Seventh-ranked Iowa City High closes in on MVC Valley dual title

CEDAR RAPIDS — Like many teams this time of year, Iowa City High has its share of adversity.

The Little Hawks have dealt with illness and injuries while facing a challenging schedule. They have demonstrated their mettle to Coach Cory Connell.

'For the most part, they are pretty dang tough,' Connell said. 'Getting injured is never easy. I was injured a lot when I was competing. You have to know when to fight through it and when to take care of things. It's a part of all sports.'

Class 3A seventh-ranked City High overcame some of those late-season maladies to win nine matches and beat No. 14 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 43-25, Thursday night at Kennedy. The Little Hawks swept a Mississippi Valley Conference double dual, opening with a 66-16 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington.

The Little Hawks (16-2, 4-0) have made tremendous strides since Connell has returned. They are leading the MVC Valley Division and are contenders for an MVC Super Meet title after a runner-up finish last season. The goal is to have them peak for this end stretch.

'I think some people are and some aren't,' Connell said. 'Just like everybody else we're battling some sickness. It's all over the place right now.'

Heavyweight Jacob Murry provided a notable victory against the Cougars (9-5, 3-3). Murry had lost twice to Josh Vis previously. Murry scored three points in the final period for a 3-2 decision, giving the Little Hawks a 21-6 lead after five weights.

'I feel like I just got better,' Murry said. 'I learned how he wrestles, so I learned how to counter what he is trying to do and work toward my stuff.'

The pair exchanged escapes and were tied, 1-1. Murry was able to secure the decisive takedown in the final minute, holding Vis off late for the win.

'I was working a move and it was there,' Murry said. 'I just slid back and got behind him. I didn't know if I was going to get it or not. I was hoping and I did.'

Murry's win followed a pin by top-ranked 195-pounder Jacob Dykes, who bumped up to 220. The Little Hawks got on the board thanks to a forfeit at 182 and a disqualification when Kennedy's Cael Knox was penalized for an illegal slam and Joe Ring was unable to continue.

The Cougars clawed back, pulling within 24-22 with five matches left.

Top-ranked 170-pounder Ben Sarasin opened the dual with a pin. Jake McLeod (106) and Ty Pfiffner (120) added pins. Cam Shaver (126) cut the Kennedy deficit to two with seven takedowns in an 18-8 major decision over Reece Caven at 126.

City High won four of the final five bouts. Seventh-ranked Lance Bormann gutted out a 3-2 decision over No. 8 Dylan Falck. Ryan Ceyner stepped in at 138 and won by major decision. Kyle Hefley (152) and 160-pounder Wilfred Kadohou closed the dual with pins.

The Little Hawks will host Dubuque Hempstead and Dubuque Senior next Thursday. Two more wins and they will secure their first divisional dual title since 2006. The conference tournament is two days later.

'We have to win next week to win a conference dual championship,' Connell said. 'It's a big team goal that we want. Then the conference championships where we got second last year. We want to win it.'

Kennedy rebounded with a 61-12 win over Washington.

AT C.R. KENNEDY

Iowa City High 66, C.R. Washington 16

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

160 pounds — Wilfred Kadohou (ICH) won by forfeit; 170 — Brandon Lalla (ICH) won by forfeit; 182 — Joe Ring (ICH) won by forfeit; 195 — Jacob Dykes (ICH) pinned Jared Scherrman, 2:52 (1,0); 220 — Jack Bacon (ICH) won by forfeit; Hwt. — Jacob Murry (ICH) won by forfeit; 106 — Ethan Wood-Finley (ICH) won by forfeit; 113 — Garrett Bormann (ICH) won by forfeit; 120 — Aden Abram (CRW) pinned Michael Santoro, 3:47 (2,0); 126 — Reece Caven (ICH) pinned Joe Foreman, 4:31 (2,0); 132 — Will Foreman (CRW) major dec. Lance Bormann, 17-7 (7,0); 138 — Chris Karamitros (CRW) pinned Joey Harney, 4:24 (2,2); 145 — Jack Anson (ICH) won by forfeit; 152 — Kyle Hefley (ICH) pinned Hashim Herz, 1:22 (1,0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — City High 6, C.R. Washington 11. Reversals — City High 0, C.R. Washington 0. Escapes — City High 10, C.R. Washington 4. Nearfall points — City High 3, C.R. Washington 2. Penalty points (awarded) — City High 2, C.R. Washington 0. Total match points — City High 27, C.R. Washington 28.

Iowa City High 43, C.R. Kennedy 25

170 pounds — Ben Sarasin (CRK) pinned Dominic Waikel, :44 (1,0); 182 — Brandon Lalla (ICH) won by forfeit; 195 — Joe Ring won by disqualification over Cael Knox; 220 — Jacob Dykes (ICH) pinned Cam Jones, 1:40 (1,0); Hwt. — Jacob Murry (ICH) dec. Josh Vis, 3-2 (1,0); 106 — Jake McLeod (CRK) pinned Reese Hayden, 2:37 (0,1); 113 — Ethan Wood-Finley (ICH) dec. Ben Hoeger, 4-2 (2,0); 120 — Ty Pfiffner (CRK) pinned Michael Santoro, 4:42 (2,0); 126 — Cam Shaver (CRK) major dec. Reece Caven, 18-8 (7,0); 132 — Lance Bormann (ICH) dec. Dylan Falck, 3-2 (1,0); 138 — Ryan Ceynar (ICH) major dec. Nate Trotter, 10-1 (4,0); 145 — Noah Cunningham (CRK) dec. Jack Anson, 14-9 (3,2); 152 — Kyle Hefley (ICH) pinned Jay Oostendorp, 3:22 (1,0); 160 — Wilfred Kadohou (ICH) pinned Kale Crawford, 1:20 (1,1).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — City High 15, C.R. Kennedy 14. Reversals — City High 7, C.R. Kennedy 2. Escapes — City High 10, C.R. Kennedy 13. Nearfall points — City High 0, C.R. Kennedy 6. Penalty points (awarded) — City High 1, C.R. Kennedy 2. Total match points — City High 55, C.R. Kennedy 53.

C.R. Kennedy 61, C.R. Washington 12

182 pounds — Double forfeit; 195 — Cael Knox (CRK) major dec. Jared Scherrman, 15-6 (6,0); 220 — Cam Jones (CRK) won by forfeit; Hwt. — Josh Vis (CRK) won by forfeit; 106 — Jake McLeod (CRK) won by forfeit; 113 — Ben Hoeger (CRK) won by forfeit; 120 — Ty Pfiffner (CRK) pinned Aden Abram, :59 (1,0); 126 — Cam Shaver (CRK) dec. Joe Foreman, 10-5 (3,1); 132 — Will Foreman (CRK) pinned Dylan Falck, 1:45 (2,0); 138 — Chris Karamitros (CRW) pinned Nate Trotter, 2:52 (4,0); 145 — Noah Cunningham (CRK) won by forfeit; 152 — Jay Oostendorp (CRK) pinned Hashim Herz, 1:32 (1,0); 160 — Kale Crawford (CRK) won by forfeit; 170 — Ben Sarasin (CRK) won by forfeit.

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — C.R. Washington 7, C.R. Kennedy 11. Reversals — C.R. Washington 0, C.R. Kennedy 2. Escapes — C.R. Washington 11, C.R. Kennedy 2. Nearfall points — C.R. Washington 0, C.R. Kennedy 7. Penalty points (awarded) — C.R. Washington 0, C.R. Kennedy 1. Total match points — C.R. Washington 25, C.R. Kennedy 36.

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