Blaha's big win leads Prairie to win

MARION - Cedar Rapids Prairie's smallest wrestler provided the Hawks biggest win.

Freshman Trey Blaha took the mat for his 103-pound match knowing he needed to capture a big win for himself and his team. he was successful.

Blaha scored a 9-4 win over No. 5 Alijah Jeffery, propelling ninth-ranked Prairie to a 30-27 Mississippi Valley Conference win over No. 14 Linn-Mar last night at Linn-Mar. Blaha, ranked ninth, scored three reversals and three late back points for a 9-4 victory.

"The team needed me. I'm glad I came through for the team," said Blaha, who improved to 27-4. "it was a big win."

It was Blaha's first win over Jeffery, who won two previous matches before high school. Blaha was able to neutralize Jeffery's strength, which is in the top position. Each time Jeffery was on top - after takedowns in the first and third and when Blaha chose bottom to start the second - Blaha worked out from underneath when Jeffery was out of position trying for a turn.

"I swam out of them because he kept getting too high," Blaha said. "I kept working and moving."

Even when Blaha scored his third reversal to go up, 6-4, he continued to work. He came out on top of a late scramble, catching Jeffery on his back for the final three points.

"I had to go hard for six minutes," Blaha said. "I knew I had to keep him down, work for the nearfall."

Blaha said it was his biggest and most exciting win this season. Prairie Coach Blake Williams said the victory was a gutsy performance, because he was able to get away from Jeffery each time.

"(Jeffery) had those locked up tight," Williams said about the power-half attempts. "For him to get out shows will and determination.

"He's getting better and more confident each day. It shows."

 The dual started at 145 pounds and promised to be a tale of two meets, starting with Prairie's strength. The Hawks won six of the first eight matches, capped by Blaha's win. Zach Witte, a state finalist in 2009, opened with a 12-1 major decision in the opening match.

Cameron Rathje followed with a pin at 152. Rathje built a 4-0 lead with two takedowns before dropping Dakota Digmann in 2:51. His fall gave the Hawks a 10-0.

Prairie's lead grew to 23-0 after five matches. Peyton Wagner (160) and Alex Steenblock (171) scored a decision and a major decision for the Hawks (20-3, 10-1 MVC).  Andrew Netolicky added a fall at 189.

The Hawks received a boost from another freshman. Chris Walters earned Prairie's final win with a 15-5 major decision over Trevor Berry at 119. Walters, who won the Geneseo, Ill., tournament Saturday notched the decisive win, giving Prairie a 30-12 lead.

"He gets better with every match and is more confident," Williams said. "He's flat-out tough."

Linn-Mar still had a shot as the dual closed. After Dustin Smith and A.J. Garcia earned consecutive wins at 215 and heavyweight, Joel Northrup scored a fall at 112. Dan Radig and Jeremy Severin closed the gap to 30-18 with wins at 125 and 130.

Radig beat Dylan Becker, 4-2, and Severin edged River Whitters, 4-3, setting up the final two bouts.

Ross Lembeck stirred the Linn-Mar crowd with a fall at 135, pinning Jamie Day in 1:13. Casey Becker managed to stave off any pin attempt by Josh Pederson, who won the final match 8-3.

Bonus points and winning close matches proved to be key. Williams credited the effort of Linn-Mar, which was without Mitch Wantock and Mark Atwater who are out due to injury.

"The kids fought hard," Williams said of his team. "It's fun to be in duals like this where it comes down to the last match."

145 – Zach Witte (CRP) major dec. Tanner Regenwether, 12-1 (3-0); 152 – Cameron Rathje (CRP) pinned Dakota Digmann, 2:51 (2,0); 160 – Peyton Wagner (CRP) dec. Andrew Holladay, 6-0 (2,0); 171 – Alex Steenblock (CRP) major dec. Michael Gansen, 8-0 (2,0); 189 – Andrew Netolicky (CRP) pinned Gunther Fitch, 2:38 (2,0); 215 – Dustin Smith (LM) dec. Tyler Zacek, 10-6 (3,2); Hwt. – A.J. Garcia (LM) dec. Dillon Brunscheen, 2-1 (0,0); 103 – Trey Blaha (CRP) dec. Alijah Jeffery, 9-4 (0,2); 112 – Joel Northrup (LM) pinned Jayden Flege, 4:48 (3,0); 119 – Chris Walters (CRP) major dec. Trevor Berry, 15-5 (6,0); 125 – Dan Radig (LM) dec. Dylan Becker, 4-2 (2,0); 130 – Jeremy Severin (LM) dec. River Whitters, 4-3 (2,1); 135 – Ross Lembeck (LM) pinned Jamie Day, 1:13 (2,0); 140 – Josh Pederson (LM) dec. Casey Becker, 8-3 (3,0).

Takedowns – CRP 20, LM 17.

Reversals – CRP 4, LM 2.

Escapes – CRP 12, LM 8.

Nearfall points – CRP 16, LM 11.

Penalty points (awarded) – CRP 1, LM 0.

Total match points – CRP 77, LM 55.