K.J. Pilcher

Williamsburg Coach Grant Eckenrod reached 600 career dual victories with a win over Iowa Valley Tuesday night in Marengo. He became the third high school wrestling coach to surpass the win plateau.

University of Iowa went 2-0 at the Journeyman Collegiate Duals Monday. Three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee wrestled in the Hawkeyes’ lineup for the first time this season, posting technical fall and major decision victories.

Iowa State Coach Kevin Dresser and Purdue Coach Tony Ersland were both two-time state champions for Humboldt before continuing their wrestling careers as Iowa Hawkeyes and then eventually as college coaches. They brought their NCAA Division I programs to Humboldt Sunday for a dual that the Cyclones won, 23-13.

Some of the top dual teams in NCAA Division I will wrestle in the Journeyman Collegiate Duals on Monday and Tuesday in Destin, Fla. Iowa, UNI, Penn State, Missouri and N.C. State among the 12-team field.

Dyersville Beckman’s Owen Huehnergarth has thrived in baseball, football and wrestling. The fourth-ranked senior is determined to improve last season’s fifth-place state finish. He won the 195-pound title and helped Beckman win the team crown at North Linn.

Iowa City West two-time state champion Hunter Garvin has been as good as any high school wrestler in the first three weeks of the season. He recorded his 11th pin and improved to 16-0 in the Trojans’ 49-28 dual win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

The Hawks have won five of the last six team titles in state events. They have picked up where they left off after a sweep of traditional and dual crowns last season. Also, Alburnett claimed a tournament title Saturday and Battle of Waterloo is set.

University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab had a better feeling after this year’s UNI Open. Of course, three champs and six finalists help. Iowa’s Cullen Schriever and Patrick Kennedy also earn titles and much more.

Lisbon senior Quincy Happel dropped down a weight class to help solidify the Lions’ wrestling lineup. He has moved to 12-1 after winning the 126-pound title at the Mount Vernon Invitational.

Coe second-ranked heavyweight Kaleb Reeves has benefited from a busy offseason, competing in Greco-Roman tournaments and focusing on weight training. Both have paid dividends with a 12-0 start with 11 pins.

Cedar Rapids Prairie has just two seniors in its starting, but a young group is talented and tough. The Hawks won 10 of 14 matches to beat Cedar Falls, 43-24.

Mark Reiland made his mark at all levels, winning an individual title at Eagle Grove, an NCAA title for the Hawkeyes and coaching Iowa City West to 7 state titles.

K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs discuss all the Cy-Hawk wrestling action and oddities on the Pinning Combination podcast.

In this week’s prep wrestling notebook: Solon’s Hayden Taylor will forgo his senior season and a chance to join the 29 four-time state champions because of injury.

Iowa and Iowa State weren’t exchanging recipes when they came face-to-face after the Hawkeyes won Sunday’s dual, 22-11. Coe had a big weekend. Cael Happel won his debut and a local duo won Donnybrook titles.