Boys’ high school wrestling notes: New class, same approach for Alburnett

New class. Same approach.

Alburnett is unfazed by its transition from being one of the bigger Class 1A programs to one of smaller ones in 2A.

The Pirates were 1A state runners-up at both the traditional and State Duals tournaments last season. They are coming off a fifth-place finish at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational, which included seven ranked Iowa teams, six in 2A and participants from four total states.

“The depth in 2A is impressive,” Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said. “The Independence tournament was a great example of that with six of the top 10 teams in 2A in attendance.”

Alburnett has grown in recent years. Rush said the enrollment threshold for 2A dropped for this season and the Pirates were just 14 students above the cutline after being one student shy a year ago. Rush said it is fortunate not much has changed for the fifth-ranked Pirates.

“We have always wrestled a tough schedule with all classes on it,” Rush said. “The little bit that does change is the depth that 2A has this year. A couple of the top 1A schools from last year moved up with us.

“When you add them to the already tough 2A teams, it makes for a really interesting 2A race for both duals and traditional.”

Alburnett returned a strong nucleus that scored 52 points at last year’s state tournament. The Pirates opened the season with six ranked wrestlers. The experience has meshed with young talent, placing six in the top four of their respective weights at Independence and another finishing seventh.

“Anytime a team can have experienced competitors on it, the better off they are,” Rush said. “We have that with these guys. Many of them have competed in high level tournaments, some do it regularly.”

Heavyweight Eaghan Fleshman led the way with a title, while Owen Henriksen was runner-up at 144. Freshman 106-pounder Tyler Gerhold and two-time state medalist Atlee Dewitt (120) were third. Kam Roberts at 132 and Cooper Franklin (157) placed fourth.

The Pirates have had wrestlers grab the leadership reins left by last year’s seniors, who helped Rush reposition the program among the state’s best.

“We saw guys like Henriksen and Fleshman step in and show what level they are at after a good spring and summer of training,” Rush said. “Add Dewitt, Franklin, and (175-pounder Hunter) Sauer into that mix of guys who are considered seasoned vets.

“We saw nice additions with Gerhold placing third and Roberts taking fourth. With all of that, we have a good mix of guys ready to compete.”

JESUP JUMPS TO HOT START

Jesup posted a 5-0 record at its home dual tournament Saturday. The J-Hawks improved to 7-0 in duals after the first week of the season.

Jesup defeated Clear Lake and Dike New-Hartford by identical 67-12 scores. The J-Hawks also defeated Lake Mills (59-19), Iowa Valley (58-21) and Iowa City Regina (53-25). They won 53 of 70 matches Saturday.

The J-Hawks opened the season with an 81-0 win over AGWSR and a 72-4 victory against Sumner-Fredericksburg, going 80-18 overall in individual matches.

MOUNT VERNON INVITATIONAL

Mount Vernon is coming off a dual victory over Williamsburg last week and a team title Saturday at Newton’s Cardinal Classic.

The Mustangs will host the 58th Annual Mount Vernon Invitational. The 16-team field includes 2A No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Lisbon, Anamosa, Davenport Assumption, Cedar Rapids Xavier, West Liberty and Marion. Seventeen returning state medalists are expected to wrestle, including five from EBF and four from Assumption.

Thirty-seven wrestlers are ranked in 13 weights, including five at 120 pounds. West Marshall’s Urijah Courter is No. 1 in 2A, EBF’s Simon Bettis is No. 3 in 2A, Lisbon’s Cael Stricker is No. 4 in 1A and Central DeWitt’s Cale Johnson and Anamosa’s Hunter Campion are 10th and 11th, respectively, in 2A. Four ranked competitors are expected to wrestle at 126, 144, 157 and 190.

Action is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com