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Cougars crown 4 district mat champs

EPWORTH -- They held a demolition derby at Western Dubuque High School Saturday and called it a Class 3A district wrestling tournament.

Linn-Mar survived a day of bloody noses to trim Prairie, 223-207.5, for the district title on a day that had a little of something for everyone.

A little happiness, a little sadness.

Prairie and Kennedy crowned four individual champions apiece, Linn-Mar captured three titles and Xavier notched one as Metro wrestlers nabbed 12 of the 14 individual crowns.

On the unhappy side, quality individuals like Prairie 103-pounder Trey Blaha, Xavier 171-pounder Peter Ickes and Linn-Mar 189-pounder Mark Atwater did not qualify for the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb. 17-19.

"It's tough to see a good kid not be able to reach their dreams," Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher remarked.

The top-2 finishers at each weight class qualified for the state tournament. Blaha and Atwater both finished third, as did other talented wrestlers.

Chris Walters (119), Zach Witte (145), Cameron Rathje (152) and Andrew Netolicky (189) earned district titles for Prairie.

Luke Kremer (135), Ryan Rodriguez (140), Jordan Baskerville (160) and Ryan "Living Dangerously" Sheldon (171) captured individual crowns for Kennedy.

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Cougars escape with Roloff's 300th win

Somebody forgot to tell the spunky Marion girls it was supposed to be rollover for Roloff Saturday night at the Kennedy gym.

Veteran Cougar Coach Dennis Roloff was going for his 300th win in a 20-year career at the school. Not many figured the party would be spoiled by a middle-of-the-pack 6-14 team from the Class 3A Wamac conference.

But it took a couple of improbable turn of events in the last 37.5 seconds of a roller coaster game for Kennedy (8-13)  to escape with a 50-49 near-miracle victory.

Roloff himself wasn’t one of those who thought the big school/small school match-up would be in the bag.

“They’re very well coached,” he said after a post-game celebration at midcourt.

“We knew their kids would come ready to play and play hard. And for 31 minutes and 30 seconds or so, they played wonderful.”

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Cougar girls zap Xavier

Alecia McEachran rolled a 192 high game and 358 series and Kennedy beat Xavier, 2479-2379, Friday in a Mississippi Valey Conference girls bowling meet at Cedar Rapids Bowling Center.

Amanda Wiedemeier fired a 180 game and 343 series for Kennedy (14-4, 7-3 MVC).

Sophomore Tara Trcka led all scorers with a 306 high game and 397 series for Xavier (4-8, 4-6).

KENNEDY (2479): Caitlin Dicus 166-313, Tanner Rhoades 184-311, Alecia McEachran 192-358, Amanda Wiedemeier 180-343, Paige Ermer 175-322.

XAVIER (2379): Kari Brost 143-271, Erica Fry 146-287, Abbey Konzen 156-305, Aileen Conway 157-290, Tara Trcka 206-397.

First round -- Kennedy 1647, Xavier 1550. Baker round -- Kennedy 832, Xavier 829.

Smith's hot hand carries Cougars

Justin Smith had the hot hand with a 242 high game and 405 series that led Kennedy past Xavier, 2895-2648, Friday in a Mississippi Valley Conference boys bowling meet at Cedar Rapids Bowling Center.

Troy McKiernan rolled a high game of 212 and Austin Marshall a 203 for Kennedy (6-9, 3-7 MVC).

Mitchell Huss had a 207 high game and 377 series for Xavier (0-12, 0-10). Alex Gibney shot a 206.

XAVIER (2648): Mitchell Huss 207-377, Ryan DeWit 196-379, Logan Buschette 175-338, Alex Gibney 206-353, Kyle Elliott 192-375.

KENNEDY (2895): Austin Marshall 203-385, Justin Smith 242-405, Casey Sheets 187-373, Kyle Custer 181-327, Troy McKiernan 212-388.

First round -- Kennedy 1878, Xavier 1822. Baker round -- Kennedy 1017, Xavier 826.