Cedar Rapids Prairie junior Chase Watkinson was a state medalist last season. He is focused on becoming a state champion this season. Watkinson went 4-0, including a win over Waverly-Shell Rock’s top-ranked Kipton Lewis, Saturday during the Prairie Duals.
The Battle of Waterloo has been a marquee regular-season dual tournament and this year is no different with 21 ranked teams and 134 ranked individuals.
Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Wyatt Vlasek posted the principles of a new mental approach on his mirror, reading them each day. He has applied them to his wrestling and has reaped the rewards, climbing to sixth in the 157-pound rankings of Class 3A.
Cedar Rapids Prairie Coach Derick Ball emphasizes the mental aspect of wrestling. The Hawks have made progress from a slow opening week to the season. They were fifth at the Battle of Waterloo and are ninth in the IHSAA Class 3A dual rankings.
Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Alex Bumba dedicated more time to the offseason. He qualified for the Junior Nationals in freestyle at Fargo, N.D., last summer. The improvements are a direct result of his spring and summer wrestling.
Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Logan Redig posted pins in two matches, securing the Hawks’ sweep of Clear Creek Amana and host Alburnett Tuesday night.
Cedar Rapids Prairie has just two seniors in its starting, but a young group is talented and tough. The Hawks won 10 of 14 matches to beat Cedar Falls, 43-24.
Cedar Rapids Prairie has announced that Derick Ball will be its new head wrestling coach, taking over for Kane Thompson, who resigned to accept an administration position.
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