Washburn passes the test at J-Hawk Invitational

CEDAR RAPIDS - For just starting his prep career, Alburnett's Hunter Washburn has faced plenty of tests.

The Alburnett freshman wrestler has passed them all, including the latest Saturday during the J-Hawk Invitational at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Washburn, top-ranked in Class 1A, remained unbeaten, winning the 106-pound title. He earned a 3-0 win over West Delaware's Pat Woods, ranked fifth in 2A, for the second time this season.

“We haven't been to a tournament where he hasn't wrestled somebody ranked or somebody tougher than nails,” Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson said. “Today really showed how tough he is, because that bracket was loaded.”

Washburn improved to 25-0 and was selected Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament, which is voted by the coaches. He conquered the bracket that didn't have a wrestler with a losing record.

Washburn talks about being named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

He advanced to the finals with a pin and decision. In the finals, he rode Woods the entire second period before scoring and an escape and then emphasizing the win with a takedown in the final seconds.

“Our coaches always preach push, push push, and that's what I was trying to do,” Washburn said. “Never take a break.”

Washburn thrives on being challenged. He considers it strong preparation for contending for a state title.

“I definitely want good matches so I'm ready for the state tournament,” Washburn said. “You have to wrestle every match the same. It doesn't matter who your opponent is. Just go out and handle him.”

Washburn was one of three champions for the Pirates, who had six finalists.

Two-time state champion Tyler Shulista pinned his way to the 126-pound crown and Grant Henderson claimed gold at 145.

Henderson posted a gutsy performance, earning two one-point wins. He rode Fort Madison's Brady Petry for an entire period, scoring a quick escape in the third and 1-0 win. He advanced with a 7-6 win over the Hawks' Brent Reilly.

“He has a lot of those close matches,” Thompson said. “I like that he's learning how to win those but I'd like to see him open up a little bit more.”

The Pirates, ranked sixth in 1A, finished second to 2A second-ranked West Delaware for the team title. Thompson said he hoped for all 12 of his wrestlers to come away with a win Saturday. Being down two wrestlers, they needed every point against a strong and balanced West Delaware lineup.

“We talked about having 12 guys score points. We didn't quite get that,” Thompson said. “When you have 10 guys score points and West Delaware has 14 you're not going to win that battle.

“Overall, we did pretty good. I'd just like to see every guy know they can win a match and score team points.”

The Hawks crowned five champs and tallied 280, winning by 89 points.

After struggling late in a tournament last week, West Delaware stressed strength at the end of the day. The Hawks went 11-3 in the final round, placing all 14 wrestlers in the top five.

“That was our focus,” West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss said. “Our goal was to get at least four champs, 10 in the top four and win all of our consolation matches. We achieved all those things and winning the team title will take care of itself.”

Zach Less ignited the Hawks in the final round with a pin over Jefferson's P.J. Rashed at 113. Less, a state runner-up last year, gave up an early takedown, but scored a reversal before cinching up a cradle for the fall. Once he locked it up, he patiently positioned himself to flatten his opponent.

“I look for the cradle quite a bit. It was just there and I took it,” Less said. "I just kept telling myself to stay calm and not get too anxious so I wouldn't lose the cradle. I ended up sticking him.”

He advanced to the finals with a major decision and a decision, but wanted a pin to cap his performance.

“To wrap up the whole day I needed a fall,” Less said. “I finally got one at the end.”

Jake Voss (152), Adam Reth (195) and heavyweight Dean Broghammer also scored pins in the finals, and Sam Lahr won the 170-pound title for West Delaware. For the second straight week Broghammer pinned a 3A ranked opponent for a tournament title. He pinned Johnston's third-ranked Jake Scanlan in 4:43.

“Dean just doesn't care who he wrestles,” Voss said. “He goes out and wrestles hard. Whether they're ranked or not, he gets it going out there and by the third period he's got a lot left and the other guys don't.”

Watch the first-period fall by Voss in the championship bout.

The host J-Hawks finished sixth with 99 1/2 points. Rashed led the way with his second-place finish. Shavez Butler (160) was third and Michael Moncivais (126), Kelly May (145) and 220-pounder Drake Allen all placed fourth for Jefferson, which had eight placewinners.

Teams - 1. West Delaware 280, 2. Alburnett 191, 3. Fort Madison 169, 4. Johnston 114, 5. Fort Dodge 110, 6. C.R. Jefferson 99.5, 7. Boone 87.5, 8. Marshalltown 85.5, 9. Dubuque Hempstead 65, 10. Oskaloosa 63, 11. Benton Community 49, 12. Waterloo East 25.

106 pounds - Hunter Washburn (A) dec. Pat Woods (WD), 3-0; 113 - Zach Less (WD) pinned P.J. Rashed (CRJ), 1:16; 120 - Colten Phillips (M) dec. Christian Dunn (FM), 5-3 (OT); 126 - Tyler Shulista (A) pinned Alex Clark (B), 1:55; 132 - Clayton Hocker (FM) dec. Colton Martin (A), 5-2; 138 - Dakota Gray (FM) pinned Zach Muller (WD), :40; 145 - Grant Henderson (A) dec. Brady Petry (FM), 1-0; 152 - Jake Voss (WD) pinned Zach Hoyle (A), :26; 160 - Duke Egli (FD) major dec. Dylan Windfield (A), 12-0; 170 - Sam Lahr (WD) dec. David Hughes (M), 3-1; 182 - Layton Fritsch (DH) dec. Jacyn Goebel (WD), 6-2; 195 - Adam Reth (WD) pinned Dane Jones (O), 5:16; 220 - Joe Scanlan (John) dec. Ben Schnurr (FD), 5-0; 285 - Dean Broghammer (WD) pinned Jake Scanlan (John), 4:43.

Outstanding Wrestler - Washburn (Alburnett)

Gorrian Award (Most falls in shortest amount of time) - Nolan Zumbach (West Delaware), four falls in 2:46.

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