Owen Huehnergarth switches seasons, maintains success for Dyersville Beckman

TROY MILLS – Owen Huehnergarth is a jack of all trades and he’s pretty good at mastering them, too.

The Dyersville Beckman senior is an all-state baseball player, committing to continue his career at Southeastern Community College. He also earned all-state honors as a running back in football. Huehnergarth is a pretty good wrestler, too, placing fifth at state last season.

Golf and soccer might be a possibility in the spring.

“It certainly does,” Huehnergarth said about his competitive nature transferring from one season to the next. “I think all kids should play four sports. It’s their nature. I think everyone can be as dominant in every sport as they should. I don’t think anyone should keep to one sport.

“I like to mix it up a little bit. I’ve excelled quite a bit in sports. I’m very thankful for that and those assets.”

Huehnergarth’s focus is fixed on the wrestling mat for now. He pinned his way to the 195-pound title and helped the Blazers to the team title at the Lynx Invitational Saturday at North Linn High School. Huehnergarth is 10-2 this season and ranked fourth in Class 1A.

“He looked great today,” Beckman Coach Steve Lueck said. “He looked very comfortable. He’s starting to gain confidence.”

Huehnergarth decked Wapello’s Caleb Ealey in 2:50 of the finals, building a 12-0 lead before the fall. He scored a takedown and followed with seven nearfall points on three turns by the end of the first. Huehnergarth led his semifinal opponent, 12-3, and ended it in 2:55.

“We have a long break, so I just gave it my all on the mat,” Huehnergarth said. “I succeeded.”

The conclusion of last season was a steppingstone. Huhnergarth said he entered the state tournament without a lot of expectations. He reached the podium and now he has his sights set on wrestling on Saturday night in Des Moines.

“This year, I know what I’m capable of,” Huehnergarth said. “I think I want to be a state finalist this year.”

Lueck has seen Huhnergarth take steps toward his goal. He appreciates the work ethic and leadership Huehnergarth brings to the team.

“He’s wanting to improve on that this year,” Lueck said. “He’s put in the work. I’m very happy for his title and we have a long way to go.”

Huehnergarth was one of four Beckman wrestlers in the finals. He was joined on top of the awards stand by Conner Grover at 160. Grover broke open a two-point match in the third with a takedown and pin over North Linn’s Jarin Peyton in 5:41. Nick Schmidt (126) and heavyweight Jason Koopmann placed second.

The Blazers have struggled with numbers. They have 14 on the current roster and just nine wrestled at North Linn. It was enough to score 147 points, topping runner-up Cedar Rapids Washington by 10.

“It’s a good end to the first half of the season, going into break with a tournament title and a couple champs,” Lueck said. “The kids are heading in the right direction.”

The Warriors had two finalists and crowned a champion in 3A fourth-ranked heavyweight Tate Sykora-Matthess. He remained unbeaten this season, improving to 10-0. He pinned his way through the bracket, tallying three total and stopped Koopman in 4:40 of the finals.

“He’s staying in good position all the time and not taking too many risks,” Washington Coach J.P. Graham said. “He’s been trying to be more aggressive on his feet. … He’s pretty solid on the mat.”

Washington placed 10 wrestlers in the top five of their weights with five third or better. The Warriors have improved numbers and results. Brennan Geers was runner-up at 106 for the Warriors.

“Overall, we did a pretty good job,” Graham said. “They’re coming together as a team. They’re starting to understand how wrestling as a team in a tournament works. Just all the little facets to it and we haven’t had that in year’s past. Now, they understand and how to put them in position to almost win.”

One of the more exciting finals came at 152. Maquoketa Valley’s Michael Schaul pinned Belle Plaine’s 11th-ranked Ethan Hamilton for the championship. The finish was a little more special for Schaul.

“This is amazing,” Schaul said. “This is actually my first tournament that I’ve won. I was pretty hyped for that. That kid was a tough opponent.”

Hamilton scored the first takedown, but Schaul tied it with a reversal right before the end of the first. Schaul escaped and added a takedown in the second. Hamilton stormed back within a point and scored a takedown for the lead, but Schaul was able to roll through, getting a fall in 5:57.

“Honestly, I can’t even remember,” Schaul said about the final flurry. “It was pretty much a blur.”

Schaul’s teammate Brady Davis won the 220-pound crown. He wrestled four matches that last a combined 2:35, ending each by fall in the first period. His longest match lasted 59 seconds.

Center Point-Urbana received titles from Cael Steinkamp (106), Ryan Barth (145) and 182-pounder Collin Hoskins. Steinkamp and Hoskins each posted first-period pins in the finals. Blake Berninghaus was second at 113 for the Stormin’ Pointers.

North Linn’s Landen Paul went 4-0 with four pins and claimed the 170 title. North Fayette Valley’s Nick Koch (126) improved to 11-3 this season, using a first-period takedown for a 2-1 win over Schmidt.

NORTH LINN LYNX INVITATIONAL

At Troy Mills

Teams – 1. Dyersville Beckman 147, 2. C.R. Washington 137, 3. Woodbury Central 135.5, 4. Center Point-Urbana 117.5, 5. Dubuque Senior 114, 6. Maquoketa Valley 97, 7. Belle Plaine 92, 8. Wapello 80.5, 9. North Linn 63, 10. North Fayette Valley 54.5, 11. C.R. Prairie JV 29, 12. West Fork 25, 13. Linn-Mar JV 24.

Championship matches

106 pounds – Cael Steinkamp (CPU) pinned Brennan Geers (CRW), 1:46; 113 – Alex Kirman (DS) major dec. Blake Berninghaus (CPU), 11-0; 120 (Round robin) – 1. Brand Beaver (WC), 2. Hunter Kegley (CRP); 126 – Nick Koch (NFV) dec. Nick Schmidt (DB), 2-1; 132 – Ryder Koele (WC) dec. Blaine Baumgartner (NL), 9-4; 138 – Seth Connolly (DS) dec. Ethan Argo (BP), 5-2; 145 (round robin) – 1. Ryan Barth (CPU), 2. Tristen Jessen (WC); 152 – Michael Schaul (MV) pinned Ethan Hamilton (BP), 5:57; 160 – Conner Grover (DB) pinned Jarin Peyton (NL), 5:41; 170 (round robin) – 1. Landon Paul (NL), 2. Blasé Sanford (WC); 182 – Collin Hoskins (CPU) pinned Chase Wickwire (BP), 1:13; 195 – Owen Huehnergarth (DB) pinned Caleb Ealey (Wap), 2:50; 220 (round robin) – 1. Brady Davis (MV), 2. Ethan Manders (DS); Hwt. – Tate Sykora-Matthess (CRW) pinned Jason Koopman (DB), 4:40.