Shulista goes out on top

DES MOINES – There wasn't a more fitting end to Tyler Shulista's career.

From the fall that sealed the Alburnett senior's third straight title to the celebratory leap into the arms of his dad, Pirates assistant Brett Shulista, it seemed indicative to his state tournament career.

Shulista pinned Kyle White of Central Springs for the 126-pound championship of the Iowa High School Athletic Association State wrestling tournament Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. He became the second three-time state champion in school history and the 77th in state history.

“I don't want to spend much time out there or any longer than I have to,” Shulista said. “It was amazing. I won my third title and pinned my last kid in my high school career … it can't get much better.”

Shulista's state performances couldn't get much better. He scored three pins and a major decision as a sophomore and pinned his way through the tournament last year. Shulista capped a 49-1 season with a a fall in 1:22, which was his third of the tournament.

“A pin is a pin,” said Shulista, who was looking for bonus points for his team as well. “I was going to go out there and pin everybody.”

After jumping into the arms of Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson, and giving his coach a cracked tooth and swollen lip the last two years, Brett Shulista shared the final championship moment with him.

“I thought I was going to knock him over at first,” Shulista said. “He was able to hold me up.

“He's been in my corner since my very first match. It was emotional for him and emotional for me. A father like that you can't ask for much more.”

Pirates will miss his wins and the leadership that helped lead them to three straight team trophies. Alburnett scored 79 points and their third straight third-place team finish. Don Bosco won its 10th team title, tallying 95.5 points and beating Nashua-Plainfield by 5.5.

“I don't know what to say, because he just means a lot,” said Thompson, who seemed to fight back emotion. “It's starting to sink in that he's done. I know I get more good kids, but he's done everything right.”

For the third straight year, Shulista had golden company. He won his first two titles along side fellow three-time Alburnett state champion Christopher Halblom. This time, freshman Hunter Washburn was the other half of the championship duo.

Washburn dominated Nashua-Plainfield's Blake Dietz, 11-2, for the 106-pound crown.

“It's the best feeling in the world,” said Washburn (48-0).

Washburn scored early and often, producing a takedown and two nearfall points for a 4-0 lead after the first. He wasn't satisfied with coasting, taking Dietz down to his back for a five-point move in the third.

“Coaches said you can't let up,” Washburn said. “We knew he was kind of a thrower and had to keep scoring and score as many points as possible.”

Washburn has looked up to Shulista and will miss him in the practice room.

“He's a good role model,” Washburn said. “I love him like a brother.”

The Pirates had four medalists, including Grant Henderson (145) and Dylan Windfield (160).

North Linn's Logan Mulnix has written his name into the Lynx wrestling record books, scripting the last chapter Saturday night. The 138-pound senior completed his quest to return to the top of the awards stand, handling Manson-NW Webster's Payton Rice, 7-1.

“Winning matches any time is good,” Mulnix said. “To finish your high school career back on top with a state title feels great.”

Mulnix (45-0) became the Lynx second multi-year state champ and four-time placewinner, joining four-time state champion Dan LeClere. He suffered a loss in the finals last year, but the year flew by as he was focused on his third trip to the finals.

He controlled the entire mats, and has been determined to score as much as possible in dominating every foe.

“I was not as much happy as I was relieved,” Mulnix said. “I went out to handle my business like all year and tried to score more and more points.”

North Linn's Brendan Schott gave the Lynx two champions in the same year for the second time in school history and first since LeClere and Kyle Burkle did it in 2002.

Schott finished his season 46-0 with a 9-3 decision over Brett Roberts of Eddyville-Blakesburg. It was his second win over Roberts this season.

“I knew what he likes,” Schott said. “I went out and wrestled my match. I made it my match.”

Schott said the feeling after his victory was amazing, but enjoyed having another Lynx wrestler in the finals and teammates John Pint (152) and Zach Welter (113) place. They powered North Linn to fourth place and 72.5 points.

“I love being able to do this with my teammates,” Schott said. “It feels great to do it with my friends.”

West Branch achieved a first advancing three wrestlers into the finals. Then junior Cade Jones made sure to double the Bears state title total.

Jones, who placed fourth a year ago, tossed Clarksville's Caleb Ciavarelli to his back and getting the pin in 2:17. He became the Bears second state champion in history, joining 2009 heavyweight champ Kyle Kober.

“I kind of sucked him back a little,” Jones said. “I got an arm up, I caught him and I had him in a cowcatcher and I put the legs in on a Saturday-night ride and pinned him.

Jones (43-6) burst with emotion once with referee slapped the mat. He raised his arms and yelled before a point to family and West Branch fans and then jumped into each coaches' arms.

“I have never been (that excited),” said Jones, a football standout at running back for West Branch which was a state semifinalist in the fall. “That was the most exciting thing that has happened in my life.”

Jake Slocum (145) and 220-pounder Derrick Miller earned runner-up finishes for West Branch, which placed fifth with 66 points. It was the program's first top-10 finish.

South Winneshiek's Nick Schmelzer (38-3) also notched his school second crown, preventing the Bears another title. Schmelzer secured the victory with a late takedown and beat Miller, 6-3, at 220.

Lisbon had two runners-up in Kolbi Kohl (132) and Tait Simpson at 152. Kohl (31-5) lost to Martensdale-St. Mary's David Walker, 13-3. Tri-Center's Loren Williams earned a 5-3 win over Simpson (30-1).