Alburnett's Shulista and Paul claim J-Hawk titles

CEDAR RAPIDS — At the heart of Alburnett's potent lineup are Biscuit and Whipover.

One had a healthy appetite as a youth, while the other has made the pinning move his trademark.

The championship brackets they toted home, however, say Conner Shulista and Bryce Paul. The top-ranked duo captured individual titles, helping the Pirates place second Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson's J-Hawk Invitational. Class 1A top-ranked Alburnett tallied 178 1/2 points, finishing 57 behind team champion Fort Dodge.

Paul is a defending state champion and two-time Class 1A state finalist. Shulista is a three-time state medalist with a runner-up finish last season. A youth coach gave him the edible nickname in third or fourth grade.

'I liked to eat a lot back then.' Shulista said. 'It stuck with me. Everyone just calls me that now.'

The pinning combination has helped Paul amass 31 wins and record 17 pins. He showed first-year Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush his forte.

'He always says 'Go get 'em, Bryce Whipover,' ' Paul said. 'After I hit it I have to look at him. He learned we all have our special moves.'

It served Paul well at Jefferson, hitting it in each of his first two matches that lasted a total of 59 seconds. Paul finished with a 5-0 victory over the J-Hawks' 3A fifth-ranked Tavian Rashed for the 160-pound title.

The bigger the stage, the better Paul performs, according to Rush. Paul thrives on the challenge.

'He loves the spotlight,' Rush said of Paul. 'He wants every single eye on him, and you don't find that often in any sport. That is what makes him fun to coach.'

His title came on the heels of Shulista winning the crown at 152. Shulista posted a 15-5 win over New Hampton's 2A No. 6 Ryan Gorman in the championship bout. He also advanced to the finals with two pins.

His work ethic and sacrifices, which includes regularly climbing ropes before bedtime, has led to success.

'He will work his tail off,' Rush said of Shulista. 'He does the things that separates himself from everyone.

'They are both willing to go the extra mile. They still have those different characteristics.'

Rush said he was told Shulista had trouble closing matches and that his gas tank emptied in the third period. He challenged Shulista to prove people wrong and he has this season. He pulled away in the third period against Gorman and even beat the top-ranked 2A wrestler by major decision earlier this year with two third-period takedowns.

'That has been his best period,' Rush said. 'Twice in high-level matches, the third period has been his best.'

Shulista even admitted that he lost last year's state title match in the final period, motivating him this season.

'I've worked my butt off this year,' Shulista said. 'I'm doing all the extra things I can to keep in good condition and keep in good condition to win tight matches.'

Along with 170-pounder Tanner Sloan, who was second Saturday, Biscuit and Whipover give the Pirates three top-ranked wrestlers. They push each other daily.

'Bryce is a great partner,' Shulista said. 'We learn from each other every day.'

Alburnett's Tucker Franklin (138) also finished second. The Pirates had nine wrestlers place fifth or better, including seven at third or better.

Jefferson placed sixth with 147 points and three finalists. Brenden Baker (120) and 182-pounder Nick Dreckman joined Rashed in the championships. All three placed second as the J-Hawks won just two final-round matches.

'We preach finish hot,' Jefferson co-head coach Matt Orton said. 'It means to win your last match. We didn't do much of that.'

Jefferson will have next weekend off before a push into the conference tournament and the fast-approaching postseason.

'We've got to learn,' Orton said. 'we have time to work on everything. it's getting to be that time of the season where you've got to start taking some chances and we're not doing a bunch of that.'

Underwood sophomore Alex Thomsen was the tournament's Outstanding Wrestling. He beat Fort Dodge's Triston Lara, 7-2, in the 126-pound championship. Thomsen advanced to the final with a technical fall and pin.

West Delaware's Max Ridenour earned the Gregorrian Award for most pins in the least amount of time. Ridenour placed fifth at 182 with four pins in 7:14.

J-HAWK INVITATIONAL

At C.R. Jefferson

Teams — 1. Fort Dodge 235 1/2 points, 2. Alburnett 178 1/2, 3. New Hampton 155, 4. Indianola 148 1/2, 5. Dubuque Hempstead 148, 6. C.R. Jefferson 147, 7. Clinton 137, 8. Marshalltown 118, 9. Underwood 76 1/2, 10. West Delaware 66, 11. Fort Madison 61 1/2, 12. Davenport Central 54, 13. Boone 43, 14. Waterloo East 27, 15. Muscatine 13.

Championship matches

106 pounds — Drew Bennett (FD) dec. Kobey Pritchard (I), 9-4; 113 — Brody Teske (FD) dec. Lance Runyon (I), 8-2; 120 — Connor Cleveland (NH) dec. Brenden Baker (CRJ), 4-3; 126 — Alex Thomsen (U) dec. Triston Lara (FD), 7-2; 132 — Keaton Geerts (NH) pinned Keenan Cook (FD), 3:11; 138 — Mason Hulse (B) dec. Tucker Franklin (A), 7-2; 145 — Alex Ward (DH) dec. Cayd Lara (FD), 4-3; 152 — Conner Shulista (A) major dec. Ryan Gorman (NH), 15-5; 160 — Bryce Paul (A) dec. Tavian Rashed (CRJ), 5-0; 170 — Josh Edel (Mar) dec. Tanner Sloan (A), 6-0; 182 — Adam Rang (DH) dec. Nick Dreckman (CRJ), 7-5; 195 — Sam Cook (FD) dec. Justin Guilliams (Clin), 5-2; 220 — Peyton Williams (Mar) pinned Trevor Barry (Clin), 4:30; Hwt. — Gannon Gremmel (DH) pinned Tyler Clark (Clin), 1:26.

Outstanding Wrestler (Voted on by tournament coaches) — Thomsen (U)

Gregorrian Award (Most pins in least amount of time — Max Ridenour (WD), four pins in 7:14

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