Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Garrett Kubovec eyes return to state tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Garrett Kubovec made strides in wrestling technique last season.

Additional offseason wrestling led to better results, ending in sixth place in his first trip to state. The finish has led to more progress, but this time it isn't physical.

'My mental game is better,' Kubovec said. 'I'm more confident.'

Kubovec will attempt to earn a second state berth at the Class 3A district Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Wrestlers in all three classes across the state will compete in district meets, beginning at noon. The top two wrestlers in each weight advance to the state tournament Feb. 16-18 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Kubovec enters the postseason 28-4 and ranked fifth at 182 pounds. He has just three losses to 3A wrestlers and two came in the opening weekend, placing sixth at Cedar Falls' Keith Young Invitational at 195.

'I think his (improvement) is his willingness to work with the coaches to get better,' Kennedy Coach Dennis Hynek said. 'His attitude is really good right now.'

Hynek added that Kubovec has worked to hone his focus more as the end of the season approached. The mind-set received a boost from last February's medal.

'That's helped a lot this year,' said Kubovec, the Mississippi Valley Conference runner-up. 'I came in knowing that I'm one of the top guys in the state and I can compete with anybody.'

He heated up in January, winning three straight tournaments. He captured titles at the Jack Mendenhall Invitational in Ames, Geneseo (Ill.) Invitational and the Louisa-Muscatine Invitational, where he notched his 100th career victory.

'I'm just buying into the fact it's my last season in high school,' said Kubovec, praising teammates and second-ranked 170-pounder Ben Sarasin's effort as a practice partner. 'I'm buying into what the coaches say.'

He has goals to improve his finish from a year ago, striving to reach the finals and win a state title. Basics are key to advancement.

'I have to stick to fundamentals,' Kubovec said. 'I have to stay in good position and do what I can do.'

Kubovec is one of 19 ranked wrestlers at the Jefferson district that includes Cedar Rapids Washington, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Clinton, Dubuque Hempstead, Linn-Mar and Marion.

Hempstead leads the way with five ranked wrestlers, while Kennedy is next with four.

'I feel if we wrestle well we could get a few through to state,' Hynek said. 'We have our chances. We're excited.

'Practice has gone well. I think they are ready to go.'

At 152, three ranked wrestlers could compete for just two spots. Dubuque Hempstead's Alex Ward is ranked fourth, Marion's Colin Conway is fifth and Linn-Mar's Jacob Wempen is sixth.

The Jefferson field includes two ranked wrestlers at 120, 145, 160 and 170.

Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City High and Iowa City West travel to a 3A district at Mount Pleasant. They are joined by Fort Madison, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa and Pella.

Western Dubuque, ranked fourth in 3A and led by top-ranked duo Max Lyon (182) and heavyweight Aaron Costello, heads to a district meet at No. 5 Waverly-Shell Rock. The field includes Cedar Falls, Dubuque Senior, Marshalltown, Mason City, Waterloo East and Waterloo West.

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