English Valleys’ Zach Axmear ready to work toward state title

DES MOINES — Many would be satisfied with what Zach Axmear has already accomplished.

The one who is not, however, is the English Valleys junior. Unbeaten and No. 1 won't be the same, unless it holds true Saturday night.

'It's a good opportunity,' Axmear said. 'I'm excited, but business isn't taken care of, yet.

'Being ranked No. 1 right now is neat but it means nothing. There still is work to be done.'

Axmear's work begins in his third trip to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A state wrestling tournament Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. He opens with Panorama's Gunnar Gunsted (23-9) at 152 pounds.

Axmear finished third last season, getting fifth as a freshman. He has reached the semifinal round, but has not advanced to the final. He has been driven by those past results.

'Not getting to the top is pushing me,' said Axmear, who lost to Alburnett state champion Bryce Paul by just one point in last year's semifinal. 'That is where I want to be and I've fallen short. I've got to get there.'

A big boost came when he dropped Alburnett state finalist and previously top-ranked Conner Shulista in the regular season. Just like rankings and records, he's not putting much stock into it, taking it as a learning experience.

'It was a good win for me,' Axmear said. 'It gave me a lot of confidence. It showed me what I need to work on.'

His body of work is already impressive, owning two state medals and a school record for career victories. He is 49-0 with a 151-7 mark so far. Axmear hasn't rested on those feats, becoming more of a well-rounded competitor.

'I think I've gotten better at every aspect of wrestling,' Axmear said. 'Mentally, physically and technically I think I have improved since last year.'

LEMBECK GOES FOR THIRD MEDAL

Cedar Rapids Xavier's Clint Lembeck has the opportunity to become the first Saints wrestler to win three state medals at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Fourth-ranked Lembeck faces West Des Moines Valley's Noah Carr (38-12) in the first round at 138 pounds.

'It's pretty special,' said Lembeck, noting he would like to make an impact like Xavier two-time state champion Mike Shedek. 'It'd be pretty cool to know you're leaving that legacy behind.'

Xavier Coach Ryan Chambers said he has been an asset to the program the last four seasons.

'Clint is a true example of an athlete that any coach would want as a part of their team,' Chambers said. 'He's a quiet leader, leading by example. He brings creativity into the room. He's a true mentor to the other kids.'

Last year, Lembeck made an amazing run to a third-place finish, outscoring foes 62-5 in five consolation matches. It was the two-point first-round loss to Bettendorf runner-up Paul Glynn that has made a big impact on the four-time state qualifier.

'I have to take the experience in my first match from last year and not let it happen again,' said Lembeck, who was fourth as a sophomore and has a 163-21 career record. 'I'm not going to take a back seat. This is my last year. The main thing is to leave it all out on the mat.'

Chambers said Lembeck learned from a loss to Iowa City West's third-ranked Nelson Brands in the finals of the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet in January. He needed to be more mentally prepared and has increased his intensity in practice and competition.

'I think he's ready,' Chambers said. 'He's been preparing for this for four years. I think this is his time.'

UNBEATEN WRESTLERS

Thirty-five wrestlers qualified for the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournaments at Wells Fargo Arena with perfect records. Twelve of them are Gazette area wrestlers.

Lisbon's three-time state champion Carter Happel (145) was 48-0, while Center Point-Urbana 126-pounder Brock Rathbun is 44-0. Happel is looking to become the state's 25th four-time state champion. Rathbun is one of four wrestlers attempting to join 80 three-time winners and become the 53rd four-time finalist.

Highland and North Linn both have two undefeated wrestlers. Drew and Bryce West are 49-0 at 120 and 51-0 and 126, respectively, and both searching for their second state crown for the Huskies.

The Lynx are led by junior 113-pounder Brock Henderson (43-0) and heavyweight Kyler Schott (43-0). Iowa City Regina's top-ranked heavyweight Jared Brinkman is 38-0.

English Valleys''s Zach Axmear is 49-0 at 152.

West Liberty's Bryce Esmoil (195) is 45-0 and North Fayette Valley's Nick Baumler (182) is 38-0.

In Class 3A, Cedar Rapids Prairie's top-ranked Sam Uthoff was 38-0 at 132. He is attempting to win his fourth state medal. Western Dubuque state finalist Max Lyon is 47-0 at 182.

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