Thompson’s tenure at Prairie starts strong

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kane Thompson experienced the wrestling culture at Cedar Rapids Prairie.

Even though he wasn't a part of the Hawks program, he got a strong sense of the sport's culture there as a teacher in the College Community School District from 2006-09.

So, he jumped at the opportunity when the job was available after former head coach Blake Williams returned to Solon to be closer to family.

'That's a great job,” Thompson said about his first thoughts. 'I didn't know where I really stood. You just have to put yourself out there and be honest through the interview process and see what happens.”

Thompson's tenure is off to a good start. The Hawks are 1-0 in duals and won the Independence Invitational by 64 ½ points Saturday, crowning three champions with five finalists.

Prairie's tradition includes 28 individual state champions, 15 state duals appearance with two state titles and two traditional state tournament crowns (1979 and 1995). The Hawks have won the last three Mississippi Valley Conference tournament team championships.

High expectations, support from administration, parents and alumni and the desire to continuously improve were factors for Thompson to join the program.

'It's a program that's not going to go away,” Thompson said. 'It's not one that's been up a little bit. It's been consistent. I think that's what attracted me to it.”

He came to a contender from a program he helped build into one. Thompson posted a 173-79 dual mark in eight seasons at Alburnett. He led the Pirates to top-three finishes at the traditional state meet in each of the last six seasons, including titles in 2013 and 2015 with a runner-up performance in 2014. Alburnett also reached the state duals each of the last five years, winning in 2013 and getting third the last two.

Thompson coached against some of his former wrestlers this weekend as the Hawks had 13 medalists. He watched as Drake Halblom (126) and Conner Shulista (152) won titles for the Pirates. He said it was a different feel.

'The thing is I miss those guys, for sure,” said Thompson, who coach five Pirates to 10 individual state crowns. 'You work with those guys for eight or nine years and build some close relationships.

'Those ties are still there. They don't automatically go away.”

Things have worked out well. Prairie has shown why it is ranked sixth in Class 3A as a tournament team and fourth in duals. Sam Uthoff is top-ranked at 126, Marcus England and Taylor Mehmen are ranked fifth at 113 and 182, respectively, freshman 106-pounder Jacob Tedrow is seventh and Trent Wennermark (120) and Tyler Pasker (220) are eighth.

'Absolutely, I'm happy with where we started,” Thompson said. 'The thing is we performed well and see a lot of areas where we can get better. The kids know that so I see a lot of upside to this team and the work they are putting in.”

FREESTYLE HELPS FOREMAN

Cedar Rapids Washington sophomore Will Foreman devoted time in the off-season to wrestling freestyle. He competed in about 20 matches, including Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., in the summer. He's reaping the benefits.

Foreman is 7-0, pinning his way to the 126-pound title at Bondurant-Farrar on Saturday. He decked South Tama's Tanner Probasco in 3:22. Foreman reached the final with two-first-period falls. He has six pins and a decision in the opening week.

'He wrestled well all day,” Washington Coach Matt Hatcher said about Saturday's championship. 'We competed three times this week and each time out he got a little better and that is what we're working to do.”

NEW DUAL RANKINGS

The Predicament, a newspaper publication devoted solely to wrestling coverage across the state has introduced dual rankings for all three classes this season. The publication has produced statewide individual rankings for decades, including tournament team rankings that were based on placement points projected for each individual.

According to The Predicament's owner and publisher, Wyatt Schultz, a panel of former wrestling coaches vote on a top-10 for all three classes.

In the inaugural poll, Fort Dodge was first in Class 3A, Clarion-Goldfield was No. 1 in 2A and Lisbon first in 1A.

Cedar Rapids Prairie sits in fourth and Cedar Rapids Jefferson is ranked eighth in 3A.

In Class 2A, Union Community is fourth. Alburnett, which is first in the tournament ratings, is third, one spot back of Don Bosco in 1A. Sigourney is 10th in 1A as well.

Lisbon defeated Alburnett, 45-33, in the opening week of the season and the two ranked teams dual again Thursday.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com