

“Taylor has wrestled very hard this year and he has improved a lot here at the end,” Simpson said. “He has gotten a lot more mentally focused and he’s been able to stay with what he needs to do. He’s changed up his attack a little bit, he’s more aggressive on his feet, he’s getting the angles better, and here at the very end in the last couple of seconds he wasn’t able to finish it off but we still have tomorrow morning to still go into it.”

Ryne Fuller started the day in the quarterfinals at heavyweight for SH-BCLUW, but the senior couldn’t quite get his feet under him, falling to Blake Bradley from Dubuque Wahlert by an 8-3 decision in the quarters then dropping his consolation match to Brendon Lunsford by a second-period pin.

Simpson said, despite the losses on Friday, no one can take away what Fuller has accomplished this season or what he has meant to the Storm.

“Ryne has had an unbelievable improvement from where he was before, he’s one of those quiet leaders in the room and it’s such a great thing for him to have him be able to reach his goals at sectionals and districts and go above and beyond with state, he’s done a great job,” Simpson said. “Just going out to win the first one to begin with is a wonderful thing.”

Lashbrook still going

AGWSR freshman Trey Lashbrook has been the only banner carrier for the Cougars at state all week, and he will carry that banner into the final day after winning his second-round consolation match against Wil Martin from Moravia.

Lashbrook took the match by an 8-5 decision, securing at least a spot on the podium, but he did eventually lose to Cole Cassady from Martensdale-St. Mary’s in the consolation quarterfinals.

Day three of action at Wells Fargo Arena will kick off at 10 a.m., starting with the consolation semifinals.