Xander Bowers squares off against South Tama’s Rudy Papakee during the East Marshall/GMG’s double-dual meet at Benton Community on Jan. 6. Bowers took a 15-3 major decision loss to Papakee to start the night but battled for a 8-3 over Benton’s Troy Kupka in the team’s second dual of the evening. Bowers has been a utility player for the Mustangs this season, wrestling multiple matches at the 195, 220 and 285-pound classes for the varsity team. – Photo by Darvin Graham

The East Marshall/GMG wrestling team traveled to face Benton Community and South Tama in non-conference action on Jan. 6, falling to both the Bobcats and Trojans in dual action.

South Tama defeated East Marshall/GMG 45-21, while host Benton scored a 55-17 victory against the Mustangs.

EM/GMG had a pair of 2-0 performers, as second-ranked Dominik Ridout (138 pounds) and Garrett Kerber (160) both picked up a pair of wins. Ridout scored a 5-2 decision over third-ranked Logan Arp of South Tama in the marquee match of the meet, and he followed it up with a 20-5 technical fall over Dawson Franck of Benton.

Kerber collected a pair of decisions — 10-3 over Andres Lugo and 8-2 against Mason Dellamuth.

East Marshall/GMG (6-11) forfeited at four weights on the night. Tim Benson (152), Drew Wheater (182), Wyatt Benson (113) and Kordell Negrete (145) each earned a win against South Tama, while Xander Bowers (195) earned an 8-3 decision over Benton’s Troy Kupka for the only other match win for the Mustangs.