Bonus-point win spree powers Cedar Rapids Xavier to boys’ wrestling dual win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Ryan Chambers is impressed by recent results.

The Saints have had a solid week, posting two wins over ranked teams and adding three other decisive victories. They are making a case to be included in the Class 3A postseason dual field for the second straight year.

“I really believe, as a team, we’re coming together,” Chambers said. “I think we should definitely be in the top 24 (rankings) for regional duals.”

Xavier won 10 matches, including seven straight, in a 53-14 victory over Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division boys’ wrestling dual Thursday at Ron Thillen Gymnasium. Kennedy rolled to a 72-6 win in the girls’ dual.

In the boys’ dual, the first six matches were split with Xavier clasping a three-point lead thanks to two early major decisions and a pin from 132-pound senior Jack Foster.

The Saints took control with the win streak that started with consecutive pins from Kale Leymaster (144), Germaine Ngoma (150), Brady DeCamp at 157 and 165-pounder Marek McNamara for a 38-11 advantage.

Xavier added two major decisions and received a first-period fall from No. 5 Jean Ngoma at 215.

The mid-to-upper weights have been a strength all season.

“I think that has how we’ve been this year,” Chambers said. “We’ve done really well. Our middle and upper weights are our strong points, our seniors. We have a bunch of seniors right in the middle. Once we get to 150 pounds we’re pretty tough.”

Chambers noted that McNamara has wrestled well, returning this season after not going out last season. He said Germaine Ngoma has made contributions at a lower weight from a year ago and 190-pounder Dusty Cook, who won by major decision, is “holding his own,” despite weighing 10 pounds under weight.

Xavier (7-4, 3-1 MVC) has logged wins over No. 19 Iowa City West and No. 14 Western Dubuque, avenging one of its losses. Each loss has come to a ranked foe, including a two-point loss to No. 12 Pleasant Valley.

“It’s a really good group,” Chambers said. “People ask us how are you better than you were last year. I’m not saying we’re better. We’re a different team. We lost some good kids and we’ve had some good kids step up.”

The Cougars dominated the girls’ dual, winning six of seven contested matches. Olivia Hallam (115), Mariana Angeles (120), Jenna Steenblock (130), Meredith Kaump at 140, 155-pounder Onyx Vanderhorn and Joscelyn Stricker at 170 recorded pins for Kennedy (10-2, 4-1 MVC).

AT C.R. XAVIER

C.R. Xavier 52, C.R. Kennedy 14*

106 pounds - Kylan Walsh (CRK) dec. Taitumn Deppe, 4-2; 113 - Elliott Gnewuch (CRX) major dec. Grahm Burkert, 10-0; 120 - Max Panosh (CRK) dec. Miguel Astorga, 11-7; 126 - Bryce Naber (CRX) major dec. Brent Bercerra, 15-6; 132 - Jack Foster (CRX) pinned Nolan Weiser, 1:30; 138 - Aidyn Roman (CRK) tech. fall Brady Leymaster, 16-0; 144 - Kale Leymaster (CRX) pinned Sam Myers, 3:39; 150 - Germaine Ngoma (CRX) pinned Landon Schnepp, 3:06; 157 - Brady DeCamp (CRX) over Andrew Campbell, 4:32; 165 - Marek McNamara (CRX) pinned Anthony Zachar, 3:03; 175 - Dane Melchior (CRX) major dec. Jarod Anderson, 16-4; 190 - Dusty Cook (CRX) major dec. Zach Stuefen, 12-4; 215 - Jean Ngoma (CRX) pinned Isaiah Smith, 1:57; Hwt. - Anthony Keys (CRK) won by forfeit.

* - C.R. Kennedy deducted three points for flagrant misconduct.

C.R. Kennedy 72, C.R. Xavier 6

100 pounds - Double forfeit; 105 - Elizabeth Renshaw (CRK) won by forfeit; 110 - Erin Arnold (CRK) won by forfeit; 115 - Olivia Hallam (CRK) pinned Joey Hines, 1:33; 120 - Mariana Angeles (CRK) pinned Lili Moses, 1:36; 125 - Isabella Griffin (CRK) won by forfeit; 130 - Jenna Steenblock (CRK) pinned Megan Talyat, 1:54; 135 - Shannon Dolan (CRK) won by forfeit; 140 - Meredith Kaump (CRK) pinned Hannah Pfab, :43; 145 - Aly Flack (CRX) pinned Marley Krakilo, 3:02; 155 - Onyx VanderHorn (CRK) pinned Elliana Casey, 2:58; 170 - Joscelyn Stricker (CRK) pinned Katie Pilcher, 3:00; 190 - Lizzie Eaton (CRK) won by forfeit; 235 - Ella Brown (CRK) won by forfeit.

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