Aggressive J-Hawks soar to State Duals

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Jefferson practiced what it preaches daily.

The J-Hawks put into action their offensive and aggressive mantra.

Sixth-ranked Jefferson scored more than 100 match points, posting the first points in 10 of 14 matches, beating No. 13 Western Dubuque, 46-15, in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A regional dual final Wednesday night at home.

The J-Hawks, which has not lost a dual to an Iowa team this season, return to the State Duals for the second straight season and fifth time overall. Jefferson qualified in consecutive years for the first time since 1993-94.

'It's definitely a good thing, but we have to keep moving forward,” said senior 160-pounder Luke Sedlacek, who opened the dual with a pin. 'We want to better than we did last year.”

Last season, the J-Hawks (13-4) finished seventh out of eight teams. It hasn't set well with them, and they have expected to soothe the sting with a better showing.

'It definitely feels good,” Jefferson senior Kelly May said. 'We left with a bitter taste in our mouth last year. We hope to avenge that.”

It was apparent the J-Hawks were on a mission. They tallied 108 total match points, amassing 30 takedowns and 35 nearfall points.

'This is a step toward the goal in the long run,” May said. 'Everyone came out and attacked (Wednesday night). It was fun to watch.”

Sedlacek helped set the tone early. He was impressive, tallying nine takedowns and building a 21-7 lead before a pin in 5:47. He said he planned to be a spark from the start.

'I wanted to get the ball rolling,” Sedlacek said. 'I wanted to start it off strong and see how we could do from there.”

The J-Hawks balance and depth came into play. Nick Dreckman bumped up from 170 to 182, getting a 5-0 decision and giving Jefferson a 9-6 lead after three.

May, ranked seventh at 182, moved to 195 and added a decision. They even closed with a win from freshman Cody Clendenen at 152, filling in for eighth-ranked Tavian Rashed, who was out with an injury.

'That is one of the benefits of having depth,” Jefferson co-head coach Matt Orton said. 'You can make those moves and feel confident with putting different kids in.”

Jefferson won six in an eight-match stretch, earning bonus points in each. Heavyweight Dalton Kuehl, Seth Jellison (126) and Matt Culver at 145 had pins. Third-ranked Brenden Baker (113) had a technical fall and Joseph Sibomana (120) and 132-pounder Kyle Briggs added major decisions.

'I hope this is a sign of things to come for the weekend,” Orton said. 'They wrestled well. I hope they can keep it going.”

Orton said this is a special group that has come through the program together, pushing each other in the weight room and other sports arenas. Orton and Sedlacek both compared the team to a family. They have rejuvenated the J-Hawks program.

'The beautiful thing is these kids are just Jefferson kid,” Orton said. 'They are hardworking kids. They grew up here, knowing they would wrestle for Jefferson.”

Western Dubuque (25-9) was led by second-ranked 170-pounder Max Lyon, who had two falls including one in the semifinal win over Ankeny Centennial (39-18). Dylan Hoefler (220), Collin Koerperich (106) and Dain Gansen at 138 also won for the Bobcats in the final against Jefferson.

'I think Cedar Rapids Jefferson is probably the best dual meet team we've faced all year,” Paul Cleary said. 'We've got a great team, but they were a lot better.”

The dual was a good opportunity as the Bobcats head to Prairie for district Saturday.

'This is a great experience, wrestling some of the best wrestlers in the state,” Cleary said. 'We're going to use this. We had a dual against Ankeny.

'We're going to use this as momentum.”

AT C.R. JEFFERSON

C.R. Jefferson 46, Western Dubuque 15

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

160 pounds - Luke Sedlacek (CRJ) pinned Jacob Burds, 5:47 (9,0); 170 - Max Lyon (WD) pinned Caleb Ziegenhorn, 1:49 (4,0); 182 - Nick Dreckman (CRJ) dec. Alex Wernimont, 5-0 (0,0); 195 - Kelly May (CRJ) dec. Ryan Kenneally, 5-1 (2,0); 220 - Dylan Hoefler (WD) dec. Erik Hovey, 4-3 tiebreaker1 (0,0); Hwt. - Dalton Kuehl (CRJ) pinned Aaron Costello, 2:50 (0,0); 106 - Collin Koerperich (WD) dec. Zach Main, 10-5 (2,0); 113 - Brenden Baker (CRJ) tech. fall Bradan Birt, 16-1 (3,0); 120 - Joseph Sibomana (CRJ) major dec. Jacob Close, 13-3 (4,0); 126 - Seth Jellison (CRJ) pinned Quinn Mettert, :40 (1,0); 132 - Kyle Briggs (CRJ) major dec. Bailey Thurm, 11-1 (1,0); 138 - Dain Gansen (WD) dec. Dylon Pappas, 3-0 (1,0); 145 - Matt Culver (CRJ) pinned Jackson Healey, 3:20 (8,0); 152 - Cody Clendenen (CRJ) dec. Mitch McAndrew, 7-3 (2,0).

MATCH STATISTICS

Takedowns - Western Dubuque 7, C.R. Jefferson 30; Reversals - Western Dubuque 2, C.R. Jefferson 2; Escapes - Western Dubuque 22, C.R. Jefferson 9; Nearfall points - Western Dubuque 4, C.R. Jefferson 35; Penalty points (awarded) - Western Dubuque 3, C.R. Jefferson 0; Total match points - Western Dubuque 47, C.R. Jefferson 108.

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