Fisher earns silver for Jaguars
DES MOINES — Southeast Valley sophomore Kyler Fisher came up just short in his quest to secure a state title here Saturday night, falling to Osage’s Brock Jennings in the Class 1A 170-pound finals.
Fisher (48-4) had picked up three wins over ranked seniors heading into the bout, but Jennings went up 4-1 before earning the fall in 1:43.
Jennings, a four-time placewinner who was fourth a year ago, has won over 150 matches for the Green Devils, who have 54 individual state champions as a program. He finished the season with a record of 56-2.
“Kyler felt good going in,” SEV head coach Jeff Miller said. “(Jennings) did a good job of being physical and took Kyler out of his game.
“He learned what it takes to be a state champion from Jennings; you have to come out and be physical and aggressive.”
Fisher, who qualified for state last year as a freshman, almost scored a takedown on the edge before Jennings was able to force a neutral call.
The road to the state finals was a tough one for the Jaguar, as he defeated the third, fifth and sixth-ranked wrestlers in his weight class. All three were seniors.
Fisher was the fourth finalist for Miller and was attempting to become the second champion. Before Southeast Webster-Grand and Prairie Valley combined, Miller coached Travis Taylor to a pair of state final appearances and Brayton Taylor to another.
Travis Taylor won it all in 2007 and made it back to the finals the next year, while Brayton Taylor lost in 2010.
“Hopefully this was a good lesson for (Fisher) and propels him to a state championship (next season),” Miller said.