Pocahontas Area............30

from Winter Sports 2022

Algona

POCAHONTAS AREA

INDIANS, Continued from Page 30

INDIAN WRESTLING

Returning state qualifier Deontez Williams, district qualifier Ryan Sommerlot and a host of letterwinners are all back for Pocahontas Area on the mats, as the Indians look to build off a 15-5 dual season.

Williams, a senior, went 37-14 and advanced to the state meet last year, while Sommerlot won 31 matches.

Kaitlynn Schuler, Dominic Aljets and Ryan Panbecker each won over 20 matches, while John Ackerman, Will Burke, Joel Carranza, Cody Nichols, Verde Klocke, Alex Welander and Joseph Sanders also return for the Indians.

“We are looking forward to another great season,” PAC head coach Tony Johnson said. “We return most of our lineup from last year.”

Panbecker won 27 matches, Schuler 25, Aljets 22 and Panbecker 27, with Carranza adding 17 wins, Nichols 13 and Sanders 12. —By Dana Becker

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla

POCAHONTAS AREA BOYS BASKETBALL

returning letterwinners are (left to right): Lucas Kopriva and Cael Samuelson. INDIANS AT A GLANCE

POCAHONTAS AREA BOYS

Returning letterwinners (3): Jacob Gerdes, 5-11, sr., G; Cael Samuelson, 6-3, jr., P; Lucas Kopriva, 6-1, jr., G.

Top prospects: Ethan Behrens, 6-0, jr., G/F; Blake Roberts, 6-1, jr., G; Cael Hull, 6-7, jr., F; Nick Erickson, 6-1, jr., F; Gabe Ehn, 6-1, soph., F.

Last season: 8-14 overall, 6-5 in Twin Lakes Conference (fifth).

Coach: Brian Friesner has put together a 73-59 record with the Indians as he begins his seventh season.

POCAHONTAS AREA GIRLS

Returning letterwinners (8): Akaysa Duitscher, 5-8, sr., G; Carly Janssen, 5-5, sr., G; Abby Oberhelman, 5-9, sr., F; Paige Melohn, 5-10, sr., F; Meg Sump, 6-1, sr., C; Jenna Vonnahme, 5-11, jr., C; Madison Vial, 5-5, soph., G; Natalie Point, 5-7, soph., G.

Top prospects: Alayna Kakacek, 5-7, fr., G; Delaney Janssen, 5-5, fr., G.

Last season: 16-6 overall, fourth in Twin Lakes Conference.

Coach: Robert Maske, a Buena Vista University grad, owns a career record of 176-122.

POCAHONTAS AREA WRESTLING

Returning letterwinners (12): Kaitlynn Schuler, 106, sr.; John Ackerman, soph.; Will Burke, soph.; Dominic Aljets, 126, jr.; Joel Carranza, 152, sr.; Cody Nichols, 152, sr.; Verde Klocke, 138, jr.; Ryan Sommerlot, 145, jr.; Ryan Panbecker, 160, jr.; Deontez Williams, 182, sr.; Alex Welander, 195, sr.; Joseph Sanders, 285, sr.

Last season: 15-5 in duals.

Coach: Tony Johnson returns for another season leading the Indians, with Gavin Hjerlied serving as his assistant.