Battle-tested Lisbon ready for chance to claim 8th straight state duals appearance

LISBON — Regular-season tests have equaled postseason triumphs.

Lisbon has used that formula to remain an annual Class 1A power.

“We wrestle a lot of 2A and 3A competition, which helps us at the end of the year when we wrestle 1A teams,” Lisbon Hall of Fame Coach Brad Smith said. “It helps our confidence, knowing we’ve competed against some of the best.

“When we’re down to our class, we feel we can excel there.”

Hard to argue with the second-ranked Lions’ results.

Lisbon will host 1A regional duals Tuesday night, facing the winner between No. 17 Dyersville Beckman and No. 18 New London for a shot at its eighth straight state duals appearance and 16th overall.

“Our kids are ready to go,” Smith said. “We’re healthy.”

The Lions (15-1) won their fifth consecutive Tri-Rivers Conference title and won their sectional with seven champions, advancing 11 to district.

With duals against regional dual qualifiers like Davenport Assumption and Mount Vernon in 2A and top-ranked 1A rival Don Bosco and multi-class tournaments, Smith likes to present those challenges. Many times wrestlers or teams have flashier records but the Lions are more seasoned.

“Our records are deceiving because of the competitors we wrestle,” Smith said. “We aren’t worried about wrestling guys with better records. We know we can compete with them and beat those kind of kids.”

The duals also help the Lions reload each year. They will weigh in more than 20 wrestlers in the postseason, providing valuable exposure when they get their shot.

“We’re looking forward to going to state duals again,” Smith said. “The kids are excited because the whole team gets to weigh in and be a part of it. It’s a neat deal for everybody.”

The Lions have finished fourth or better at state duals in each of the last six seasons. They were second last year and won it all in 2020.

Lisbon will look to close out the home careers of a talented group of seniors, including third-ranked Quincy Happel (126), state champion Cade Siebrecht (138), top-ranked 170-pounder Max Kohl, Lincoln Holub and Jamien Moore. Smith estimated they have combined for more than 650 victories, including more than 150 apiece from Happel and Siebrecht.

The class hasn’t known a season without a state duals berth.

“They’re going to be tough to replace,” Smith said. “They’ll be excited. It will be their last time to perform in the Lisbon gym. It’s special to them, too.”