Area wrestlers battle for state berths

 CEDAR RAPIDS - Coaches and wrestlers don't emphasize rankings.Regularly, they can be used as motivation. They can also serve as an indicator of an upcoming challenge.The subjective list of the state's individual talent promises tough competition at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A district wrestling tournament Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Action begins at noon and the field includes Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Rapids Washington, Cedar Rapids Xavier, fourth-ranked Linn-Mar, Waterloo East and Waterloo West.Twenty-five wrestlers will vie for berths to the 3A traditional state tournament Feb. 20-22 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The top two wrestlers  in each of 14 weights advance."I think it will be good competition at every single weight," Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher said. "I don't see any weak ones."Ten of the brackets are expected to have more than ranked wrestler, including three at both 120 and 145. At 120-pounds, Linn-Mar's top-ranked Alijah Jeffery, a three-time state medalist, highlights the group. Xavier's No. 7 Josh Gerke and eighth-ranked Kyle Briggs, a returning state qualifier are also at the weight, leaving one projected state medalist at home.The three schools face a similar situation at 145 with third-ranked Nick Drahozal, of Xavier, Jefferson's No. 8 Tavian Rashed and Linn-Mar's 10th-ranked Toby Northrup.Don't forget 138, featuring Cedar Falls' No. 3 Danny Kelly, Washington's sixth-ranked Trey Schuler, Jefferson's Michael Moncivais, who placed sixth at state last year, and Linn-Mar's Manny Jeffery.Competitors will have to clear a tall hurdle to reach the finals."A lot of the weights are two or three deep," Streicher said. "The semifinal round will be important."The Lions have eight ranked wrestlers, including former state champ Matt Wempen (132) and state medalists Ross Lembeck, who is top-ranked at 152, Damon Griffin (126) and third-ranked 195-pounder Andrew Holladay. The more qualifiers to state help with their chances of contending for a trophy in Des Moines."Since day one that is what this has been about," Streicher said. "We can still do some special things by the end of the season."The host J-Hawks are ranked fifth with six rated wrestlers and hope they have an edge at home."I always think that can be an advantage," Jefferson co-head coach Dick Briggs said. "Kids are at home and they don't have to travel."The J-Hawks have achieved a lot this season, earning a runner-up finish ahead of Linn-Mar at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet and its first state duals berth since 1994.Jefferson is led by top-ranked Brenden Baker, who is the lone ranked wrestler at 106, and Josh Allen, who is ranked third at 182.  Kelly May (152) and Luke Sedlacek (160) are ranked seventh and fifth, respectively.Dick Briggs said potential exists to finish with a large group of qualifiers."I think we have some solid opportunities to go," Briggs said. "We have some others that are going to have to earn their way to go. ... or wrestle above their seed. I think we could take quite a few kids down."Ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie, No. 7 Iowa City West and Iowa City High travel to Newton for another 3A district. The tournament includes Marshalltown, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa and Pella.Western Dubuque hosts Clinton, Davenport Central, Davenport North, Decorah, Dubuque Hempstead, Dubuque Senior and North Scott for a 3A district.Classes 1A and 2A will also compete in district tournaments Saturday.