(Photo – CGD Activities Facebook)
INDEPENDENCE, Ia. — The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys wrestling team opened their 2025-26 season on Friday, as they made the trip to Eastern Iowa to compete in the annual Cliff Keen Invitational at Independence High School in Independence. The Cowboys were joined by the host Mustangs, as well as Alburnett, Algona, Atlantic, Burlington Notre Dame, Carlisle, Clear Creek-Amana, Crestwood, Denver, Dubuque Senior, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Greene County, Harrisburg (SD), Hinton, Interstate 35, Lisbon, Maquoketa, New Hampton/Turkey Valley, North Polk, Osage, PCM, Perry, Pleasant Valley, Roland-Story, Solon, South Tama County, Tinley Park (IL), Union Community, Waterloo East, West Liberty and Cedar Rapids Xavier.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows would win the tournament for the first time in program history, finishing with 329.5 points, 20 points more than 2nd place Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. Dawson Beyer was the lone champion for the Cowboys, winning at 157 pounds by winning a 9-5 decision over Pleasant Valley’s Greyson Willett in the final. Linden Phetxoumphone would place 2nd at 132 pounds, falling in the 2nd place match to EBF’s Gage Spurgeon in a 4-0 decision,
The Cowboys would have 11 total wrestlers finish in the top 10, including Beyer and Phetxoumphone. Cole Wibholm placed 7th at 106, Paxton Redenius was 5th at 113, Adrian Phetxoumphone was 5th at 138, Reed Campbell was 8th at 144, Colin Sesker was 3rd at 165, Ryland Morgan was 7th at 175, Easton Beyer was 3rd at 190, JT Kelso was 4th at 285, while Joel Meier was 9th at 285.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows wrestling returns to action on Thursday, when they compete in an NCC tri-dual with Webster City and Hampton-Dumont-CAL at Webster City High School, beginning at 6 PM.