Two different wrestling leagues. Two different wrestlers. Two different teams. Two different schools. Yet, one similar school.
    Claire Schumacher and Wyatt Hieber, both sophomores at MVAOCOU, spent the winter sports season wrestling, but not on the same team. Schumacher was a member of the Western Iowa Wolves Girls Wrestling Team while Hieber was a member of the MVAOCOU Rams Boys Wrestling Team. With so much alike and yet so much different, both earned trips to their respective state meets. here are their stories.

Schumacher Repeats Trip to State Wrestling     Claire Schumacher, wrestling with the Western Iowa Wolves out of West Monona High School in Onawa, had a goal to repeat a trip to state wrestling in her second year in the sport. That goal would require a little strategy. Throughout the season, the MVAOCOU sophomore wrestled in the 170 pound weight class. Her strategy would require wrestling with girls with quite a bit more weight on them than she had.     "Going into regionals this year, I was honestly quite nervous about being able to punch my ticket to State at my weight class of 170," Claire explained. "So, when talking to my coaches the day before regionals, we decided that if I wanted to punch my ticket to Coralville it would be best for me to wrestle up to 190, which for me is a 30 pound difference. With that weight difference, I tried to always stay on my feet when I would go into my matches."     Claire's trip to State began in the quarterfinals with an easy pin against Elyzah Olson from West Central Valley. The semifinals took a little longer, 51 seconds longer to pin Jaiden Olson from Clarinda. Claire was in the first place match with a repeat trip to State so close to a reality. Unfortunately, Megan Gerlock from SWAT put Claire to the mat, giving Gerlock the first place finish. Schumacher had to wrestle one more time to determine the second place winner. But wait. The other wrestler to lose just once was Olson who Claire had beaten in the semifinals. Well, the rule in this situation is that the wrestler who won the previous match automatically wins. Thus, Claire was awarded second place and a ticket to State.     "With making State last year, my freshman year, it helped me know to expect the harder competition and the different atmosphere that is at the State tournament," added Claire.     State wrestling was held February 5th and 6th in Coralville. Claire found herself facing Ava Trende from New Hamption/Turkey Valley, who would end the tournament in third place. Trende pinned Schumacher in 26 seconds, putting the Wolves wrestler into the consolation round. Unfortunately, Chloe Sexton from Highland Riverside also got the pin on Claire, ending her hope for the medal. She ended her season with a record of 34-16.     When asked her favorite part of wrestling, Claire chose the camaraderie with her team as her answer.     "My favorite part of wrestling is my team and my coaches," she said. "My team, The Western Iowa Wolves is a team where we are always supporting each other and always trying to make each other better to accomplish our goals."     Claire is the daughter of Amy and Nick Schumacher of Charter Oak.     Congratulations on your accomplishments this season, Claire!

Hieber Earns Trip to State Wrestling     Wyatt Hieber, wrestling with the MVAOCOU Rams, has been a grappler since he was much younger. As an elementary student, Hieber took to the mat through the youth program. As he grew older, he grew in the wrestling program, earning trips to the youth state wrestling tournament for three consecutive years. Now a sophomore, Wyatt will be again heading to state, this time as part of the high school program.     Wyatt and his teammates attended the Districts in Holstein this past weekend (results can be found in this week's Review). Hieber spent no time at all in the quarterfinals, pinning Nick Utley from St. Edmond in just 15 seconds. He had to wait nearly an hour and a half for the semifinals, but it was worth the wait. With the enthusiasm seen in the first round, Heiber faced Izaac Ricke from Lawton-Bronson, earning the fall in under two minutes. His final round, to take first and earn advancement to State, was a a nailbiter. Facing Jakob Lawson from Pocahontas Area, the two duked it out for the entire three rounds. Wyatt stayed a little tougher and got the win in an 11-10 decision.     "I knew it was going to be a tough match for the first place finish, so I knew I had to go out there and wrestle the best of my ability.," Hieber explained. "I came out at the beginning of the match with a takedown. From then on it was back and forth scoring but ultimately I pushed through and got the win! After the match was over I was a little hard on myself as I could have wrestled better, but I am super pumped to go to state!"     The state wrestling tournament begins this Wednesday. Wyatt's first round is at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. The second round will also be held in this time slot. Friday at 9:00 a.m. the quarterfinals and consolations will be held. The semifinals and consolations begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. the consolation semifinals and finals will be held. The finals along with awards and the grand march will begin at 5:15 p.m.     When asked his favorite part of of wrestling, Wyatt mentioned the ability to challenge yourself.     "My favorite part of wrestling is that it is a you sport," exclaimed. "You get to decide the outcome and how much you show up for yourself. It's not about relying on anyone else. It has taught me how to improve, grow as an athlete and push myself to be the best on and off the mat."     Wyatt is the son of Drew and Heather Hieber of Mapleton and Ashley and Brandon Pollema of Le Mars.     Good performance to you, Wyatt!

    JOHNSTON, IOWA – Share the love during the month of February and make a blood donation. Your gift gives others the chance to keep their heart beating strong.
    "During Heart Month, donating blood products like whole blood, platelets, and plasma is a powerful way to support cardiovascular health for both the donor and the community," said Dr. Alex Smith, LifeServe Blood Center Medical Director. "For recipients, a stable blood supply is a critical lifeline for complex cardiovascular procedures, such as heart transplants, bypass surgeries, and the treatment of infants born with heart defects, where blood loss or anemia can pose significant risks. For the donor, the process includes a ‘mini-physical' that tracks vital heart health indicators like pulse and blood pressure, providing a regular snapshot of your own wellness."
    The next blood drive in Danbury Danbury will be Wednesday, February 25th from 2:00 to 6:30 p.m. at 201 Main Street.
    Schedule your lifesaving appointment by visiting lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800.287.4903.
    LifeServe Blood Center is a non-profit, community-based blood center that has served the needs of local hospitals and patients in our regions since 1947. LifeServe provides blood products to more than 175 hospitals primarily in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Illinois. LifeServe is committed to saving lives by providing premier service to volunteer blood donors and access to a safe, quality blood supply for hospitals and patients. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 800.287.4903 or visit lifeservebloodcenter.org.

    The MVAO FFA will hold their annual brunch on Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Mapleton Community Center. The meal consisting of omelet, homemade rolls, toast, and drinks is available for a free will donation.
    Proceeds from this fundraiser help pay for FFA leadership conferences and other activities.

    The warmer weather and new renovations in the Danbury Rec Center has people itching to play ball. To help scratch that itch, the rec center board is pleased to announce that there is open gym at the Danbury Rec Center for all Danbury Little League players from 1:00 until 2:00 every Sunday. All Danbury Little League players are welcome to attend; you do not need to be a member to take advantage of this open gym. Please bring your gloves, bat, and helmet if you have these items.