Pins propel Cedar Rapids Prairie back to State Duals

CEDAR RAPIDS — Patience is a virtue, even in the fast-paced and aggressive sport of wrestling.

Take Cedar Rapids Prairie seniors Morgan Hood and Preston LaGrange, for example.

Hood waited patiently for his chance to return to the Hawks' lineup. LaGrange demonstrated his composure, biding time and capitalizing on an opportunity to strike.

Both recorded pins, contributing to eighth-ranked Prairie's 47-16 victory over No. 9 Johnston in a Class 3A regional dual final Wednesday night at Prairie. The Hawks (16-2) advance to the State Duals tournament, facing top-seeded Southeast Polk (22-0) in the quarterfinals Feb. 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

'It's huge,' LaGrange said about the Hawks' sixth straight State Duals berth and 17th overall. 'It feels so good, going back down there again.'

Hood's role for the postseason was uncertain, spending a chunk of the season behind junior Mike Jasa, who was injured at the Mississippi Valley Conference tournament Jan. 28. Hood, a returning state qualifier, didn't pout and continued to prepare to be the 152-pound starter.

'I was putting in the work, showing up to practice and getting the job done,' Hood said. 'It was frustrating. I just thought to myself the harder I work the faster my chance will come.'

Hood took advantage of his opportunity to produce with Prairie holding an early 4-3 lead from Casey Hogan's major decision at 138. Hood came out on top of a scramble, locking up a reverse cradle and getting a quick fall in 41 seconds over Elliott Pohlmeyer.

'When the door opened to get back in the lineup, he's done the things needed to do to put himself to win matches like that,' Prairie Coach Kane Thompson said. 'We knew going in that our focus was to stay solid because he's not going to be. He's going to be super funky and try to hit things when you get out of position.

'He felt it, got it locked and put it away.'

Hood was a little surprised with the outcome at first. He said he kept repeating not to get thrown and stayed in good position.

'I just started to do what I know how to do,' Hood said. 'It worked out in my favor.'

The bit of breathing room in the team score didn't last long. Johnston's 10th-ranked Collin Hushagen answered with a 4:50 pin over No. 7 Tyger Whitters at 160, closing the gap to one point again.

Ashton Stoner-DeGroot (170) used a reversal and three nearfall in the third for a 7-2 decision over Riley Romick. The freshman's victory set the table for LaGrange's thriller that helped the Hawks pull away.

LaGrange gave up a takedown and was put on his back in the opening period against Emin Okic, who increased his lead to 7-0 with a second-period reversal. LaGrange nearly cut the deficit in half when he cinched up a cradle and got a pin in 3:31.

'I just told myself to keep fighting,' LaGrange said. 'Shots are going to open up and the match was going to go my way, if I keep it up.'

LaGrange scored his first point on an escape. He appeared in control, glancing up at the clock before getting a takedown and setting up the fall.

'I felt calm the whole match, really,' LaGrange said. 'I got caught in a sticky situation and he got up on me. I was fine the whole match.'

The performance is indicative of the mental strength of LaGrange.

'He's tough as nails,' Thompson said. 'There's no other way to describe him. That is just who he is.'

The fall was one of seven wins, including four for bonus points, in the final nine bouts for Prairie. Alex Heisdorffer (220), Conrad Braswell (106) and 195-pounder Stuart Boston added a major decision. The Hawks turn their attention to Saturday's district in Mount Pleasant.

'I'm definitely pleased with how sharp they looked,' Thompson said. 'Now, we have two to build for the 14 guys who will be wrestling on Saturday, which are the 14 guys who competed (Wednesday night), and see if they can bring that same fight and intensity and get as many guys as we can to the individual tournament.'

Johnston finished at 17-5. The Dragons won 10 matches for a 53-22 victory over Mount Pleasant (15-5) in the regional dual semifinal.

CLASS 3A REGIONAL DUAL FINAL, At C.R. Prairie

C.R. Prairie 47, Johnston 16

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

138 pounds – Casey Hogan (CRP) major dec. Sterling Brunk, 10-1 (4,0); 145 – Nick Graham (J) dec. Chase St. John, 9-5 (2,0); 152 – Morgan Hood (CRP) pinned Elliott Pohlmeyer, :41 (1,0); 160 - Collin Hushagen (J) pinned Tyger Whitters, 4:50 (1,1); 170 – Ashton Stoner-DeGroot (CRP) dec. Riley Romick, 7-2 (0,1); 182 – Preston LaGrange (CRP) pinned Emin Okic, 3:31 (1,1); 195 – Stuart Boston (CRP) major dec. Bobby Piagentini, 20-7 (7,0); 220 – Alex Heisdorffer (CRP) pinned Ben Standish, 2:55 (0,0); Hwt. – Jake Ryan (J) dec. Chance Halfhill, 3-2 (1,0); 106 – Conrad Braswell (CRP) pinned Jack Borgmeier, 1:41 (2,0); 113 – Johnny Washburn (CRP) dec. Thomas Edwards, 6-5 (0,1); 120 – Ted Zangerle (CRP) dec. James Edwards, 6-3 (2,1); 126 – Zach Price (J) major dec. Lucas Harmening, 12-4 (5,0); 132 – Trenten Wennermark (CRP) won by forfeit.

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Johnston 13, Prairie 18. Reversals – Johnston 5, Prairie 5. Escapes – Johnston 14, Prairie 14. Nearfall points – Johnston 5, Prairie 14. Penalty points (awarded) – Johnston 0, Prairie 1. Total match points – Johnston 55, Prairie 75.

CLASS 3A STATE DUAL PAIRINGS

At Des Moines

(Wells Fargo Arena)

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Southeast Polk (22-0) vs. No. 8 Cedar Rapids Prairie (16-2), 11 a.m.

No. 4 Western Dubuque (27-4) vs. No. 5 Waverly-Shell Rock (18-5), 11 a.m.

No. 2 West Des Moines Valley (17-2) vs. No. 7 Indianola (20-2), 11 a.m.

No. 3 North Scott (36-3) vs. No. 6 Fort Dodge (9-1), 11 a.m.

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