Western Dubuque looks for second State Duals berth

Wrestling is an individual sport.

The team aspect isn't lost on Western Dubuque. Maybe that's why it still has more than 40 wrestlers in practice with only the postseason ahead for the 14 Bobcat starters.

'We take pride in the team,' Western Dubuque Coach Paul Cleary said. The team is everything. It's more than just five top guys. It's about the team getting to advance.'

Fourth-ranked Western Dubuque will host a Class 3A regional dual Wednesday at Epworth. The Bobcats will face the winner of No. 10 Dubuque Hempstead (18-4) and No. 23 Bettendorf (8-2) for a berth to the State Duals tournament Feb. 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Western Dubuque defeated Hempstead in December, but has not seen Bettendorf this season. The Bobcats are 26-4 and have a chance to advance for the first time since 2009, which is their only State Duals appearance.

'It would be a great accomplishment,' Bobcats' top-ranked heavyweight and returning state finalist Aaron Costello said. 'We have a good chance if everyone does their job and wrestles their match.'

The Bobcats have five ranked wrestlers, including top-ranked state champion Max Lyon at 182. Bradan Birt is third at 132, Jacob Close (113) and 195-pounder Luke Kluesner are sixth.

Western Dubuque is fourth in the state tournament rankings, but may be stronger in dual competition.

'We have talent and some extreme talent,' Cleary said. 'They all work together and have fun.'

The tight-knit group has produced one of the better dual marks for the program. The Bobcats are competitive at each weight with at least 10 starters with winning records. Costello said everyone has contributed to this season's success.

'We're having a good year,' Costello said. 'It shows the depth of our lineup.'

The wrestling program has developed a wide following. The Bobcats supporters travel in bunches to competitions on the road. Cleary said many parents of former wrestlers continue to attend, cheering on the current athletes. They've developed their own culture at Western Dubuque. The Bobcats hope to tap into that against either the Mustangs or Bettendorf.

'We feed off them. They feed off us,' Costello said. 'Everyone is family.

'They pack the place. They really get into it.'

Cedar Rapids Prairie is looking for its sixth straight State Duals appearances and 10th in the last 12 seasons. The eighth-ranked Hawks (15-2) will face the winner of No. 9 Johnston (16-4) and No. 24 Mount Pleasant (15-4). Prairie claimed the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division dual title and placed sixth at the State Duals last year.

'I always like our chances in a dual,' Prairie Coach Kane Thompson said. 'We are pretty balanced. We have a solid dual lineup.'

Iowa City High (18-6) and Cedar Rapids Kennedy (7-3) head to Waverly and will wrestle each other in a regional semifinal. The winner advances to the final against No. 5 Waverly-Shell Rock. City High is looking for its first State Duals berth since 2006. The Cougars have not qualified since 2004.

Linn-Mar (18-7) faces Clinton (11-6) in a regional semifinal at Eldridge. The winner will take on third-ranked North Scott (35-3) in the final.

Iowa City West (12-9) hits the road for a regional semifinal against Ankeny Centennial (17-9) at West Des Moines Valley.

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