Lisbon’s Quincy Happel posts strong start at lower weight

MOUNT VERNON – Quincy Happel is a lean, mean scoring machine.

The Lisbon senior dropped a weight class, moving from 132 last season to a more natural fit at 126 this year.

Happel continued an impressive start to his final campaign, claiming one of six Lisbon’s individual championships and helping the Lions to the team title at the Mount Vernon Invitational on Saturday at Mount Vernon High School. Fifth-ranked Happel defeated Wapsie Valley’s No. 3 Dawson Schmit, 7-3, for the 126 crown.

“I’ve been feeling really good,” Happel said. “Originally, I was going to go 132 but (teammate) Tiernan Boots decided he can make it down so I was like I’ll cut to 126. I’ve been feeling really strong.”

Happel actually started at 138 and made the move to help solidify the Lions’ lineup. He thought it was going to be a little harder to handle, but now he’s under after workouts.

“I’ve been really good at managing,” Happel said. “I’m coming out of practice at 121. Sometimes 122. It wasn’t a huge cut and I just feel really good here.”

Happel and Schmit have a history. Two years ago, the pair split matches with Happel winning in the regular season and Schmit winning at state. Happel was in control throughout, scoring two matches in the first period and another in the second before riding Schmit out in the third.

“He dominated in all positions,” Lisbon Coach Brad Smith said. “It was a 7-3 match, but it was a domination, especially when he proved he could ride him out that third period. It was a big win for him.”

Happel tallied 66 total match points in five matches with a match-high of 23 Saturday. He had three technical falls and a pin before the last round.

“I’m getting to my offense, trusting my training a lot this year compared the last couple years,” Happel said. “I’ve been staying on the attack and getting my gas tank going.”

Smith noted Happel was a victory from reaching the state podium. He said he sees the potential for hardware in Des Moines.

“I think he will be right in the hunt,” Smith said. “He can be a state finalist. No doubt in my mind.”

Happel has made multiple state appearances. He wants to go out with a bang and show what he is capable of doing in the postseason.

“Just prove to people what I’ve been missing,” Happel said. “I haven’t had good performances at state.

“Personally, the state tournament hasn’t been too hot for me. I know I’m a better wrestler than a lot of those kids are on the podium, so long term, hopefully, I’m pretty high up on that podium. Do what I’ve wanted to do the last three years.”

Lisbon advanced eight into the finals and crowned six champions. One of the losses was a medical forfeit as a precaution. So, the Lions lost just one championship bout. Brandon Paez (120), Cade Siebrecht (138), Indy Harbaugh at 145, Max Kohl (182) and 195-pounder Jamien Moore all won titles for Lisbon.

“We had a good final round,” Smith said. “It was a good tournament. Everybody scored points for us.

“We’re taking it week by week and looking for a little bit of improvement.”

Lisbon scored 264 ½ points, beating runner-up Mount Vernon by 97 ½ points.

Marion’s Wes Logan played spoiler in the one final that Lisbon wrestled and didn’t win. Logan scored three takedowns, using a takedown and two-point nearfall for a cushion late to beat Boots, 11-5, at 132.

Mount Vernon had two champions. Henry Ryan became the fourth sibling in his family to win the home tournament for the Mustangs. He claimed the 152-pound title, joining his brothers, Jacob, Tre and Paul atop the podium.

Clark Younggreen also won a title for the Mustangs, beating Louisa-Muscatine’s Spencer Kessel, 9-1, in the 220 finals. He had two major decisions and a pin, outscoring his last two foes, 24-3.

“It feels good being in front of the home crowd,” Younggreen said. “There are a lot of people having your back and supporting you.

“It’s pretty special. It doesn’t get much better.”

East Buchanan heavyweight Cody Fox wrestled his first matches of the season. He pinned his way through the tournament, ending them all in the first period.

“I thought he wrestled well,” East Buchanan Coach Brent Lenox said. “He’s an athletic kid. He’s getting some high expectations for himself.”

Washington, Iowa, freshman Aaron Boone remained unbeaten. He dominated the 113-pound round-robin. Boone went 5-0 and beat Cedar Rapids Xavier runner-up Ryan Hoefer, 18-3, in the final round. He improved to 17-0 this season, recording four pins Saturday.

Sigourney-Keota’s Jack Clarahan (170) and West Liberty 106-pounder Colin Cassady also won titles. Clarahan used a takedown in sudden victory to defeat the Comets’ top-seeded Drake Collins in the final.

MOUNT VERNON INVITATIONAL

At Mount Vernon

Teams – 1. Lisbon 264.5, 2. Mount Vernon 167, 3. Davenport Assumption 131, 4. Marion 107.5, 5. Wapsie Valley 106, 6. Sigourney-Keota 101, 7. West Liberty 94, 8. Wapello 91, 9. East Buchanan 78, 10. C.R. Xavier 76, 11. Muscatine 67, 12. Washington, Iowa 53.5, 13. Cascade 52, 14. Burlington 51, 15. Louisa-Muscatine 37.

Championship matches

106 pounds – Colin Cassady (WL) dec. Brock Morris (Cas), 5-3; 113 (round robin) – Aaron Boone (Wash) tech. fall Ryan Hoefer (CRX), 18-3; 120 – Brandon Paez (Lis) pinned Jacob Maes (DA), 2:56; 126 (round robin) – Quincy Happel (Lis) dec. Dawson Schmit (WV), 7-3; 132 – Wes Logan (Mar) dec. Tiernan Boots (Lis), 11-5; 138 – Cade Siebrecht (Lis) major dec. Jackson Jaspers (MV), 19-7; 145 – Indy Harbaugh (Lis) dec. Elijah Belzer (Wap), 7-3; 152 – Henry Ryan (MV) wins by medical forfeit over Matthias Kohl (Lis); 160 – Allen Catour (DA) dec. Christian Stanek (CRX), 3-1 SV1; 170 – Jack Clarahan (S-K) dec. Drake Collins (WL), 3-1 SV1; 182 – Max Kohl (Lis) dec. Johnny Argo (DA), 3-1 SV1; 195 – Jamien Moore (Lis) pinned Cade Striegle (S-K), 3:19; 220 – Clark Younggreen (MV) major dec. Spencer Kessel (Lou-Mus), 9-1; Hwt. – Cody Fox (EB) pinned Julius Harris (Burl), :46.