Alburnett claims State Duals wrestling crown on criteria over rival Lisbon

DES MOINES — The moment left wrestlers with their head in their hands, trying to make sense of what transpired.

For one team, it was cause for a heart-racing celebration. The other for heart-wrenching disappointment.

In another epic wrestling battle between Alburnett and Lisbon, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty helped force a tie and decide the dual on criteria.

The dramatic finish ended with the Pirates claiming a championship at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A State Duals tournament Wednesday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Alburnett edged Lisbon, 32-31, receiving a tiebreaker point for its first title since 2013.

The highly contested, back-and-forth dual came to a stand still when Lisbon state champions Nick Williams and Carter Happel scored bonus points in the final two matches. Williams posted an 11-3 major decision at 138 and Happel (145) received a forfeit. Instead of winning by a point, the Lions had to settle for a tie score due to a team-point deduction for unsportsmanlike conduct after the 126-pound bout. The penalty deadlocked the teams and served as the initial criteria.

'It was a crazy way to win,' Alburnett senior Bryce Paul said. 'I didn't even know what was happening at the time. Being able to hold the gold trophy and take it back home with us for duals is a great feeling.'

Lisbon Coach Brad Smith said he was aware of the deduction.

'Our 126-pounder came off the mat saying something that he shouldn't have said,' Smith said. 'The referee heard it.'

Once things were sorted out at the scoring table, the Pirates began to celebrate their second state dual title and fourth state team crown.

'It feels real good,' Alburnett's Conner Shulista said. 'My senior year, you have to go out with a bang. We got it done.'

Alburnett scored crucial points and prevented a couple more for the feat. Alburnett received pins from defending state champion Paul and state runner-up Shulista.

Heavyweight Jake Langhoff provided a boost, avenging a previous loss with a 9-5 win over Logan O'Connor. Langhoff ignited the Pirates with the victory because he had been pinned by O'Connor in the past. He could hear the support from the crowd.

'I was just trying to keep focused,' Langhoff said. 'I tried to keep my head level and not get too crazy and get the win over him.'

Alburnett earned a key major decision at 113 when Mason Wickman scored a takedown at the end of regulation for a 12-3 victory over Ryne Mohrfeld.

Ben Moyer was awarded a takedown with two seconds left in the sudden victory period, topping Cooper Siebrecht, 2-0. Drake Halblom tallied five points in the final minute for a 9-4 win over Chase Laughlin at 132, giving Alburnett a 31-21 lead.

'If there is a second on the clock then there is time to score points,' Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said. 'Wickman showed it. Moyer showed it. All up and down the lineup they showed it.'

Rush said they have emphasized the importance of fight all season, breaking their final huddle with the very word. The mentality propelled them to a title.

'If you look through those weights, that's what won us the dual,' Rush said. 'Just fighting hard in all positions. These guys are full of fight and that's why this program has been good for a long time.'

The Lions (25-4) opened with a decision from Hunter Robinson at 152 and Dakota O'Connor added a pint at 195. Lisbon's Cobe Siebrecht scored a reversal and two nearfall in the final seconds to knock off fourth-ranked Jaymus Wilson at 106.

Smith said 120 was a key turning point and a match the Lions needed to secure.

'We lost some matches we shouldn't have lost,' Smith said. 'It was back-to-back.'

Rush, a former two-time NCAA champion, four-time All-American and assistant coach for Coe, is in his first year at Alburnett. he was emotional after the final dual, giving the Pirates a 35-5 record.

'Pretty exhilarating,' Rush said. 'It's a good start to the weekend.'

Alburnett had to battle to reach the final. The Pirates claimed nine weights, upending second-seeded Don Bosco, 43-30, in the semifinal. Halblom (126) pinned Nick Mangrich in 2:25, giving Alburnett a 37-30 lead and securing the victory before the final bout, which the Dons forfeited.

Hoyer (145), Shulista (152), Paul (160) and Wickman (113) each added bonus points against the Dons. Shulista, Paul and Wickman all had pins.

The Pirates beat Sloan Westwood, 47-27, in the opener.

Lisbon experienced little trouble, rolling through the semifinals. The Lions won 12 matches in a 61-11 victory over Sigourney-Keota in the quarterfinals.

Lisbon won seven straight matches to end its 50-22 semifinal victory over Sibley-Ocheyedan. Heavyweight Logan O'Connor sparked the win streak with a pin right before the end of the second period. Cobe Siebrecht (106), Cooper Siebrecht (120) and 126-pounder Wally Zernich all decked opponents under a minute and Mohrfeld added a major decision at 113 during that stretch.

Sigourney-Keota qualified for the State Duals for the first time. The Savages finished eighth with a 25-6 record.

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