Denver Cyclone Wrestling

Derrick Mehmen Places Fourth at State! Denver 189 pound wrestler Derrick Mehmen capped off an improbable run to the State wrestling tournament by capturing fourth place honors in Des Moines last week. With a record barely over .500 in late January, Derrick put together a fifteen match winning streak to propel him to the Big Show with 27 wins against 11 losses. This included championships in the Sectional (in which Derrick was a third seed) and District tournaments. Derrick's first round match came on Thursday morning against Mike Silvers of Pekin who was sporting a 27-7 record. With a bevy of Denver supporters, Mehmen made it eight losses for Silvers, winning in typical Mehmen fashion 6-5. As if the first round wasn't close enough, the quarterfinals on Friday morning would prove to be much more challenging. Returning State qualifier Pat McDermott of Panora was looking for his 38th victory of the season, and it seemed as though that would become a reality heading in to the final period. McDermott, who had beaten this year's eventual State champ from Anita three times this year, held a comfortable 5-1 lead with a minute and a half to go. Mehmen stormed back to tie the match 5-5 with seconds left. Then, with seven ticks on the clock, Derrick scored a takedown for an exciting 7-5 win. This win also secured Derrick a top six finish. With Vets Auditorium filled to capacity, many wondered if the magic would continue in the semifinals on Friday night. Derrick was about to face another returning qualifier in senior Wade Hammen of Rockwell City. Hammen was in search of his 40th win of the year against only three losses. Again, Derrick fell behind early 2-0 but kept Hammen from scoring any more, coming back to tie the score late in the match 2-2. Going for some last second heroics, Derrick shot in for a double leg with six seconds left, only to have Hammen spin around behind for a 4-2 victory. The semifinal loss wasn't the end for Derrick, as he had to come back an hour later to face off with 32 match winner Brian Stueve of Martensdale. Stueve had pulled off one of the tournaments biggest first round upsets when he hung on for a 9-8 win over last year's State runner-up Jordan McLaughlin of Belmond. Stueve proved it wasn't a fluke as he gave it his all before Mehmen won a close 3-2 decision. This win put Derrick into the consolation finals for a chance at a third place finish. In the consolation finals, Derrick met McLaughlin, the wrestler from Belmond whom Stueve had upset earlier in the tournament. McLaughlin was the #2 ranked wrestler in the state and had place second in Class 2A last season. Down by four in the second period, Mehmen reversed McLaughlin to his back to knot the score at four. Derrick trailed 8-4 with 30 seconds left and had to score big in a hurry. Going for broke, Mehmen attempted a lateral drop but was caught and pinned. The Denver junior finished up with 30 wins on the year and a fourth place finish at the State tournament. Mehmen scored 12 points at State, good enough to be in the top half of Class1A teams. Derrick represented the Denver school and the community with class, giving it his all. He was humble in victory and gracious in defeat, something we all should be proud of. A job well done, Derrick! A complete season summary will be printed following the end-of-the-year wrestling banquet.

Olson, Mehmen, McAvoy Named to NICL All-Conference Team!

Olson Sets School Records for 3 Pt. NF in a Season and Career!