Western Dubuque’s Greyson Gardner looks to continue dominance into postseason

Western Dubuque’s Greyson Gardner sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

As his senior wrestling season begins the postseason and the close rapidly approaches, he is determined to post a bright finish. Reap the rewards of his efforts during his high school career.

“I’ve put in the work all four years, going offseason and working hard,” Gardner said. “Now, it’s finally time to show out and compete. I’ve really needed to get down to business and get those wins I haven’t the last couple seasons.”

Gardner has been dominant this season and will attempt to earn his second straight trip to state at the Class 3A district tournament Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. All three classes will compete in qualifying meets across the state.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Washington, Clear Creek Amana, 10th-ranked Iowa City West, No. 5 Linn-Mar and Marion join the Jefferson field. The top two individuals at each weight advance to the traditional state tournament Feb. 17-19 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Gardner has climbed to second in the IAwrestle 3A 182-pound rankings. He is 38-1 this season with 34 pins and a technical fall.

“He’s dominated pretty much everyone he has wrestled,” Western Dubuque Coach Paul Cleary said. “He’s almost scored bonus points on everybody. He scores a lot of points in practice. He’s one of those guys we need to have coaches with, for sure.”

Most high school wrestlers haven’t been able to go with him for a full six-minute match. Only one bout has last the duration, which was a 10-5 decision over Kennedy’s No. 6 Alex Koch in the finals of the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet. Interestingly, that match was also at Jefferson.

Twenty-six of his matches have ended by first-period fall. Only five have even reached the third period. Gardner credits the devotion to offseason wrestling, competing in freestyle at Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D.

“I’m getting more comfortable in positions where people are uncomfortable and knowing what to do to get them on their backs quick,” Gardner said. “Definitely, my strongest part is scrambling. I’ve been a lot more mat aware this season, because of all the freestyle work.”

Gardner was a state qualifier last season with a 22-8 record, but did not place. He said he didn’t have the right mindset and the sting from that finish fueled him during the offseason. It provided a drive to make gains.

“He’s jumped levels, tremendously, from last year,” Cleary said. “He’s gone from being a contender from last year to someone who dominates matches.

“He’s the guy that no one wants to wrestle. I don’t think anyone wants to wrestle him because he’s so dangerous. He’s a dangerous draw for anyone and I’d be scared of him, if I was another high school kid.”

Gardner, one of 21 ranked wrestlers at the Jefferson district, has his sights set on the top of the state podium. He has the skill and confidence to do it. The time has come to execute when it matters most.

“This is my final chance,” Gardner said. “This is my time to shine. I’ve got to get out there and wrestle the way I know how to wrestle.”

Iowa City High will host another 3A district, including Iowa City Liberty, fourth-ranked Bettendorf, Burlington, Fort Madison, Newton, Ottumwa and Pleasant Valley. The tournament features 23 ranked wrestlers and at least one at each weight. At 126, Bettendorf’s No. 3 Jayce Luna, No. 6 Kael Kurtz and No. 9 Duncan Harn will compete for two state berths. There are three ranked at 182 as well, including Liberty’s No. 12 Vinny Lima. Four ranked wrestlers are expected at 152.

“Our district is tough,” City High Coach Cory Connell said. “We had four teams make regional duals and all teams are solid. … Our district is one of the toughest in the state, for sure.”

Cedar Rapids Prairie and Cedar Rapids Xavier will head to the 3A district in Marshalltown. Top-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock and its 13 ranked wrestlers lead the way there.