Williams gets revenge, Lisbon gets sectional crown

LISBON - Avenge and advance.Lisbon's Nick Williams did both and enjoyed some redemption.Williams recorded a 5-1 victory over English Valley's fourth-ranked Sheldon Ealy, claiming the 120-pound title at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A sectional Saturday at Lisbon. He was one of three Lisbon champions, powering the Lions to the team title and a regional dual berth.The Lisbon sophomore had not beaten Ealy in two previous matches. Ealy seemed to have his number, beating Williams at last year's district meet to keep him from state. Earlier this season, Ealy pinned Williams."I wanted to get it," seventh-ranked Williams said. "I wanted a good district draw and avenge that loss."The win demanded more than six minutes on the mat. Williams spent time on his past error against Ealy and he was prepared for the rematch."I went over video all week with coaches," Williams said. "I had a good feeling about it."Williams opened with a takedown and delivered an important blow, catching Ealy's head in a scramble to put him on his back for two nearfall. The move was a blur afterward, but at the time Williams said he knew he had to capitalize."It all went fast," Williams said. "I got him on his back and wanted to hold him there as long as I could."Lisbon Coach Brad Smith said the win ripped the monkey off Williams' back. The first win against an opponent is key for Williams."Once he beats someone it's tough to get back at him," Smith said. "It's a confidence thing for Nick. It's a good win for him."Williams (41-5) took the win in stride. He still has to conquer a tougher district field, including Ealy again. He is focused on a state championship and this is sending him on his way."It was just another match," Williams said. "One step closer to Des Moines."Lisbon sophomore Carter Happel already has a state title, winning at 120 last year. He started his postseason journey for his second. He was dominant, pinning his way through the 132 bracket. He stuck Midland's Cale Roelofsen in 1:51 in the final.Happel (45-0) holds the school record for wins in a season and tied former Lions Chad Williams (1988-89) and J.J. Butteris (1999-2000) with his 33rd pin of the year.He doesn't feel any pressure to repeat."(The title) gives me confidence going into district. I know I'm wrestling well," Happel said. "I focus on what I have to do to get it done."Seventh-ranked Matt Montgomery (38-6) took the 182 crown, beating North Cedar's Clayton Juhl, 12-8, in the finals. Lisbon advanced seven to next week's district tournament, tallying 218 points. West Branch was second with 184 1/2. Smith said he wanted more champions and district qualifiers, but the field was strong."We had some highs and lows, but overall we wrestled pretty tough," Smith said. "We have to keep working and getting ready for next week."Lisbon had the most advance but it was West Branch with the most champions. All five Bears that advanced won titles Saturday."I'm happy with the five kids that won," West Branch Coach Jason Feuerbach said. "I felt we left a few out there. I thought we could have had a few more advance."Third-ranked Casey Pence wasted little time, punching his ticket to the district meet. Her pinned Lone Tree's Keaton Kane in 31 seconds for the 160-pound title. He pinned all three foes."I did well," Pence said. "There's always room for improvement. I have to keep working hard."Pence (29-0) placed sixth last year at the state tournament. He has been determined all season to improve that finish, striving for nothing less than state gold."Every time I step on the mat I think about it," Pence said. "The goal in practice is to keep getting better and get to state."West Branch received titles from Carter Carew (126), Tyler Donovan (152), Justin Roth (170) and 220-pounder Drew Finnegan. Donovan (36-6) and Finnegan (23-3) scored falls in the championship bouts.Roth (31-10) battled Lisbon's Jordan Woodward in one of the most exciting and competitive matches of the tournament. Roth scored an escape and takedown in the first 30-second tiebreaker in overtime for a 5-4 win in the finals."He has been in five or six overtime matches," said Feuerbach, adding he thought Roth won each of them. "As a coach, we think it shouldn't be that close. He finds a way to finish the close ones."Highland had three champions, including top-ranked twin brothers, Drew and Bryce West. Drew West improve to 44-0 with a 15-5 major decision over Iowa City Regina's No. 10 T.J. Schott for the 106 title. Bryce West (41-1) posted a 19-5 major decision over English Valley's Blake Ealy in the 113 championship."I'm proud of how we did," Bryce West said. "We just want to keep going."The freshman duo want to go all the way to the top and have specific goals. Not only do they want to be want to join the select group of twins to win in the same year, but they want to do it again, again and again."We're both trying to be the first (twin brother) four-timers," Bryce West said. "We think we can do it."Highland's third-ranked Travis Cole (42-2) used a first-period fall for the 138 title. The Huskies moved five to district competition.English Valleys crowned two champions. Second-seeded Zach Axmear (44-4) recorded a pin the finals at 145, while Brennen Grimm (35-7) captured the 182 championship.Lone Tree heavyweight Cody Icenogle (33-5) closed the day with consecutive falls to earn a sectional title.

CLASS 1A SECTIONAL

At Lisbon

Teams (qualifiers in parentheses) - 1. *Lisbon 218 (7), 2. *West Branch 184 1/2 (5), 3. English Valleys 149 (4), 4. Highland 124 (5), 5. Iowa City Regina 108 (3), 6. Lone Tree 104 (2), 7. Midland 95, 8. North Cedar 72 (2).

District qualifiers

106 pounds - 1. Drew West (H), 2. T.J. Schott (ICR);

113 - 1. Bryce West (H), 2. Blake Ealy (EV);

120 - 1. Nick Williams (Lis), 2. Sheldon Ealy (EV);

126 - 1. Carter Carew (WB), 2. Chase McLaughlin (Lis);

132 - 1. Carter Happel (Lis), 2. Kyle Frank (H);

138 - 1. Travis Cole (H), 2. Colten Smith (Lis);

145 - 1. Zach Axmear (EV), 2. Casey Beaver (ICR);

152 - 1. Tyler Donovan (WB), 2. Zach Kleopfer (H);

160 - 1. Casey Pence (WB), 2. Keaton Kane (LT);

170 - 1. Justin Roth (WB), 2. Jordan Woodward (Lis);

182 - 1. Brennen Grimm (EV), 2. Adam Poduska (NC);

195 - 1. Matt Montgomery (Lis), 2. Clayton Juhl (NC);

220 - 1. Drew Finnegan (WB), 2. Jared Brinkman (ICR);

285 - 1. Cody Icenogle (LT), 2. Dakota Alger (Lis).* - Teams qualified for 1A regional duals Tuesday.