1A State Wrestling: Alburnett powers way to early lead

DES MOINES — Fast, furious and in first.

Alburnett isn't interested in slowing down until they complete its mission of another state title.

Drake Halblom's overtime fall against Moravia's second-ranked Briar Cochran was one of the Pirates seven bonus-point wins, giving them the team lead after the first day of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A state wrestling tournament Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Alburnett had 28 points, seven more than second place Don Bosco.

'These guys were focused,' Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson said. 'They were firing.'

Halblom sent the Pirates, their crowd and even their coaches into a frenzy with his upset pin. He tensed his muscles in excitement and then was met in the center of the mat by his father and assistant coach, Matt, who enthusiastically jumped from the corner to congratulated him.

The ninth-ranked 126-pounder said it was his biggest win.

'It was great because I've been working so hard for a state title,' Halblom said. 'I've wanted it all year.

'When we saw the draw, I knew it was going to be tough.'

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He trailed 6-3 late, but stormed back to force the sudden victory period. He countered Cochran's offense and recognized the chance to put Cochran away.

'All I had to do is hip my leg back,' Halblom said. 'I'm really good when I get that head trapped with a nearside cradle. That is what I hit and it was there.

'It was huge for my confidence. It was huge for the team, getting the fall in overtime and extra points toward the team title.'

The Pirates won their first seven matches, receiving pins from Ben Moyer (113), Tucker Franklin (120), Tanner Sloan (138) and top-ranked 145-pounder Conner Shulista. Two-time state champion Hunter Washburn (132) and 170-pounder Austin Hoyle added major decisions to give Alburnett, which matched the total of the team in sixth.

'Bonus points are nice to have,' Thompson said. 'Those are hard to come by sometimes.'

Thompson praised Sloan, a freshman, and Moyer, a sophomore, for pinning higher-ranked seniors.

'I think we were favored in four of 10 matches and we won eight of them,' Thompson said. 'It's a testament to these guys not caring about being the underdog.'

Tipton 113-pounder Eric Lenz played the role of underdog against Mason City Newman's No. 4 Jeremiah Colon. Seventh-ranked Lenz scored a decisive takedown with 11 seconds left in the match for a 4-3 win.

'It came down to conditioning,' Lenz said. 'I just wanted it more. It was my go-to shot and I finished right there on the edge.'

Lenz was overwhelmed last year, going 1-2 here. He said he was more relaxed and prepared this time.

'I knew it was going to be tough,' said Lenz, who faces Southeast Warren's No. 3 Brady Kyner in the quarterfinal. 'It is just nice getting that first win and knowing I can come back tomorrow with my head back on straight.'

Lenz (32-3) was joined in the quarterfinals by Mitch Champman at 170 and 182-pounder Jordan Challis, who recorded a 16-4 major decision over Woodbury Central's Reed Mitchell.

Lisbon, Maquoketa Valley and Highland each had two quarterfinalists.

The Lions were sixth with 12 points after the first day. Defending state champions Nick Williams (126) and Carter Happel at 138 took a step closer in repeat bids.

Top-ranked Williams beat Tri-Center's No. 3 Christian Polley, 3-1. Happel improved to 52-0, pinning Akron-Westfield's Sebastian Berg in 2:54.

Maquoketa Valley state champion Ryan Parmely (220) used 48 seconds to pin Southeast Warren's Tate Vandyne, inching closer to a second straight and a fourth state medal. Teammate Steve Huber beat Parmely's fall, sticking Sigourney-Keota's Kaleb Reeves in 18 seconds at 182.

Twin brothers Drew and Bryce West remained unbeaten for the Huskies. Bryce West (47-0), who placed third last year, needed just 26 seconds to drop Nodaway Valley's Ben Freese at 120. Drew West, the 2014 106-pound state champ, moved to 45-0 with a second-period fall over Don Bosco Jeremy Schmitz at 113.

BGM junior Colton Massengale created an instant memory in his state debut. The ninth-ranked 182-pounder edged South Winn's No. 4 Landers Kuboushek, 8-6. He was inspired by a gift from his hometown supporters, wishing him well.

'It really helped me in that match,' Massengale said. 'Every time I was down these guys were with me. I made it work.'

Massengale said stamina played a factor, but he took the mat with nothing to lose and everything he had.

'I was the underdog going into it,' Massengale said. 'I told myself what it takes to win this match is to give it all I've got and that is what I gave it.'

Like Massengale, Belle Plaine's Joey Schwenn was his team's lone qualifier. He also advanced to the quarterfinals with a dramatic pin over Okoboji's Noah Bouse in 4:33.

Schwenn's unorthodox style paid dividends.

'We got in a scramble,' Schwenn said. 'I got a little bit of leverage and put him on his back.

'I'm a pretty good scrambler. A lot of times I'll come out on top.'

Schwenn wasn't worried when he trailed by four in the third. He remained in control and kept working toward his goal of a state medal.

'I like to keep calm and keep on going,' Schwenn said. 'Find an opportunity to win.'

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