Kennedy powers way to win over Linn-Mar

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Dennis Hynek adds a sprint for every pin the Cougars allow.

The reward for getting pins is simply pride in a job well done and a pat on the back.

They haven't tried to bargain for a better deal, settling for big team wins like the 46-24 win over Linn-Mar Thursday night at Kennedy. The Class 3A 10th-ranked Cougars also dropped Cedar Falls, 60-22, sweeping a Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division triangular.

'I thought the effort was pretty good,' Hynek said. 'Technically, we weren't the most sound team in the world tonight. I loved what I saw as far as effort.'

Kennedy (9-1, 2-0) tallied five pins against the Lions (10-7, 2-2), widening the gap of a previous meeting that was decided by five points and decided in the final match. The Cougars also had eight pins against the Tigers (8-10, 2-4), increasing their pin percentage this season above the 60-percent mark. Nothing is greater than the satisfaction of recording a pin and preventing them for the sake of team points. Pins are the ultimate goal in the sport, after all.

'I think of it as accomplishing the maximum I can on the mat,' said Kennedy's second-ranked 132-pounder Nolan Hromidko, who had two pins Thursday. 'It's enough for me. I don't think we should be rewarded for that.'

Hynek isn't about to hand out warm fuzzies for falls. He was encouraged to see the pressure the Cougars applied while riding and turning opponents.

'I tell them that is what we're supposed to do,' Hynek said. 'I think the kids are starting to believe in themselves that we can have success on top.'

Kennedy used the fall to pull away from the Lions, breaking open an 18-18 tie with six matches remaining with a five-match win streak. Garrett Kubovec (182) and Sam Pape at 195 had consecutive pins for a 30-18 lead.

Dalles Jacobus all but sealed the deal with a pin in 2:54, rushing Isaiah Garman and driving him to his back at 220. The all-state football player has made a habit of turning pancake blocks into pins.

'It's a little bit of an instinct thing,' Jacobus said. 'It's not a shot I drill. If I get the chance to tackle somebody, I'm going to tackle them, so I saw it and went for it.'

The emotional leader for Kennedy's state runner-up football team in the fall showed a glimpse of that fire after his pin. He yelled and flexed.

'He's a wonderful kid,' Hynek said. 'He's a lot of fun.'

Eli Benion (106) and Cam Shaver, who moved up to 113, added consecutive pins for Kennedy, which made sure to take advantage of each bonus-point opportunity.

Hynek said the Cougars have work to do technically, but are aggressively looking for those chances.

'We really stress that a lot,' Hynek said. 'You want to get bonus points any time you can. I thought they did well.'

Austin McLeod added a decision at 126 for a 3-0 lead this time. Logen Rodriguez had a decision at 152 and heavyweight Matt Murphy received a forfeit.

The Cougars realized some of their potential in the first win over Linn-Mar, beating the Lions for third at the Five Seasons Duals on Dec. 12.

'Just like that the switch flipped,' Jacobus said about that earlier win. 'The team just took off. We have been practicing hard and it shows on the mat.'

Linn-Mar received falls from Alex Streicher (138), Matt Schlegel (170) and 120-pounder Zach Youngwirth. The Lions' second-ranked Shea Hartzler had the biggest win of the evening, avenging a loss to Kennedy's third-ranked Ben Sarasin. Hartzler used a second-period takedown and two escapes for a 4-2 victory.

Streicher, Schlegel, Hartzler and 145-pounder Johnny Clymer were 2-0 in the double dual.

Linn-Mar beat Cedar Falls, 51-22.

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