Cedar Rapids Washington makes modest gains

CEDAR RAPIDS — From the outside, the gains seem modest.

Cedar Rapids Washington has more wrestlers, fewer forfeits and more dual victories than losses.

The Warriors takes a 5-4 record into a Mississippi Valley Conference double dual Thursday night against Cedar Rapids Prairie and host Dubuque Senior. Washington already has more wins than the last three seasons combined and the most victories since the 2012-13 season.

'We've seen a turnaround in our program the last three or four years,' Washington Coach Matt Hatcher said. 'To be honest, it didn't have anything to do with wrestling. It was my situation as a teacher, coming in an opportunity to teach Performance Physical Education, and that's where these kids are coming from.'

The Warriors have 24 wrestlers, starting the season with just under 30. Hatcher used to recruit from his regular PE classes or piggyback off other sports. Some of the athletes are lifting in class as early as 6 a.m. and have demonstrated dedication that has transferred to the practice room.

'Not only did we get newer kids, but we were getting kids who were automatically more committed,' Hatcher said. 'It's a little easier for me to trust them and know they are going to be here in the afternoon and start counting on them.

'Nobody has any reason to think that we don't know how to coach wrestling. That was the easy part. It was getting the kids to do what you need them to do and be successful, reach goals and accomplish what they want.'

Hatcher said this week was the first time in a long time the Warriors were having a competitive wrestle-off in January. It shows a little depth and an example of wrestlers pushing each other.

'Not only do we have kids in, but we have a little bit of depth,' Hatcher said. 'It's created a good environment around here.'

Getting to experience success helps as well. Washington won a dual tournament at Bondurant-Farrar the opening weekend, overcoming four forfeits that remain in their lineup. The Warriors finished third at DeWitt Central's Saber Invitational, despite missing two of their top starters, receiving titles from Aden Abram (113), Chris Karamitros (138) and Ty Johnson at 160. Logan Sears was second.

Will Foreman remains the leader of the team. He is ranked fourth at 126, coming off a sixth-place state finish with a 35-7 record last year.

'Overall, we're taking some steps forward,' Hatcher said. 'We're happy about it.'

GOEBEL STARTS STRONG

West Delaware's Harrison Goebel wrestled well last year, but missed the postseason when starter Coy Roussell returned from injury and eventually placed sixth at 170 pounds in the Class 2A state tournament.

Goebel won 22 matches last season. As a junior, he is 15-1, climbing as high as eighth at 182 in the statewide rankings. His only loss is to Western Dubuque's top-ranked Max Lyon, the defending 3A state champion and two-time finalist going to Purdue.

'I think last year showed he was a good wrestler,' West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss said. 'it gave him confidence he can wrestle with the best of them. I think the experience last year put him in position for a good year this year.'

Goebel owns a big frame and he has grown into it. He jumped from 145 to 170 between his first two seasons and has moved up one more class.

'He's always been pretty tall,' Voss said. 'He's filling out a little bit.'

Goebel is also part of a young group that shows promise to rejuvenate the Hawks program.

'My young guys are firing me up,' said Voss, praising 145-pounder Nick Mangold, who is also 15-1. 'My top five guys are sophomores and a junior. Goebel and Mangold are setting the pace for us.'

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