Jefferson looks for first State Duals berth since 1994

 The last time Cedar Rapids Jefferson's wrestling team competed in the state duals none of the current J-Hawks were alive.Focus has been fixed on that feat the last half of the season.The J-Hawks have one of their best shots in many seasons when they head to Eldridge to face North Scott in a Class 3A regional dual Wednesday night, starting at 7. The winner advances to the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Duals tournament Feb. 19 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.“We've actually been talking quite a bit about the team aspect of it,” Jefferson Co-head coach Dick Briggs said. “For a month, we've talked about how this team has a chance to do something special and put a trophy in the trophy case.”The ninth-ranked J-Hawks (12-1) have a grasp of what a win against No. 8 North Scott. It would be the fourth state duals appearance for Jefferson, which has not qualified since 1994. Jefferson placed fourth in 1993.“It's really exciting,” Jefferson's sixth-ranked 152-pounder Kelly May said. “It's something we've been working for all offseason and this season.”Balance has been key for the J-Hawks success, including dual wins over No. 5 Linn-Mar and No. 7 Iowa City West this season. Even though individual qualifying is Saturday, they have a team-first approach.“Our coaches really stress the whole over the individual,” May said. “It is something we have all adopted. It's something we like to shoot for, being a team.”The state duals provide a chance for the entire group to compete in a state tournament. The J-Hawks have banded together to make sure everyone shares in the opportunity. They have supportive of one another, encouraging teammates to improve when struggling in parts of practices. They are a close-knit team.“They were helpful,” Briggs said. “The chemistry is really good on our team.”The J-Hawks have six ranked wrestlers, including top-ranked Brenden Baker at 106, No. 6 Kyle Briggs (120), eighth-ranked 182-pounder Josh Allen and Tavian Rashed (146) and Luke Sedlacek (160), who are both rated 10th. Senior Michael Moncivais was a state medalist for Jefferson last year.Jefferson placed ahead of the Lancers at the Keith Young Invitational in December, owning a 3-1 edge in head-to-head matches. North Scott has five ranked wrestlers with three third or better, including top-ranked University of Iowa recruit Mitch Bowman at 182 and junior Cole Kreiter at 195. Jefferson likes the matchup, but a total team effort is necessary.“We have to be solid up and down the lineup,” May said. “Everyone do their part and their duty for the team. We should be OK.”The Mississippi Valley Conference has a chance to make up half the field at State Duals.Linn-Mar (21-6) hosts No. 12 West Des Moines Dowling. The Lions are attempting to earn its fourth straight berth to the state duals, which would be the longest current streak in the conference.Mason City, ranked 14th, travels to fourth-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie (15-2). The Hawks are looking for their 14th state duals appearance in school history. A win would be Prairie's fourth trip to state duals in the last five seasons.Seventh-ranked West (21-6) wrestles No. 11 West Des Moines Valley at home. The Trojans are trying to return to state duals after a 10-year streak was snapped last season. The Trojans had tied Logan-Magnolia for the state record of most consecutive state duals berths.