Washington Wrestling

Solid effort sends Prairie to district title

It wasn't spectacular, but it was solid.

Prairie crowned seven champions and qualified nine wrestlers for next week's state wrestling meet during Saturday's Class 3A district meet at Kennedy.

Prairie won the district meet with 277 points. Western Dubuque was second with 220, Kennedy (140) third, Jefferson (125.5) fifth, and Washington (118) sixth.

Prairie will wrestle in the dual meet state tournament on Wednesday. The traditional meet starts Thursday and runs through Sunday. Both meets are at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Prairie 152 pound wrestler senior Zach Witte was the most dominant Hawk and likely the most dominant wrestler at the meet.

“It felt like a solid day,” Witte said. “I can’t complain.”

Witte made quick work of his three opponents with fast pins to capture first place and a state berth at 152 pounds after winning the state championship last year at 145 pounds.

“I added some weight. I wrestled at 145 for two years so I needed to go up,” Witte said on the jump to 152. “I feel good at 152.”

Witte hopes to repeat but said he feels feels no pressure.

“My one and only goal is to do what I did last year," he said. "I don’t feel any pressure though. It’s a new year and a new weight.”

Prairie’s other champions were Josh Wenger (113), Chris Walters (120), Trey Blaha (126), Peyton Wagner (145), Cameron Rathje (170) and Austin Gould (182). Casey Becker (160) and Andrew Netolicky (220) also qualified with second-place finishes.

Prairie Coach Blake Williams was satisfied with the day but would have liked to have qualified a few more wrestlers.

“It was a good day but you’re never satisfied at districts," he said. "We would have liked to get one or two more in.”

Prairie finished tied for 12th at last year's state meet, but has hopes for higher finish this time around.

“Our number one goal is to place everyone then see how high they can get,” Williams said. “We want to score as many points as possible down there.”

Prairie's Becker spoiled the day of Kennedy senior Shane Williams, ranked sixth at 160, when he pinned him in the semis.  Williams, with more than 100 career victories, finished third but missed the cut for the state meet.

“It proves that on any given day anyone can be beat,” Williams said of his loss to Becker. “He can be very dangerous when he hits his moves. I am happy for him.”

Despite the disappointment at 160, the Cougars crowned two champs: Luke Kremer at 132 and Ryan Rodriguez at 138.

“For the most part I thought we wrestled hard. There are two or three matches throughout the day we would like to have back,” Kennedy Coach Brent Paulsen said. “Williams' semi would be one. It was nothing he did, it just didn’t work out the way we wanted.”

Kremer had to go two overtimes to beat Western Dubuque's Nick Steger. Kremer qualified for his fourth state meet and will be out to improve on his third place finish from a year ago.

“Hopefully I can win it. I want to be in the finals,” Kremer said of his goal at state.

Kremer rode Steger to start the second overtime, denying him a point, and then got a reversal for the win.

“I was confident on the bottom, but a little worried about being able to ride him,” Kremer said. “It was an intense and tiring match.”

Rodriguez got revenge on Prairie's Skyler St. John to take first at 138 and head back to state.

“He beat me twice this year,” Rodriguez said of St. John. “The first two early takedowns got my confidence up.”

Kennedy had a chance to send another pair to state in wrestlebacks, but Ben Feuerhelm got beat at 145 and Sean Knox had to drop out at 152 due to injury.

“He just came back about a week ago,” Paulsen said. “It was the right thing to do. He is only a freshman we didn’t want to risk his future.”

Washington's Tyler Burrell won the 285 pound title and the Warriors also qualified Jordin Eicher (126) and Kaisar Herz (152).

Burrell is ranked first in 3A and finished sixth at state last year.

“My expectation has always been to win the championship, even last year,” Burrell said.

Washington Coach Matt Hatcher thought his team performed at the level they expected and was proud of all his guys.

“It was about what we expected," Hatcher said. "I am proud of everyone and happy for the guys that made it.”

Jefferson had high expectations, but qualified only one wrestler for state.

“It is the biggest train wreck I have been on,” Jefferson Coach Dick Briggs said. “It is very disappointing. I knew we were on the bubble but thought we could have done better.”

PJ Rashed took second at 113 to advance to state, but that was about the only bright spot for the J-Hawks.

“It is exciting but I wish I had company,” Rashed said. “I thought I deserved it. I worked really hard to get here and felt like I needed to go.”

“I’m proud of him. He worked really hard last summer,” Briggs said. “You get what you earn.”

Jefferson has youth on its side though and could have great things to come in the future.

“We will see how they react to this. If they accept it and don’t do anything to improve we don’t get anything out of today,” Briggs said. “I am excited about our future though.”

CLASS 3A DISTRICT WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
At C.R. Kennedy

TEAM SCORES
(State qualifiers in parentheses)

1. CR Prairie (9) 277
2. Western Dubuque (8) 220
3. CR Kennedy (2) 140
4. Dubuque Senior (2) 127.5
5. CR Jefferson (1) 125.5
6. CR Washington (3) 118
7. Marshalltown (1) 82.5
8. Dubuque Hempstead (2) 56

106 Pounds
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Chase Lynn of Dubuque Senior
2nd Place - Austin Hosch of Western Dubuque
3rd Place - Griffin Bollman of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
4th Place - Dax Dills of Cedar Rapids Washington
5th Place - Zack Fiser of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
6th Place - Kobi Cowen of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
1st Place Match
Chase Lynn (Dubuque Senior) dec. Austin Hosch (Western Dubuque) 4-3
2nd Place Wrestleback
Austin Hosch (Western Dubuque) over Griffin Bollman (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), RULE
3rd Place Match
Griffin Bollman (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) dec. Dax Dills (Cedar Rapids Washington) 12-5
5th Place Match
Zack Fiser (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) major dec. Kobi Cowen (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) 12-0

113 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Josh Wenger of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - Patrick Rashed of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
3rd Place - Nathan Waterhouse of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
4th Place - Andy Dougherty of Western Dubuque
5th Place - Troy Neagle of Cedar Rapids Washington
6th Place - Ian Hurst of Dubuque Hempstead
1st Place Match
Josh Wenger (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) pinned Patrick Rashed (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 3:52
2nd Place Wrestleback
Patrick Rashed (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) over Nathan Waterhouse (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), RULE
3rd Place Match
Nathan Waterhouse (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) dec. Andy Dougherty (Western Dubuque), 2-1
5th Place Match
Troy Neagle (Cedar Rapids Washington) dec. Ian Hurst (Dubuque Hempstead), UTB 2-2

120 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Chris Walters of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - Jake Gotto of Western Dubuque
3rd Place - Colten Phillips of Marshalltown
4th Place - Trey Schuler of Cedar Rapids Washington
5th Place - Kemmy Betwell of Dubuque Senior
6th Place - Taylor Moss of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
1st Place Match
Chris Walters (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) major dec. Jake Gotto (Western Dubuque), 12-4
2nd Place Wrestleback
Jake Gotto (Western Dubuque) over Colten Phillips (Marshalltown), RULE
3rd Place Match
Colten Phillips (Marshalltown) pinned Trey Schuler (Cedar Rapids Washington), 4:27
5th Place Match
Kemmy Betwell (Dubuque Senior) pinned Taylor Moss (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), 5:48

126 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Trey Blaha of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - Jordin Eicher of Cedar Rapids Washington
3rd Place - Michael Moncivais of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
4th Place - James Ruzicka of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
5th Place - Brandon Feldman of Dubuque Hempstead
6th Place - Jordan Peterson of Dubuque Senior
1st Place Match
Trey Blaha (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) pinned Jordin Eicher (Cedar Rapids Washington), 1:10
2nd Place Wrestleback
Jordin Eicher (Cedar Rapids Washington) over Michael Moncivais (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), RULE
3rd Place Match
Michael Moncivais (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) pinned James Ruzicka (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), 1:36
5th Place Match
Brandon Feldman (Dubuque Hempstead) dec. Jordan Peterson (Dubuque Senior), 12-6

132 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Luke Kremer of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
2nd Place - Nick Steger of Western Dubuque
3rd Place - Zack Becicka of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
4th Place - Trevor Luebe of Cedar Rapids Washington
5th Place - Matt Hesselman of Dubuque Senior
6th Place - Spencer Brosseau of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
1st Place Match
Luke Kremer (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) dec. Nick Steger (Western Dubuque), 3-1 (2OT)
2nd Place Wrestleback
Nick Steger (Western Dubuque) over Zack Becicka (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), RULE
3rd Place Match
Zack Becicka (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) dec. Trevor Luebe (Cedar Rapids Washington), 6-3
5th Place Match
Matt Hesselman (Dubuque Senior) pinned Spencer Brosseau (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 4:23

138 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Ryan Rodriguez of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
2nd Place - Dylan Gansen of Western Dubuque
3rd Place - Skyler St. John of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
4th Place - Luke Sedlacek of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
5th Place - Zach Slocum of Marshalltown
6th Place - Enoc Alvarenga of Dubuque Senior
1st Place Match
Ryan Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) dec. Skyler St. John (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), 7-2
2nd Place Wrestleback
Dylan Gansen (Western Dubuque) dec. Skyler St. John (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), 4-2
3rd Place Match
Dylan Gansen (Western Dubuque) dec. Luke Sedlacek (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 6-2
5th Place Match
Zach Slocum (Marshalltown) dec. Enoc Alvarenga (Dubuque Senior), 8-7

145 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Peyton Wagner of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - Dawson Nemmers of Western Dubuque
3rd Place - Ben Feuerhelm of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
4th Place - Jake Steffen of Dubuque Senior
5th Place - Kelly May of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
6th Place - Tyler Burkle of Cedar Rapids Washington
1st Place Match
Peyton Wagner (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) major dec. Dawson Nemmers (Western Dubuque), 9-0
2nd Place Wrestleback
Dawson Nemmers (Western Dubuque) dec. Ben Feuerhelm (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), 6-2
3rd Place Match
Ben Feuerhelm (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) dec. Jake Steffen (Dubuque Senior), 4-3
5th Place Match
Kelly May (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) dec. Tyler Burkle (Cedar Rapids Washington), 7-3

152 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Zach Witte of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - Kaisar Herz of Cedar Rapids Washington
3rd Place - Bryce Hoerner of Western Dubuque
4th Place - Sean Knox of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
5th Place - Jack Freese of Dubuque Senior
6th Place - Agustin Ortiz of Marshalltown
1st Place Match
Zach Witte (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) pinned Kaisar Herz (Cedar Rapids Washington), :40
2nd Place Wrestleback
Kaiser Herz (Cedar Rapids Washington) pinned Bryce Hoerner (Western Dubuque), 1:13
3rd Place Match
Bryce Hoerner (Western Dubuque) over Sean Knox (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), injury default
5th Place Match
Jack Freese (Dubuque Senior) major dec.Agustin Ortiz (Marshalltown), 10-0

160 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Morgan Hall of Western Dubuque
2nd Place - Casey Becker of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
3rd Place - Shane Williams of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
4th Place - Shavez Butler of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
5th Place - Derek Mann of Marshalltown
6th Place - Mitch McElmeel of Dubuque Senior
1st Place Match
Morgan Hall (Western Dubuque) pinned Casey Becker (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), 3:05
2nd Place Wrestleback
Casey Becker (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) over Shane Williams (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), RULE
3rd Place Match
Shane Williams (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) pinned Shavez Butler (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 2:43
5th Place Match
Derek Mann (Marshalltown) pinned Mitch McElmeel (Dubuque Senior), 4:20

170 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Cameron Rathje of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - David Hughes of Marshalltown
3rd Place - Blake Kass of Western Dubuque
4th Place - Josh Allen of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
5th Place - Drake Hickok of Cedar Rapids Washington
6th Place - Curtis Stacey of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
1st Place Match
Cameron Rathje (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) dec. David Hughes (Marshalltown), 5-0
2nd Place Wrestleback
David Hughes (Marshalltown) over Blake Kass (Western Dubuque), RULE
3rd Place Match
Blake Kass (Western Dubuque) dec. Josh Allen (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 15-8
5th Place Match
Drake Hickok (Cedar Rapids Washington) pinned Curtis Stacey (Cedar Rapids Kennedy), :32

182 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Austin Gould of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
2nd Place - Layton Fritsch of Dubuque Hempstead
3rd Place - Brennan Koerperich of Western Dubuque
4th Place - Mario Torres of Marshalltown
5th Place - Rob Blake of Dubuque Senior
6th Place - Dalton Kuehl of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
1st Place Match
Austin Gould (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) dec. Layton Fritsch (Dubuque Hempstead), 7-4
2nd Place Wrestleback
Layton Fritsch (Dubuque Hempstead) over Brennan Koerperich (Western Dubuque), RULE
3rd Place Match
Brennan Koerperich (Western Dubuque) dec. Mario Torres (Marshalltown), 13-7
5th Place Match
Rob Blake (Dubuque Senior) pinned Dalton Kuehl (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 2:34

195 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Riley Demmer of Western Dubuque
2nd Place - Mitch Powers of Dubuque Senior
3rd Place - Trent Schulte of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
4th Place - Brandon Leary of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
5th Place - Dakoda Aldrich of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
6th Place - Matt Vandegrift of Marshalltown
1st Place Match
Riley Demmer (Western Dubuque) dec. Mitch Powers (Dubuque Senior), 14-12
2nd Place Wrestleback
Mitch Powers (Dubuque Senior) over Trent Schulte (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), RULE
3rd Place Match
Trent Schulte (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) dec. Brandon Leary (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 5-3
5th Place Match
Dakoda Aldrich (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) pinned Matt Vandegrift (Marshalltown), 2:25

220 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Brett Haas of Dubuque Hempstead
2nd Place - Andrew Netolicky of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
3rd Place - Jesse Blus of Dubuque Senior
4th Place - Drake Allen of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
5th Place - Zack Goodall of Cedar Rapids Kennedy
6th Place - Justin Curtis of Western Dubuque
1st Place Match
Brett Haas (Dubuque Hempstead) dec. Andrew Netolicky (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), 11-4
2nd Place Wrestleback
Andrew Netolicky (Prairie, Cedar Rapids) over Jesse Blus (Dubuque Senior), RULE
3rd Place Match
Jesse Blus (Dubuque Senior) dec. Drake Allen (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), 8-7
5th Place Match
Zack Goodall (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) dec. Justin Curtis (Western Dubuque), 1-0

285 Results
Guaranteed Places
1st Place - Tyler Burrell of Cedar Rapids Washington
2nd Place - Dakoda Elledge of Western Dubuque
3rd Place - Mic Vesey of Cedar Rapids Jefferson
4th Place - Tony Kavanagh of Prairie, Cedar Rapids
5th Place - Malcom Hawk of Marshalltown
6th Place - Christian Anderson of Dubuque Senior
1st Place Match
Tyler Burrell (Cedar Rapids Washington) dec. Dakoda Elledge (Western Dubuque), 3-2
2nd Place Wrestleback
Dakoda Elledge (Western Dubuque) over Mic Vesey (Cedar Rapids Jefferson), RULE
3rd Place Match
Mic Vesey (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) pinned Tony Kavanagh (Prairie, Cedar Rapids), 3:43
5th Place Match
Malcom Hawk (Marshalltown) dec. Christian Anderson (Dubuque Senior), 9-2

No. 6 Lions sweep Little Hawks, Warriors

IOWA CITY - Matt Wempen, Alijah Jeffery, Ross Lembeck and John Conner all collected two pins Thursday night as No. 6 Linn-Mar swept a Mississippi Valley Conference double dual in Iowa City.

The Lions belted Iowa City High, 63-6, and defeated Cedar Rapids Washington, 63-12. City High trimmed Washington, 35-29, in the third dual meet.

Damon Griffin, Joel Northrup and Mitch Wantock also won two bouts for Linn-Mar.

Kaisar Herz and Tyler Burrell were double winners for Washington.

LINN-MAR 63, IOWA CITY HIGH 6

106 - Matt Wempen (LM) pinned Alex Lemus, 1:52.
113 - Alijah Jeffery (LM) pinned Seth Schwarting, 1:35.
120 - Damon Griffin (LM) tech fall Ethan Vermase, 2:42.
126 - Trevor Berry (LM) major dec. Evgeney Kolyvanov, 14-2.
132 - Joel Northrup (LM) pinned Colin Donnelly, 3:42.
138 - Spencer Clabough (LM) dec. Devon Duarte, 4-1.
145 - Ross Lembeck (LM) pinned Carlos Garza, 1:27.
152 - Josh Pederson (LM) pinned Harrison Whitlow, 2:59.
160 - John Conner (LM) pinned Levi McCurn, 1:36.
170 - Mitch Wantock (LM) pinned Kody Dailey, 3:55.
182 - Mark Atwater (LM) won by forfeit.
195 - Ryan Maas (ICH) dec. Ryley Stancel, 6-2.
220 - Steve Ferentz (ICH) dec. A.J. Garcia, 5-4.
285 - Justin Green (LM) dec. Tanner Odle, 3-2.

LINN-MAR 63, WASHINGTON 12

106 - Matt Wempen (LM) pinned Dax Dills, 3:37.
113 - Alijah Jeffery (LM) pinned Devin Dills, 1:40.
120 - Damon Griffin (LM) pinned Trey Schuler, 1:08.
126 - Jordin Eicher (CRW) pinned Trevor Berry, 3:18.
132 - Joel Northrup (LM) tech fall Jacob Boatwright, 3:20.
138 - Spencer Clabough (LM) won by forfeit.
145 - Ross Lembeck (LM) pinned Tyler Burkle, 2:58.
152 - Kaisar Herz (CRW) dec. Josh Pederson, 3-2.
160 - John Conner (LM) pinned Evan Lehrman, 2:40.
170 - Mitch Wantock (LM) major dec. Drake Hickok, 15-5.
182 - Mark Atwater (LM) pinned Noah Williams, 1:12.
195 - Ryley Stancel (LM) won by forfeit.
220 - A.J. Garcia (LM) won by forfeit.
285 - Tyler Burrell (CRW) dec. Justin Green, 7-3.

IOWA CITY HIGH 35, WASHINGTON 29

106 - Alex Lemus (ICH) major dec. Dax Dills, 11-2.
113 - Seth Schwarting (ICH) dec. Devin Dills, 8-5.
120 - Trey Schuler (CRW) tech fall Ethan Vermase, 6:00.
126 - Jordin Eicher (CRW) won by forfeit.
132 - Evgeney Kolyvanov (ICH) major dec. Jacob Boatwright, 13-3.
138 - Devon Duarte (ICH) won by forfeit.
145 - Tyler Burkle (CRW) dec. Carlos Garza, 6-1.
152 - Kaisar Herz (CRW) pinned Harrison Whitlow, 2:19.
160 - Levin McCurn (ICH) dec. Jared Eicher, 5-2.
170 - Evan Lehrman (CRW) pinned Keegen Feeney, 0:40.
182 - Kody Dailey (ICH) dec. Drake Hickok, 5-3.
195 - Ryan Maas (ICH) pinned Noah Williams, 0:56.
220 - Steve Ferentz (ICH) won by forfeit.
285 - Tyler Burrell (CRW) dec. Tanner Odle, 7-4.

Washington grapplers split at South Tama

TAMA - Tyler Burrell and Noah Fox collected a pair of pins Tuesday night as Cedar Rapids Washington split a double-dual meet at South Tama.

The Warriors defeated South Tama, 50-29, but were nudged by East Marshall, 35-34.

Burrell, the top-ranked heavyweight in Class 3A, pinned Dalton Vest of South Tama in 3:26 and flattened Chance Markle of East Marshall in 14 seconds.

Fox stuck Bryce Climer of South Tama in 3:31 at 195 pounds and pinned Tanner Krier of East Marshall in 1:16.

Dax Dills (106), Devin Dills (113), Trey Schuler (120), Jordin Eicher (126) and Trevor Luebe (132) all won two matches for Washington.

EAST MARSHALL 35, WASHINGTON 34
106 - Dax Dills (CRW) dec. Zach Underhill, 4-3.
113 - Devin Dills (CRW) dec. Steven Proffit, 5-2.
120 - Trey Schuler (CRW) major dec. Drew Schossow, 14-6.
126 - Jordin Eicher (CRW) pinned Talon Roseland, 1:14.
132 - Trevor Luebe (CRW) pinned Ryan Webb, 3:29.
138 - Cole Harre (EM) dec. J.P. Mercado, 9-4.
145 - Nate Dixon (EM) pinned Tyler Burkle, 1:13.
152 - Blake Meling (EM) tech fall Kaisar Herz, 22-7.
160 - Blane Anderson (EM) pinned Jared Eicher, 5:29.
170 - Jay Reisetter (EM) dec. Drake Hickok, 6-5.
182 - Dalton Beadle (EM) pinned Noah Williams, 0:46.
195 - Noah Fox (CRW) pinned Tanner Krier, 1:16.
220 - Brock Pieters (EM) won by forfeit.
285 - Tyler Burrell (CRW) pinned Chance Markle, 0:14.

WASHINGTON 50, SOUTH TAMA 29
106 - Dax Dills (CRW) pinned Ben Packer, 1:20.
113 - Devin Dills (CRW) pinned Jake Thiessen, 1:00.
120 - Trey Schuler (CRW) major dec. Kade Steuhm, 16-6.
126 - Jordin Eicher (CRW) won by forfeit.
132 - Trevor Luebe (CRW) major dec. Cesar Rivera, 8-0.
138 - Levi Kaufman (ST) pinned J.P. Mercado, 3:29.
145 - Tyler Burkle (CRW) pinned Dylan Kalinay, 5:00.
152 - Tyler Walz (ST) pinned Kaisar Herz, 0:45.
160 - Erik Lux (ST) pinned Jared Eicher, 1:45.
170 - Drake Hickok (CRW) pinned Kolton Smith, 5:15.
182 - Kyle Llewellyn (ST) tech fall Noah Williams, 18-1.
195 - Noah Fox (CRW) pinned Bryce Climer, 3:31.
220 - Miguel Guzman (ST) won by forfeit.
285 - Tyler Burrell (CRW) pinned Dalton Vest, 3

Prairie freshman upsets state champion

Prairie freshman Josh Wenger is only 15 years old, so maybe he doesn't know that he's not supposed to beat a state champion who will wrestle at the University of Wisconsin next year.

Maybe he doesn't care.

Wenger clipped Iowa City West senior Phillip Laux, 6-3, at 113 pounds Thursday night during their Mississippi Valley Conference meet in the Prairie gym.

Wenger didn't know Laux won the Class 3A 103-pound title last year as a junior when Wenger was still in the eighth grade.

"I didn't. Some kids told me about it," he said. "It didn't really affect me coming into tonight.

"Winning a state title is a good accomplishment for him and stuff, but now I want to do that. So we're going to be fighting for that, too."

Iowa City West beat Prairie, 38-26, in a showdown between the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the state, but the big story was the little freshman for the Hawks.

"I'll tell ya, you say sometimes he keeps surprising you," mused Prairie Coach Blake Williams, "but it ends up not being as surprising the more he does it.

"The good thing about him, he doesn't let things get to him, he doesn't think about who he's wrestling, he just goes out and wrestles. That's key."

Wenger has an impressive 34-3 mark as a freshman and is ranked No. 3 in the state, but beating a state champion who will wrestle in the Big Ten next season is quite an accomplishment. Laux (36-3) is ranked No. 1 and is favored to win another state crown.

"I don't really pay much attention to any of those rankings," said Wenger. "Some kids tell me about them. I don't go on (the internet) and look at them. I don't think it really means anything. It's all how you do down at state."

Wenger appeared to take his victory over Laux in stride.

"It matters, but it's not like, 'I beat you here, so I'll automatically win down there,'" he said. "I have to fight every time."

Wenger was a state AAU runnerup last year as an eighth grader, so Williams knew he was getting a good wrestler. However, the coach wasn't sure what to expect.

"It's hard to say," Williams remarked. "You knew he was talented - and he is very talented - but it's the other things about him that I think make him a very good wrestler at an early age as a freshman.

"I would say his mentality is definitely one of his strong points. He just doesn't let things get to him and does what he does best."

Laux took a 2-0 lead with a takedown in the first period, but Wenger escaped and got a takedown of his own for a 3-2 advantage. Laux let Wenger escape to start the second period, giving the rookie a 4-2 lead.

Laux escaped to start the third period, pulling within 4-3, and it became a fight to the finish. Laux tried a risky move in the final 10 seconds, looking for a takedown and the victory, but Wenger felt it coming, fought it off and got a takedown of his own for the 6-3 verdict.

Wenger received a standing ovation from Prairie fans and got a series of hugs from coaches and teammates. Through it all, he acted like he'd done it before and expected to win.

"I thought it was a good match," he said. "It kind of set me where I wanted to be going into the MVC and everything. I knew he was a good kid and I had to come out and wrestle hard."

Wenger and Laux could meet again in the Mississippi Valley Conference meet Saturday on Laux's home mat at Iowa City West. Ultimately, they could meet in the state tournament in Des Moines.

"I'd love to be in the finals, giving all I've got, putting me in a good spot and see how things fall from there," said Wenger.

Wenger did not have to work as hard in his second match Thursday night. He pinned Cedar Rapids Washington junior Devin Dills in 37 seconds as the Hawks drubbed the Warriors, 65-15.

Washington also lost to Iowa City West, 65-10, in the double dual. Dax Dills had a good night for the Warriors at 106 pounds, posting an 18-4 major decision over Jasmine Bailey of Iowa City West and collecting a pin in 3:30 against Zack Fiser of Prairie.

Iowa City West and Prairie split their 14 matches, 7-7, but the Trojans rolled up extra team points with five pins and two major decisions. Austin Gould had Prairie's only pin against Iowa City West at 182 pounds and Zach Witte posted a technical fall at 152.

Prairie collected nine pins and a technical fall against Washington.

IOWA CITY WEST 38, PRAIRIE 26
132 - Dakota Bauer (ICW) major dec. Zach Becicka, 21-12.
138 - Skyler St. John (CRP) dec. Sam Chalkley, 7-3.
145 - Gradey Gambrall (ICW) major dec. Peyton Wagner, 11-3.
152 - Zach Witte (CRP) tech fall Payton Kauzlarich, 19-3 (5:22).
160 - Justin Koethe (ICW) pinned Casey Becker, 0:17.
170 - Cameron Rathje (CRP) dec. Mike Watkins, 5-4.
182 - Austin Gould (CRP) pinned Micah Kelsay, 1:35.
195 - Mickey Pelfrey (ICW) pinned J.T. Anderson, 1:40.
220 - Paul Pelfrey (ICW) pinned Trent Schulte, 4:00.
285 - Andrew Netolicky (CRP) dec. Colin Foerstner, 5-1.
106 - Zack Fiser (CRP) dec. Jasmine Bailey, 14-8.
113 - Josh Wenger (CRP) dec. Phillip Laux, 6-3.
120 - Ernest Willis (ICW) pinned Austin Erlandson, 1:49.
126 - Jack Hathaway (ICW) pinned Trey Blaha, 3:49.

IOWA CITY WEST 65, WASHINGTON 10
138 - Sam Chalkley (ICW) pinned J.P. Mercado, 1:46.
145 - Gradey Gambrall (ICW) pinned Tyler Burkle, 3:06.
152 - Payton Kauzlarich (ICW) major dec. Kaisar Herz, 12-4.
160 - Justin Koethe (ICW) won by forfeit.
170 - Mike Watkins (ICW) dec. Drake Hickok, 3-1 (ot).
182 - Micah Kelsay (ICW) major dec. Noah Williams, 10-1.
195 - Mickey Pelfrey (ICW) pinned Noah Fox, 3:47.
220 - Paul Pelfrey (ICW) won by forfeit.
285 - Tyler Burrell (CRW) won by forfeit.
106 - Dax Dills (CRW) major dec. Jasmine Bailey, 18-4.
113 - Phillip Laux (ICW) pinned Devin Dills, 1:30.
120 - Ernest Willis (ICW) pinned Trey Schuler, 4:19.
126 - Jack Hathaway (ICW) pinned Jordin Eicher, 2:35.
132 - Dakota Bauer (ICW) pinned Trevor Luebe, 0:47.

PRAIRIE 65, WASHINGTON 15
145 - Peyton Wagner (CRP) tech fall Tyler Burkle, 19-3 (4:00).
152 - Zach Witte (CRP) pinned Kaisar Herz, 2:39.
160 - Casey Becker (CRP) pinned Evan Lehrman, 1:46.
170 - Cameron Rathje (CRP) pinned Drake Hickok, 1:23.
182 - Austin Gould (CRP) pinned Noah Williams, 0:45.
195 - Trent Schulte (CRP) pinned Noah Fox, 3:51.
220 - Andrew Netolicky (CRP) won by forfeit.
285 - Tyler Burrell (CRW) dec. Tony Kavanagh, 7-3.
106 - Dax Dills (CRW) pinned Zack Fiser, 3:30.
113 - Josh Wenger (CRP) pinned Devin Dills, 0:37.
120 - Trey Schuler (CRW) pinned Austin Erlandson, 2:40.
126 - Trey Blaha (CRP) pinned Jordin Eicher, 5:00.
132 - Zach Becicka (CRP) pinned Trevor Luebe, 1:54.
138 - Skyler St. John (CRP) pinned J.P. Mercado, 3:13.