Stronger MFL MarMac squad eyes State Duals berth

MFL MarMac Coach Chet Bachman watched his program transform into an Upper Iowa Conference power from 2005-11.

The Bulldogs won eight conference dual championships in a row, adding seven consecutive UIC tournament titles during the stretch. He sees them returning to form.

Not only have the Bulldogs won two straight conference titles, they are coming off a Class 1A sectional title where they crowned seven individual champions and set a school record with seven district qualifiers. The performance earned them a spot in the regional duals Tuesday, beginning at 6 p.m.

The 11th-ranked Bulldogs (24-3) will face No. 26 East Buchanan (18-9) in a regional semifinal at Dike. The winner will face either No. 9 Wapsie Valley (20-4) or Pleasantville (10-16) in the final for a berth to the State Duals on Feb. 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

MFL is looking for its first State Duals appearance, falling to state runner-up Lisbon in the regional final last season.

'We had to rebuild,' said Bachman, who led the Bulldogs to a fourth-place finish at the 2005 2A traditional state tournament. 'We are getting back to where we were. We are making the transition to 1A. We're quietly making some noise.'

Success can be cyclical and MFL experienced a brief hiatus from its dominance in the UIC. Bachman went back to square one. The focus shifted to youth wrestlers, getting strong support from parents and working with pee-wee wrestlers.

They are starting to impact the program. Of about 20 wrestlers are on the roster, half are underclassmen, including 2016 state qualifier and 132-pound sophomore Michael Egan (42-1).

'We have a good group of sophomores we've been working with for a long time, and a few freshmen,' Bachman said. 'We're still young.'

Egan joined classmates Nathan Johaningmeier (152), Garrett Keehner (170) and Korby Keeher at 220 as sectional champions. Freshman Ethan Stubbs (106) and junior Brady Olson at 138 won titles Saturday. Riley Doeppke won at 145 and is one of only three senior starters.

Wrestling together for so long has created a strong bond. They normally hang out with each other outside of practice and competition. Bachman said they can be found fishing in the offseason and playing games together. It has helped them on the mat.

'They feed off each other,' Bachman said. 'They have wrestled well lately. They've just clicked.'

Bachman expects a battle from the Buccaneers. He said East Buchanan is strong and they are known for being tough. Don't be surprised if bonus points is the difference, and that goes for either team's matchup with Wapsie Valley.

'They have scrappy kids and you're always in for a dogfight,' Bachman said. 'It comes down to your good kids have to come through, getting one or two swing matches and you need an upset, too.

'Bonus points can be crucial.'

At Lisbon, the second-ranked Lions (20-4) will face Midland (10-17) in a semifinal. Midlands is making its regional dual debut.

The winner will take on either No. 25 Mediapolis (13-8) or 27th-ranked Wilton (15-7). The Lions reached the State Duals final last year, losing on criteria.

Top-ranked Don Bosco (17-3) hosts Lynnville-Sully (12-18) in a regional dual semifinal. No. 17 South Winneshiek (20-2) and No. 19 North Linn (17-6) will round out the semifinal field at Gilbertville.

English Valleys (15-15) is making its second regional dual appearance. The Bears are coming off their first sectional team title and wrestle No. 10 Sigourney-Keota (23-5). No. 15 Southeast Warren (15-4) and Interstate 35 (15-6) will compete in the other semifinal at Sigourney.

In 2A, second-ranked Solon (23-1) will host Saydel (16-4) in a semifinal. The winner will take on the winner between No. 15 Mount Vernon (13-6) and Monroe PCM (21-12). The Spartans are looking for their second State Duals berth and first since 2001, during the first tenure of head coach Blake Williams.

Washington (Iowa) will try to return to the State Duals tournament. The Demons (26-1) host No. 19 Eddyville EBF (31-3) in a semifinal. Williamsburg, ranked 13th, faces No. 17 Albia (25-5) in the other semifinal there. The Raiders are 23-4.

At Davenport Assumption, the sixth-ranked Knights (12-4) have Independence (14-18) in the semifinals. The winner will have either No. 10 West Liberty (19-1) or West Delaware (7-10) in the regional final.

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