HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Sophomore wrestlers often at experience disadvantage

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By Jeff Frieden, Xavier sophomoreCEDAR RAPIDS - Logan Brown is one of the many sophomore wrestlers competing for Xavier this season, gaining experience against challengers who often are older.And like all wrestlers, when Brown steps on that mat, the only one who can win or lose that match is himself.“It is a disadvantage wrestling people who are two years older than you because they have more experience than me,”  said Brown, who has been wrestling just two years.“I had to cut weight (seven pounds) ... being careful and smart about what I eat and cutting down on serving sizes,” said Brown, who wrestles in the 195-pound division.Brown was pinned four times during the Dyersville Beckman  meet earlier this season.Another sophomore wrestler for Xavier is Philip Waddell, was thrown during the Independence Invitational on Dec. 1, landing on his head and breaking bones in his vertebra. He is expected to make a full recovery, but is out for the season.“It wasn't a slam or anything like that," Coach Ryan Chambers said. "Just a freak accident.”Other sophomores wrestling varsity for the Saints include Tom Ickes, who went 0-4 at the Beckman meet, and Camden Chicchelly, who went 1-3. There also are two freshmen who wrestle varsity, Clint Lembeck, 2-2 in that Dyersville event, and Jeff Vipond, also 2-2.