Alburnett’s Preston Klostermann is no longer only a runner-up at Cliff Keen Independence Invitational

INDEPENDENCE — Alburnett’s Preston Klostermann was sick of silver.

Each of his first two seasons, he was forced to settle for second the opening weekend of the season. Not this time.

Klostermann tallied four pins in the two-day competition, including a third-period fall over Clear Creek Amana’s Ryker Jones, to claim the 144-pound title Saturday at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational. Klosterman was one of four Pirates finalists and Alburnett captured the team crown with 320 points.

“The past few years I’ve gotten second,” Klostermann said. “That’s always been on my mind when I come to this tournament. Getting back there (to the finals) and actually winning this year means a lot.”

The championship bout had some added meaning as well. Jones pinned Klostermann in a dual Tuesday to start the season. He was able to avenge that loss, building a 9-2 lead and getting the fall in 5:09.

Klostermann said he was confident he could reverse the result and perform dominantly.

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Photos: 2023 Cliff Keen Independence Invitational

“I told myself (and) I told my coaches and teammates I’m getting that match back (Tuesday)” Klostermann said. “I’m glad I did.”

Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said Klostermann learned from that first meeting. He went to work in practice and applied it to competition.

“Preston was really coachable,” Rush said. “He made a couple of little tweaks. From Tuesday to (Friday) and (Friday) to (Saturday), it made him a better wrestler in the moment.”

The two-time state medalist scored at least one takedown in each period with two in the second. Klostermann said he exhibited more patience and wasn’t as jittery forcing his offense, like in the past. He relied on his strengths and it paid dividends.

“That’s my best position,” Klostermann said about wrestling on his feet. “That’s what I work on most in practice. It’s just creating angles and setting your stuff up to get that shot.”

Denver’s Boden White almost prevented Klostermann’s third finals appearance here. Klostermann had to score a reversal in the waning seconds of regulation to force sudden victory. He persevered with a takedown and four nearfall to win 9-5 and advance.

“He got over some mental hurdles this weekend,” Rush said. “It’s awesome for him.”

Alburnett led the tournament with four finalists. Atlee Dewitt (106), Rowdy Neighbor (126) and 150-pounder Dawson Becker were runners-up. The Pirates beat runner-up Carlisle by 38 points.

“We talked a lot this week about wrestling with an edge,” Rush said. “It’s an intensity level. Everyone’s edge is going to look a little different, depending on who you are. Personalities are a little different. Nonetheless, it’s an edge.

“The edge is more than just wrestling. It’s living life.”

Prairie’s Dylan Munson wins with last-second reversal

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Cedar Rapids Prairie’s top-ranked Dylan Munson returned to the finals for the second straight season. He also grabbed gold, beating Dewitt, 7-5, in the 106 championship match.

“I’m happy for the win,” Munson said. “I think I should have done better.”

Munson beat Dewitt, 3-1, on Tuesday. This one ended a little different. Munson had takedowns in the first two periods and led 5-3 when he was in on one last attack. As he went to alter his position and shelf the leg, Dewitt kicked and spun around for the tying takedown with about five seconds left. Munson continued to wrestle and scored the decisive reversal with one second remaining.

“I just thought I had to give everything right here,” Munson said. “I went for his head and went around the hip and wanted to drive him to his back. I got the two out of it. It worked out well.”

Munson was seventh at state last season. He is 8-0 this season with state title aspirations. Munson knows he has a target on his back and is prepared to face his opponents’ best efforts each match.

“I’m looking to be a state champ,” Munson said. “I’m putting everything into it. All the effort I have is to win it this year.

“It’s great motivation. When people are looking for an upset, it pumps me up.”

Union’s Jace Hedeman is tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler

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Union Community had three finalists and joined Osage and Fennimore (Wis.) with a tournament-best two champions.

Two-time unbeaten state champion Jace Hedeman won the 126 title with a 6-1 decision over Neighbor in the finals. He was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler. He was joined by teammate Caleb Olson, who earned the 150 title.

Cliff Keen Independence Invitational

At Independence

Teams – 1. Alburnett 320, 2. Carlisle 282, 3. Fennimore (Wis.) 277.5, 4.Union Community 256, 5. New Hampton/Turkey Valley 231, 6. Independence 222, 7. Osage 219.5, 8. Clear Creek Amana 215.5, 9. Burlington-Norte Dame 201, 10. Harrisburg (S.D.) 196.

11. Algona 188, 12. Denver 178, 13. Solon 173, 14. Trinity Park (Ill.) 172, 15. Lisbon 171, 16. Crestwood 167, 17. C.R. Xavier 165.5, 18. South Tama 164.5, 19. C.R. Prairie 159, 20. Greene County 148.5.

21. Roland-Story 142.5, 22. Smithville (Mo.) 140, 23. Pleasant Valley 138, 24. Waterloo East 137.5, 25. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 135, 26. Milton (Ill.) 133, 27. Truro I-35 123.5, 28. Maquoketa 119, 29. Fort Madison 117, 30. West Liberty 103, 31. Christian Brothers (Mo.) 79, 32. (tie) Des Moines Lincoln and Dubuque Senior 44.

Championship matches

106 pounds – Dylan Munson (CRP) dec. Atlee Dewitt (Alb), 7-5; 113 – Gavin Landers (Den) dec. Brayden Bohnsack (UC), 2-0; 120 – Carter Schmauss (Cres) dec. Aiden Slama (Milt), 1-0; 126 – Jace Hedeman (UC) dec. Rowdy Neighbor (Alb), 6-1; 132 – Kade Blume (RS) dec. Kaiden Dietzenbach (BND), 9-2; 138 – Tyson Peach (Milt) dec. Blake Fox (O), 3-0; 144 – Preston Klostermann (Alb) pinned Ryler Jones (CCA), 5:09; 150 – Caleb Olson (UC) pinned Dawson Becker (Alb), :35; 157 – Tucker Stangel (O) dec. Alex Hutchcraft (Smith), 4-2; 165 – Tristan Steldt (Fenn) dec. Brent Dennhardt (GC), 6-5; 175 – Maximus Magayna (WE) dec. Hesston Johnson (RS), 6-3; 190 – Wyatt Ahnen (Fenn) major dec. Demaris Henderson (WE), 13-5; 215 – Braden McShane (NH/TV) dec. Gavin Bridgewater (ST), 6-5; Hwt. – Mac Muller (O) dec. Evan Gratz (Fenn), 3-0.

Outstanding wrestler: Hedeman (UC), 126

Most pins in least time: Jackson Van Keuren (Maquoketa), five pins in 3:35

Fastest pin: Kyan McBride (ST), :09

Most total match points: Kaiden Dietzenbach (BND), 74

Wyatt Schultz Underdog award (Biggest difference between seed and place): Alex Olson (Carl); No. 32 seed, Placed 12th at Hwt.

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