No. 2 Don Bosco beats No. 1 Lisbon in 1A wrestling classic, 36-30

GILBERTVILLE – Don Bosco Coach Tom Hogan experienced déjà vu.

Moments transported him back three decades ago when the Don Bosco and Lisbon prep wrestling rivalry was in its heyday.

'I talked to the team about the old meets back in the 1980s,' said Hogan, referring to the decade the two state powers combined for nine state tournament titles and two titles and two state runner-up finishes at State Duals. 'I knew it would be like it.'

Class 1A second-ranked Don Bosco recorded three pins and received forfeits in the final two weights for a 36-30 victory over No. 1 Lisbon in front of a standing room only crowd Tuesday night at Don Bosco.

Momentum shifted in Don Bosco's favor at 138 pounds with Lisbon owning a 15-12 lead. The Dons' Austin Hellman notched the biggest win of his career, pinning state finalist and fifth-ranked Chase McLaughlin in 3:17.

'The entire meet was exciting,' Hellman said. 'It got me going.'

Hellman scored the opening takedown, but McLaughlin responded with reversals in the first and at the start of the second period for a 4-2 lead. Hellman gained confidence with that first takedown and added to it by reversing McLaughlin to his back.

Hellman relied on an old Don Bosco staple, locking up a cradle for the second-period fall and an 18-15 Dons lead.

'I was just wrestling my match,' said Hellman, a junior. 'It was habit. I felt it and went with it.'

The Dons also received pins from second-ranked Gable Fox at 120 and 152-pounder Jeremy Schmitz, who put them ahead 24-18 with five weights left.

Don Bosco's fifth-ranked Daniel Kimball produced another key win. He scored a takedown with 39 seconds left in the one-minute sudden-victory period for an 8-6 victory over No. 3 Cobe Siebrecht at 106. The victory ignited the crowd and sparked Hogan's memory of those old battles.

'It reminded me when Kimball got that takedown in overtime,' Hogan said. 'I haven't heard this gym that loud in many a year.'

Lisbon still fought back and led 30-24 after Jake Jennett's 8-2 decision at 182, but the Lions had no one available for the final two weights.

'They got the bonus points,' Lisbon Coach Brad Smith said. 'We knew we had to be ahead by 13 points.'

Logan O'Connor got things rolling for the Lions, moving up to heavyweight and scoring a second-period fall in the first match.

Top-ranked Cael Happel handled No. 10 Easton Larson, earning a 19-4 technical fall. Happel racked up four takedowns and nine nearfall points, putting Lisbon up, 11-3, after three matches. Cooper Siebrecht (132) won by major decision.

Jack Butteris (145) and Kaden Kilburg (160) added decisions for Lisbon. Kilburg rebounded from a 7-1 deficit for a 13-10 victory over Owen Mangrich.

'We lost matches we shouldn't have,' Smith said. 'We have to keep plugging away and working.

'This is a little drawback. Give credit to Don Bosco. They're a heck of a team.'

The top-two ranked 1A teams could battle for a bigger prize at the end of the season. Both are contenders for a traditional state title and a State Duals crown.

'It would be fun to see them again in Des Moines,' Hogan said. 'It will be a dogfight again. Just like this one.'

AT GILBERTVILLE

Don Bosco 36, Lisbon 30

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

Hwt. – Logan O'Connor (L) pinned Austin Svoboda, 3:44 (2,0); 106 pounds – Daniel Kimball (DB) dec. Cobe Siebrecht, 8-6 SV (3,1); 113 – Cael Happel (L) tech. fall Easton Larson, 19-4 (4,0); 120 – Gable Fox (DB) pinned Max Abodeely, :29 (1,0); 126 – Logan Lutgen (DB) dec. Ryne Mohrfeld, 8-6 (1,2); 132 – Cooper Siebrecht (L) major dec. Max Wettengel, 16-4 (5,0); 138 – Austin Hellman (DB) pinned Chase McLaughlin, 3:17 (1,0); 145 – Jack Butteris (L) dec. Thomas Even, 3-2 (0,0); 152 – Jeremy Schmitz (DB) pinned Clay McCoy, 4:17 (3,1); 160 - Kaden Kilburg (L) dec. Owen Mangrich, 13-10 (4,2); 170 – Bryce Werderman (L) won by forfeit; 182 – Jake Jennett (L) dec. Wyatt Sawvel, 8-2 (3,0); 195 – Alex Carpenter (DB) won by forfeit; 220 – Walker Even (DB) won by forfeit.

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Lisbon 22, Don Bosco 11. Reversals – Lisbon 7, Don Bosco 5. Escape – Lisbon 10, Don Bosco 15. Nearfall points – Lisbon 14, Don Bosco 7. Penalty points (awarded) – Lisbon 0, Don Bosco 0. Total match points – Lisbon 82, Don Bosco 54.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com