Washington Demons collect first State Duals victory

DES MOINES — The Washington Demons added another milestone to their program.

They made their first State Duals appearance last year and took one more step forward this season.

The sixth-seeded Demons earned their first victory at the Class 2A State Duals wrestling tournament Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. Washington defeated No. 3 Atlantic/CAM, 35-31, for its first top-four finish.

'It's a pretty good feeling being in the top four now,' Washington Coach Brent Van Weelden said. 'That was kind of the goal coming in.'

The Demons used big wins, splitting the 14 weight classes. Atlantic/CAM built a 15-0 lead after three, but Washington won five straight matches. Alex Latcham (132) and 138-pounder Andrew Waite had pins to start the streak. Austin Hazelett (145) and Tristin Westphal-Edwards (152) had technical falls and Trey Van Weelden added a major decision during the stretch.

Third-ranked 195-pounder Karlton Skubal moved up a weight and recorded a pin. Walker Ikerd (106) closed the meet with a victory in the final match.

'On paper, that's kind of how the score was going to be,' Van Weelden said. 'A couple of the matches went a little different from what we thought. I really think the key was the kids that got beat tried to keep it as close in most cases. We got some bonus points right in the middle there where we really needed.'

One of the keys to the Demons' success in recent years is an accomplished senior class. They have traveled all over to compete. Six seniors in the lineup have set the bar high, meeting the high expectations set for them.

'We have a group of upperclassmen, who have been pretty dedicated,' Van Weelden said. 'I guess the payoff is you get to wrestle in the duals. Some made the state tournament as well.

'We've been looking for this group of guys for a long time.'

WILLIAMS JOINS SELECT COMPANY

With second-ranked Solon's dominant 61-12 victory over Washington in the Class 2A semifinals, Spartans Coach Blake Williams joined elite company.

Williams has led two programs in two separate classes to a State Duals final. He also coached Cedar Rapids Prairie to a Class 3A state runner-up finish at the 2006 State Duals. Williams matches the feat of Brad Smith (Lisbon and Iowa City High), Ron Peterson (Clarksville and Prairie) and Scott Litterer (West Delaware and Prairie).

'It's not about me. It's all about the kids,' Williams said. 'I'm just along for the ride and trying to help them.'

Both teams have their unique characteristics, according to Williams. He sees some similarities as well. He compared the 2006 Hawks to this year's Solon team.

'That one didn't necessarily have the top guns, but team-wise it was very wise, like our team here,' said Williams, who coached Prairie from 2003-15. 'Duals are about having someone competitive and fighting their butt off. The mentality is good and very similar.'

According to wrestling historian and writer, Dan McCool, Williams is also a part of a select father-son combo in the State Duals. Williams and his father, Roger, are one of two father-son duos to coach teams to the State Duals. Roger Williams led Decorah to the 1995 and 1996 2A state dual finals. They joined Marv and Mark Reiland, who is the current Iowa City West Coach.

TRYING FOR PERFECT TRIFECTA

Fort Dodge's Brody Teske and Underwood's Alex Thomsen are both attempting to win a third state title with a chance to join the 25 four-time Iowa state champions next season.

The junior duo have yet to lose a match in high school. Thomsen is 135-0, while Teske is 128-0.

Thomsen is 41-0 at 126 pounds in Class 1A. Teske (120) took a 44-0 mark into the final round of the State Duals tournament Wednesday.

Teske helped the sixth-seeded Dodgers upset No. 3 North Scott (30-27) and second-ranked West Des Moines Valley (34-31). Fort Dodge faced top-seeded Southeast Polk in the final.

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