Linn-Mar dominates Dowling for fourth straight State Duals berth

MARION – The season has presented its share of challenges for the Linn-Mar Lions.They have endured injuries, leading to some disappointments along the way.Even though they are not totally healthy, the Lions are close. The Lions adopted the attitude of making their mark in the postseason, performing like they did when they had its best lineup intact.“Obviously, the year hasn't gone the way we wanted it,” Streicher said. “You can still put a pretty darn good stamp on the end of the year.”Fifth-ranked Linn-Mar dominated its way to a fourth straight State Duals berth with a 53-18 victory over No. 12 West Des Moines Dowling last night in an Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A regional dual at Linn-Mar. The Lions will face Mississippi Valley Conference rival Cedar Rapids Prairie in the state dual quarterfinals Feb. 19 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, beginning at 9 a.m.The senior class has reached the state dual tournament every year, qualifying for the fifth time in school history. Third-ranked 195-pound senior Andrew Holladay said he didn't envision that feat when he was a freshman.“I really didn't know what to think, but you hope for it,” said Holladay, who had one of seven Linn-Mar pins against Dowling. “It's a big deal for us as a team. We've talked about that all week, too.”Linn-Mar (22-6) had the dual well in hand by the time the Maroons had even won a match. The Lions started at its strength, putting four ranked wrestlers on the mat.Sixth-ranked Noah Ajram (113) opened with a decision and followed by No. 1 120-pounder Alijah Jeffery's fall. Seventh-ranked Damon Griffin (126) and No. 5 Matt Wempen (132) added major decisions, putting Linn-Mar up, 17-0.“We had our moments,” said Streicher, demanding more from the Lions. “You have to look at position by position where we thought we needed to improve, and told those guys not to get slowed down.”The Lions rolled with three straight falls from Manny Jeffery (138), A.J. Geers (145) and top-ranked 152-pounder Ross Lembeck. Manny Jeffery and Geers trailed by a point in the second before earning the pin."I just tried to be solid on top and control what I can," Geers said. "I chopped the arm and just worked for the fall."Shea Hartzler (170) and Sam Nowak (220) also had pins, as the Lions won 10 of 14 matches. Linn-Mar earned bonus points in nine matches.“We were aggressive,” Geers said. “We got the falls.”The convincing performance provided an exclamation mark on the accomplishment, heading into Saturday's district tournament. It added to the Lions' impressive showing.“We came out strong,” Holladay said. “We did what we had to do to dominate the whole thing.”Streicher did not want to address the team's approach to competing at state duals.“No comment,” Streicher said.

AT LINN-MAR

Linn-Mar 53, West Des Moines Dowling 18

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

113 - Noah Ajram (LM) dec. Nate Sheehy, 11-4 (5, 0);

120 - Alijah Jeffery (LM) pinned Soren Khyl, :37 (1, 0);

126 - Damon Griffin (LM) major dec. Caleb Murray, 11-3 (3, 0);

132 - Matt Wempen (LM) major dec. Merrick Purcell, 16-8 (6, 0);

138 - Manny Jeffery (LM) pinned Kaden Sauer, 3:22 (0, 2);

145 - A.J. Geers (LM) pinned Gus Moon, 3:21 (0, 1);

152 - Ross Lembeck (LM) pinned Ben McLuen, :35 (3, 0);

160 - Isaiah Patton (WDMD) pinned Andrew Verhille, 3:13 (2, 0);

170 - Shea Hartzler (LM) pinned Eli Gaul, 2:43 (1, 0);

182 - Jared Jaeger (WDMD) dec. Brayden Schultz, 9-2 (3, 0);

195 - Andrew Holladay (LM) pinned Rodney Harris, 3:44 (2, 0);

220 - Sam Nowak (LM) pinned Carter Havekost, 3:45 (2, 0);

Hwt. - Eli Alger (WDMD) dec. Dallas McFarland, 7-2 (1, 0);

106 - Jake Watters (WDMD) pinned Charlie Petersen, 1:48 (1, 0).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns - Dowling 10, Linn-Mar 23.

Reversals - Dowling 4, Linn-Mar 4.

Escapes - Dowling 13, Linn-Mar 8.

Nearfall points - Dowling 6, Linn-Mar 20.

Penalty points (awarded) - Dowling 1, Linn-Mar 0.

Total match points - Dowling 48, Linn-Mar 82.