Gerke and Lembeck bright spots for Xavier

Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Ryan Chambers does not have a lot of wrestlers in the practice room this season, but he has some tough competitors.

Chambers has been impressed with the effort from his leaders, heading into the holiday break after a solid opening month to the season.

Junior Clint Lembeck, ranked second at 132 in Class 3A, is a two-time state qualifier, placing fourth at the state tournament last season. Sophomore Josh Gerke is ranked eighth at 126, winning 37 matches as a freshman.

'I think they have just as big expectations for themselves,” Chamber said. 'They put a lot of off-season work. Clint has worked harder this year than ever. He's getting bigger and stronger. Gerke played football again this year to get better with his hand and foot work.

'My expectations are through the roof for those kids.”

Both have wrestled a higher weight until last weekend, getting down to the class they plan to be the rest of the season. Gerke is 13-3, while Lembeck is 14-2.

After a rough fourth-place performance at the Independence Invitational, Gerke has been impressive. He has defeated three ranked wrestlers, including a 5-1 win Dubuque Hempstead's seventh-ranked Nate Feldman. He also topped two ranked at the Mount Vernon Invitational, claiming the 132-pound title.

'He's wrestling lights out,” said Chambers, noting a win over Davenport Assumption's second-ranked Stuart Shaefer. 'He's an amazing wrestler,” Chambers said. 'He's mat savvy. He's a goer.”

Gerke held the school's pin record briefly last season until a teammate surpassed him in the postseason. In addition to his knack for the fall, Chambers praised his work ethic, calling him a quiet person who leads by example.

The Xavier football roster listed Gerke at 150 pounds in the fall. He has worked to get down to 126, trying to help himself and his team.

'Gerke's really disciplined,” Chambers said. 'You never have to worry where he is at. He's self-motivated.”

Jeff Vipond, the Saints' 106-pounder, has also been one of the Saints' top performers, according to Chambers. Vipond is 14-2, winning a title at Mount Vernon. He has won 12 straight matches, going 5-0 with four pins at Xavier's Doug Philipp duals last weekend.

Chambers said Vipond has just missed the state tournament the last two seasons and has the ability to reach Des Moines.

'I have high hopes for him as well,” said Chambers, noting all three Saints have wrestled together since youth level. 'He's off to a great start.”

Lembeck has picked up where he left off a year ago. At Mount Vernon, Lembeck placed second, dropping a 6-2 decision in a battle with Lisbon national champion and two-time state titlist Carter Happel.

'It was an amazing match,” Chambers said. 'It was a scramble then entire match.”

Gerke is attempting to reach the level Lembeck hit as a sophomore. The goal is to reach the podium in Des Moines and Chambers is confident it will be achieved.

'He wants to wrestle the best kid,” Chambers said. 'He's not afraid of competition.”

J-HAWKS, UNION HEAD TO THE CLASH

Cedar Rapids Jefferson will make its first appearance at The Clash dual wrestling tournament in Rochester, Minn., in January. The J-Hawks and Union Community are two of five Iowa teams in the 32-team field, wrestling Jan. 2-3.

Bettendorf, Mediapolis and Pleasant Valley also will compete at the event.

Union, ranked 41st nationally by Intermat, is seeded second in its bracket, facing this year's host Kenyon-Wanamingo (Minn.). The J-Hawks are seeded fifth with an opening dual against No. 4 Hastings (Minn.) in Bracket D. Bettendorf is the second seed in the J-Hawks bracket.

Pleasant Valley makes its first trip and is an eighth seed in the same bracket with the Knights. Union is coming off a championship at the Battle of Waterloo and opened tournament competition with a team title at Cedar Falls' Keith Young Invitation. The Knights are excited to experience the atmosphere.

'We have a team that can compete anywhere,” Union three-time state champion Max Thomsen said. 'We love a challenge. That's what we're working for. We want to wrestle the best teams in the country.”

AMLING ATOP RANKINGS

Edgewood-Colesburg's 152-pound senior Sawyer Amling has ascended to the top of the latest Class 1A individual rankings released by The Predicament last week.

Amling is 8-0 this season, giving him 101 for his career. His 100th win came from a fall in the semifinals, en route to a title at the Oelwein Invitational. Amling beat Crestwood's Tyler Thomas, who is ranked fourth in 2A at 145.

Amling is a three-time state medalist, who was fifth last year and third as a sophomore. He is putting his stamp on being one of the Vikings best ever.

'He's a fantastic wrestler,” Ed-Co Coach Alex Hanna said. 'He has been a leader on our team since he was a freshman.

'He's very aggressive. He is never satisfied, wanting to score more points. He's a supremely talented wrestler and is a good kid, too.”

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