Alburnett's Jaymus Wilson wins title at Independence Invitational

INDEPENDENCE — Wrestling is more than just a sport for Jaymus Wilson.

The Alburnett sophomore views it as a lifestyle that he began about the age of 4.

'I dedicate a lot of time to the sport,' Wilson said. 'I've grown up into it. It's a big part of my life.'

Wilson reaped the rewards of his hard work, capturing the 106-pound title Saturday at the Independence Invitational. New Hampton claimed the team title in the 25-team field with 285 points, beating runner-up Fort Dodge by 26.

Class 1A top-ranked Wilson edged Lisbon's No. 4 Cobe Siebrecht, 4-3, using a takedown in the first, a reversal in the second and ride out in the final period. It was his second decision in three days against the Lion.

'I was really motivated,' Wilson said. 'I've been working my tail off in the room.'

Plenty of the work was done before this season. Wilson practiced three to four times a week for two hours during the summer.

'He loves wrestling,' Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said. 'I feel like he's always seeking opportunities to get on the mat, especially against good competition.'

Wilson reached the final with a pin in 5:34 over Fort Dodge's Jeremy Ayala, who is rated fifth in 3A. He took advantage of the chance to face some of the state's best, going 8-0 with six pins in the two-day event that drew about 1,600 total fans.

'He's always offensive, trying to score points,' Rush said. 'He's fun to watch.'

Wilson made a bit of a proclamation. He finished fifth at the state tournament as a freshman. Wilson won't be satisfied with anything less than gold.

'I'm definitely going to finish on top,' Wilson said. 'I've been dreaming of it since I was a kid.'

Alburnett's Tanner Sloan also reached the finals, falling to D.J. Shannon, of Christian Brothers College (Mo.), 5-3, in sudden victory.

First was a first for Cedar Rapids Prairie's Preston LaGrange. The Hawks' 182-pound senior never won a tournament last season. He dominated the 182-pound bracket, beating South Tama's Dalton Rosenberg, 16-4, in the final.

'It feels good,' LaGrange said. 'A win is a win.'

LaGrange broke open the match with 14 points in the final two periods, leading 2-1 after the first. He was still tallying points with the match in hand, getting three nearfall as time expired.

'The big thing is he got a couple takedowns and felt it,' Prairie Coach Kane Thompson said. 'He started to cut him and build his lead without us telling him. That was big.'

Linn-Mar's Brayden Schultz followed LaGrange with a championship at 195, but he needed much less time. Schultz tossed CBC's Charlie Cadell and pinned him in 44 seconds. He remained unbeaten and has pinned all but one opponent.

'He's probably the most diverse wrestler we have,' Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher said. 'He's been using three to four takedowns. He's pulling things out. He's unpredictable and that's helping him out.'

Cedar Rapids Xavier's Josh Gerke joined the Metro's pin parade in the final. Gerke decked South Tama's Colton Vest as time expired in the second period for the 145 title. Gerke, ranked third, finished the tournament with seven pins and improved to 9-0 with eight falls.

'I couldn't ask for more,' Xavier Coach Ryan Chambers said. 'You can't complain about what he's doing. He's pretty impressive with a dominant style.'

Solon duo Bryce and Drew West reached the finals and helped the Spartans place fourth, one spot ahead of Prairie.

Both finished second. In a battle of No. 1 and nationally-ranked wrestlers, Fort Dodge's Brody Teske (3A) pinned Bryce West (2A) in 5:25 with the score tied, 9-9. Teske was voted Outstanding Wrestler by the coaches.

Drew West dropped a decision to CBC's Malik Johnson.

Fort Dodge led the tournament with four individual champions, including Triston and Cayd Lara. Lara won a battle of top-ranked wrestlers at 138, scoring a late takedown for a 3-1 decision over New Hampton's Keaton Geerts.

INDEPENDENCE INVITATIONAL

Teams – 1. New Hampton 285, 2. Fort Dodge 259, 3. Christian Brothers College (Mo.) 242, 4. Solon 227, 5. C.R. Prairie 216, 6. Crestwood 207.5, 7. Lisbon 190.5, 8. Linn-Mar 171, 9. Alburnett 147, 10. South Tama 145.5, 11. Osage 124, 12. Fort Madison 118, 13. C.R. Xavier 115, 14. Waterloo East 108.5, 15. Mediapolis 106.5, 16. Clear Creek Amana 101, 17. Algona 80.5, 18. Independence 79.5, 19. Maquoketa 79, 20. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 78, 21. Pleasant Valley 73.5, 22. Des Moines Roosevelt 67.5, 23. Columbus Junction 54, 24. Chariton 41, 25. North Fayette Valley 35.

Championship matches

106 pounds – Jaymus Wilson (Alb) dec. Cobe Siebrecht (Lis), 4-3; 113 – Drew Bennett (FD) dec. Kaden Anderlik (Crest), 10-4; 120 – Brody Teske (FD) pinned Bryce West (Sol), 5:25; 126 – Malik Johnson (CBC) dec. Drew West (Sol), 7-1; 132 – Josh Saunders (CBC) dec. Noah Fye (NH), 7-5; 138 – Triston Lara (FD) dec. Keaton Geerts (NH), 3-1; 145 – Josh Gerke (CRX) pinned Colton Vest (ST), 4:00; 152 – Cayd Lara (FD) pinned Brennan Swafford (Mep), 2:17; 160 – Ryan Gorman (NH) dec. Alex Streicher (LM), 7-4; 170 – D.J. Shannon (CBC) dec. Tanner Sloan (Alb), 5-3 SV; 182 – Preston LaGrange (CRP) major dec. Dalton Rosenberg (ST), 16-4; 195 – Brayden Schultz (LM) pinned Charlie Cadell (CBC), :44; 220 – Caleb Ring (Osa) pinned Areon Day (NH), 2:52; Hwt. – Omar Begic (WE) dec. Noah Hopp (NH), 5-4 TB1.

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