Hard knocks paying dividends

The Williamsburg wrestling team has been impressive this season, but it didn't happen over night.Many Raiders took their lumps as underclassmen in getting to this point. Williamsburg is fourth in The Predicament's Class 2A tournament rankings and, with a 17-2 dual record, is rated fifth by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.“It's really paid off for them,” Williamsburg Coach Grant Eckenrod said. “We had some pretty high expectations this season. We knew we had a lot of experience coming back.”Some coaches would restrict wrestlers to junior varsity competition, hoping they gain confidence and progress. Eckenrod pushed them right out into varsity competition, and their resolve has produced battle-tested fighters.“You find the best competition you can. You get them as many matches and mat time as you can and that's how you're going to get better,” Eckenrod said. “The kids who got beat up two years ago ... it's their turn to get a little payback.”Twelve starters have winning records and 11 own at least 20 victories. Five are ranked. Two-time state champion and three-time finalist Austin Blythe (28-1) leads the way as the top-ranked heavyweight.“This team has the potential to be the best team we've ever had,” Eckenrod said. “We have some work to do yet, but we'll see how things shake out in the end.”

Honoring ShafferMarion's annual varsity tournament has a new name to honor the man who served as the cornerstone for the school's wrestling program. Saturday marked the first Loyd Shaffer Marion Invitational, honoring the longtime Indians wrestling coach who died in 2009 at age 66."It was natural to honor him in this way,” Marion Coach Bruce Weisinger said.

West's 100 clubReaching 100 career victories has long been a milestone for high school wrestlers. Iowa City West has four wrestlers in its lineup who have surpassed that plateau this season, two who reached it last year and one on the way.Jack Hathaway reached 100 in December, and Grady Gambrall made it Jan. 6. Two days later, Justin Koethe and Dakota Bauer reached 100 career wins. All are juniors.Seniors Elijah Sullivan and Britt Thompson eclipsed the mark last year. Senior Garrett Hathaway has 87 wins.