Hemann heads to third straight state semi
By Kristi Nixon
CORALVILLE — Another year, another state semifinal for Osage’s Gable Hemann.
The junior 110-pounder for the Green Devils earned her third first-period fall of the tournament to advance to the 2024 state semifinal, albeit at a new weight class for coach Nick Hemann’s standout wrestler.
The feeling is still the same for her, she says.
“It’s just in the feels, you know?” she said. “It hits home. Third year back to the semis. Semis is usually one of my favorite matches. It just moves you to the next level and just so many people are happy for you, and it means a lot.
“This year, especially, because the sport is getting harder as a whole. There is more people who care about it.”
Her coach and father, Nick Hemann, said he was proud of Gable.
“She deserves it,” he said. “There has been a little bit of sickness here, so we’re trying to get over that. She’s battled well and that’s all we can really ask. We just saw two state champions go down. Anything can happen, This tournament is really impressive the way it has developed and evolved. The competition has gotten better. I’m proud of Gable.”
G. Hemann will face Mount Vernon’s Kiersten Swart, who won 4-0 over St. Ansgar’s Mariah Michels. She gained a last-second reversal in the second period and then added a late takedown in the third to deny Michels the semis.
“I’ve never wrestled her before and she kind of came out of nowhere, honestly,” she said. “I’m real excited to see her. I hope it’s a different match from what I’ve had this year. Even here at state, I’ve had some new matches, new positions, new looks and I hope that is what this girl can give me and I’m ready to give it my all.”
Hemann and Maddie Swenson are the only two Green Devils left standing in this year’s tournament. Swenson won twice on Thursday to reach the fourth round of consolation at 120 pounds.
“I’m proud of all of our girls,” coach Hemann said. “Annaliese (Arciniega) and Aubrey (Chapman) last round and Alexis (Kolbet) this round. It’s tough. We know they will all be back. We just need to put a little more time in the weight room and on the mat and be a little bit more motivated by that. We had a good experience, hopefully, it will be more than that where we can drive them to the next level and get on the stand next year.”
Gable added, “I’m so proud of my team. I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else. They are the most hard-working people I know and that’s all you’ve got to give to the sport. I think going into tomorrow, my teammates who are out of the tournament are going to support me and Maddie, help us do the best we can along the way.”
Besides Michels for the Saints, Lakin Evans came back again from an early deficit in the second-round wrestleback to pin Clinton’s Akeman McClendon on a roll through for a reversal and the fall in 1 minute, 45 seconds. She was her most aggressive of the tournament in the third-round wrestleback, taking down Sioux City North’s Khloe Eliesa for a five-point move before completing the pin in 1:21. Emma Hall ended her tournament in the third-round wrestleback after winning the second round with a quick fall.
Osage is tied with Algona for 16th in team scoring after Thursday with 32 points. The Saints are tied with Davenport at 30th with 23 points among 141 teams that have scored and numerous others represented at this year’s meet.
“We have a good team coming next year,” coach Hemann said. “We’re excited about Gable being in the semis again. Maddie got a pin there, so she will move on to tomorrow. Maddie is dangerous. She can go with anybody. We’re looking forward to tomorrow with those two girls, but proud of the other four who stepped the line and put it all out for us.”
