Lisbon 'closes the deal' in tournament win, continues strong season

LISBON — Lisbon's season motto has been, "Close the deal."

A stark reminder of a State Duals title that slipped away via criteria last year and a command to finish periods, matches and tournaments strong.

The Class 1A top-ranked Lions walked the walk Saturday, winning the Tripoli Invitational team title. Lisbon overcame a double-digit deficit before the final round, beating the host Titans by 20 points.

'We had a really good last round,' Lisbon Coach Brad Smith said. 'We won 11 of 13 placing matches and seven with bonus points.'

The Lions were perfect in five championship bouts. Cobe Siebrecht (106), Cael Happel (113), Cooper Siebrecht at 132, Kaden Kilburg (152) and 170-pounder Bryce Werderman won crowns. All 13 wrestlers finished fifth or better.

Seven Lions are ranked. Freshman Happel is ranked first. Cobe Siebrecht and Chase McLaughlin (138) are ranked third. Cooper Siebrecht is fourth. Jack Butteris has climbed to seventh at 145. Kilburg and Werderman are both ninth.

Smith said Cooper Siebrecht and McLaughlin are leaders in the practice room. He added that Happel has been strong overall and Cobe Siebrecht has impressed with 17 pins. Werderman might be hotter than anyone now.

'Bryce has won his last two tournaments,' Smith said. 'He's on a roll.'

Most wrestlers had 30 matches in before the break. The mat time and strong work ethic allow the Lions to have better stamina and grind down their opponents.

'We've been really working hard,' Smith said. 'Our kids are in good shape. We get stronger as the tournament goes along.'

Smith has tested the Lions mettle this year, entering the team in highly competitive tournaments that have included larger 2A and 3A schools.

Lisbon's schedule stacks up better than just about any 1A program in the state, wrestling at Independence's mega-tournament, the two-day Battle of Waterloo dual tournament and this weekend's Ed Hadenfeldt Invitational that boasts 38 ranked wrestlers.

'It's to challenge our kids,' Smith said. 'We have the personnel to live up to it. Each week the kids have to keep working hard. If they slow down, they are going to get their butts kicked.'

Lisbon was state runner-up to Alburnett in both the traditional and dual competitions last year. The Lions were just 8 1/2 points back in the individual tournament. Smith said if the Lions (14-3) wrestle to their potential they could 'close the deal' this season.

'We have to keep working and not get complacent,' Smith said. 'We have to keep moving forward. I know these guys will.'

DOMINANT BOBCATS

Western Dubuque dominated its way to a title at the Linn-Mar Duals on Saturday. Not only did the Class 3A fifth-ranked Bobcats go 5-0 and improve to 22-4, but they outscored opponents, 304-57.

Western Dubuque won at least 11 matches in each of its duals against Ankeny Centennial, Clinton, Marion, Keokuk and Mount Vernon. The Bobcats posted a 58-12 overall match record Saturday. They beat the Mustangs, 61-16, in the final.

Western Dubuque won all seven duals last week.

'We obviously had a great week with lopsided victories in all of our matches,' Bobcats Coach Paul Cleary said in the team's weekly newsletter. 'This is a testament to the work ethic of all our wrestlers along with all of their families. I think that we have a very contagious attitude that spreads each day that we work out.

'This attitude is centered on having fun with wrestling, while also working extremely hard. I believe that our conditioning was better than every team that we wrestled. We also will fine tune our technique, while making sure that our guys are also having fun.'

KUBOVEC CLAIMS CROWN

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Garrett Kubovec claimed the Metro's only individual title at the Jack Mendenhall Invitational on Saturday in Ames. Fourth-ranked Kubovec defeated Carroll's Elijah Dirkx, 5-1, in the final. He improved to 15-3.

He was one of eight Cougars medalists. Cedar Rapids Prairie was second to West Des Moines Valley, placing 10 wrestlers including 106-pound runner-up Conrad Braswell.

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