Jefferson’s Baker cooks up big win

DES MOINES — Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Brenden Baker shared a photo on Instagram recently.

The picture showed him crumpled on the mat after a second-round loss at last year's state meet, which reminds him of what matters most.

Baker proved the regular season doesn't matter when you reach the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament, but this time in a good way. The third-ranked 113-pounder avenged an earlier loss to Southeast Polk's No. 2 Nate Lendt in the opening round of the 3A state tournament Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena.

Baker scored a takedown with 28 seconds left and rode out Lendt for the win.

'I just stayed in there and kept wrestling,' Baker said. 'I ended up coming out victorious like I hoped.'

Baker (36-2) was top-ranked and unbeaten a year ago when he fell to a wrestler he had defeated multiple times. He had a reminder when he lost in the district final, setting up the highly-ranked rematch.

'It's just motivation,' said Baker, who placed third last year. 'I don't want the same thing to happen this year. Next round is going to be tougher.'

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Baker trailed 4-3, surrendering the opening takedown and scoring a reversal in the second. He attempted a boot-scoot takedown attempt — a rare move for him — that set up a scramble, leading to the winning move.

'I knew there was short time, so I had to try something,' Baker said. 'It's the state tournament. You try anything you can to win.'

His earlier losses and a slow start due to a preseason injury dropped Baker in the rankings. Jefferson Coach Dick Briggs said others received the attention and Baker as a second thought.

'They kind of forgot about him,' Briggs said. 'He's too talented to forget about, so let's hope we can keep this rolling.'

Jefferson's Luke Sedlacek scored two late takedowns to beat Southeast Polk's Brady Buchheit, 6-5, at 160. Kelly May (182) and heavyweight Dalton Kuehl won by fall. Kyle Briggs, a state medalist last year, won his consolation match after an opening loss at 132.

'They are familiar,' Jefferson co-head coach Dick Briggs said. 'They were down here last year.

'Hopefully, they are comfortable here, by now, and can carry it through the tournament.'

Cedar Rapids Prairie rolled in the opening session, winning five first-round matches and had eight wrestlers remaining to sit in third place in the team race. The Hawks were in third with 22 ½ points, trailing second-place Bettendorf by four. Southeast Polk was first with 39 ½.

Marcus England (106), Sam Uthoff (126), Josh Wenger (138) and 195-pounder Taylor Mehmen all won by fall. Jarod Cadena recorded a technical fall in his bout at 182. They accounted for 9 ½ bonus points for the Hawks.

'That is huge when you're trying to get up there and contend for a trophy,' Prairie Coach Blake Williams said. 'You have to have bonus points and a lot of pins. We did that.'

Sixth-ranked Cadena looked right at home in his state tournament debut. He handled Council Bluffs Lewis Central's Hayden Waldstein, 16-0, in just 3:22.

'It's a pretty cool atmosphere, but I have to look at it like any other tournament,' Cadena said. 'I'm out here to do my stuff, like any other match.'

He has been a contributor to the Hawks team that placed fourth at the State Duals three straight years. He became accustomed to the intensity and electricity that can be overwhelming to some wrestlers.

'I guess that is the kind of experience that helps you out,' Cadena said. 'The big crowd and everything. We placed top three the last four years, so I've been here a little bit.'

Brothers Trent and Seth Wennermark won consolation matches at 113 and 132, respectively. Heavyweight Tyler Pasker went 1-1 and remains in the consolation bracket.

'We still have numbers,' Williams said. 'That is always key in a tournament like this.'

Linn-Mar was perfect in four first-round matches, sitting tied for 16th with 10 points. The Lions received major decisions from third-ranked Matt Wempen (145) and Shea Hartzler (160). Noah Ajram (120) and 152-pounder Toby Northrup won by decision.

Wempen dominated Des Moines Roosevelt's Tanner Murray, 13-2. He is looking for his fourth state medal, winning a title in 2012 and placing fourth as a sophomore and fifth last year.

'The biggest thing here is to come out here and wrestle a hundred percent,' Wempen said. 'You have to be aggressive and not hold anything back. Just give your all.'

Wempen has endured sickness and injury, which has shortened each of his last three seasons. He has persevered and never missed a state tournament. He appreciates the chance, planning to make the most of it.

'You can't take life for granted,' Wempen said. 'When you get the opportunities, you have to go and give a hundred percent, and have no regrets.'

Wempen (23-1) faces Bettendorf's top-ranked Fredy Stroker in the quarterfinals. He is focused on himself and not his opponent.

'I have to stuff that I am good at,' Wempen said. 'I can't be worrying about what other kids are going to do to me. Be aware of that stuff, but do what I do best. That will give me the best chance.

'I'm ready for it,' Wempen said. 'It's all on the line.'

Iowa City West went 4-2 in the opening round. Aaron Stumpf (113) and 182-pounder Donovan Doyle led the way with pins. Tanner Rohweder (120) and John Milani (170) also advanced. The Trojans' Nate Kelsay remains in the consolation round.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy has all three qualifiers remaining. Nolan Hromidko (120) won by fall, decking Davenport Central's Josue Dansou in 2:42. Fifth-ranked Ben Sarasin added a fall in the 138 consolation round, while 220-pounder Dalles Jacobus won a consolation match by decision.

Western Dubuque advanced two to the quarterfinals in second-ranked Max Lyon at 170 and Dylan Hoefler (220). The Bobcats have Bradan Birt (113), Ryan Kenneally (195) and heavyweight Aaron Costello competing in the consolation bracket.

Cedar Rapids Xavier's Clint Lembeck (132) had one of the marquee first-round matchups. Third-ranked Lembeck fell to Bettendorf's No. 2 Paul Glynn, 8-6, but rebounded with a technical fall over Des Moines East's Chance Raleigh.

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