More brotherly love than sibling rivalry for Lembecks

CEDAR RAPIDS – Consider it brotherly love instead of a sibling rivalry.It played out when Ross Lembeck crossed the gymnasium and landed a congratulatory pat on the backside to younger brother, Clint Lembeck. The meaningful, yet simple, gesture occurred despite being on opposite sides of the competitive fence.Ross Lembeck is a senior 152-pounder for Linn-Mar and Clint Lembeck is a 132-pound sophomore for Cedar Rapids Xavier. Even though the Class 3A fifth-ranked Lions handled the host Saints, 43-18, in a Mississippi Valley Conference dual last night, both posted impressive wins.They are the sons of former Xavier and Lisbon coach and University of Northern Iowa All-American Chris Lembeck. They hold a mutual respect, sharing in successes.“He's always there supporting me and helping me out,” said Clint Lembeck, a state qualifier as a freshman. “We're always there for each other.”Ross Lembeck, who went to Regis through junior high and decided to attend Linn-Mar High School, sat in the unenviable position, watching blood battle a fellow Lion. He watched as his younger brother beat former state champion Matt Wempen, 5-1.“I don't like to cheer against my team and I don't like cheering against Clint,” Ross Lembeck said. “You know in your heart you want your brother to win, but it is sad to see your teammate lose.“It's a good win for Clint. I think he deserves it.”Clint Lembeck, ranked fourth, avenged an 11-6 loss to No. 6 Wempen in the MVC finals Saturday. He scored a takedown in the opening period and then sealed the victory with a takedown in the final minute of the third.He dictated the tempo and applied an affective game plan.“I know he comes out strong,” Clint Lembeck said. “He has a high pace, so my goal was to slow it down. Bounce it around, get him going and charging at me.”The win is an important confidence boost with the upcoming postseason.“It's going to be very important, especially at district,” Clint Lembeck said. “It will affect mental stuff.”Ross Lembeck returned to action for the first time since before the holiday break. He was sidelined due to injury, but showed no signs of rust, scoring two takedowns before pinning Caleb Billick in just 18 seconds.The top-ranked Lion declined to discuss specifics of the injury. He just started wrestling live in practice, settling for drilling, cardio and pool workouts as he made his way back. The three-time state medalist and 2012 state runner-up was glad to have a match.“It is key just to get back to the feel of an actual match instead of going live in the practice room,” Ross Lembeck said. “It is the feel you are going to have at state. Usually want a tough match before that, but any experience on the mat before state is good when you've been out for a while.”He has overcome injury in the past and said the approach is different from last season when he placed fifth at state. The workouts are tougher and better, according to Ross Lembeck. The goal is to put him in position to close out that state title.“I feel 10 times stronger and faster,” Ross Lembeck said. “I'm in way better shape than I was last year coming back.”The Lions won nine weights, receiving a pin from Andrew Holladay (195) and a major decision from top-ranked Alijah Jeffery (120). Fifth-ranked 160-pounder Shea Hartzler bumped up to 170 and defeated MVC champion Sean Ickes, 3-1 in sudden victory overtime.Linn-Mar opened the evening with a 67-12 win over Waterloo East.Xavier Nick Drahozal (145), Sam Meyers (182) and heavyweight Cole Turner had win for Xavier against Linn-Mar. The Saints beat East, 66-18.

AT C.R. XAVIER

Linn-Mar 43, C.R. Xavier 18

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

113 pounds - Noah Ajram (LM) won by forfeit; 120 - Alijah Jeffery (LM) major dec. Josh Gerke, 14-5 (5, 0); 126 - Damon Griffin (LM) won by forfeit; 132 - Clint Lembeck (CRX) dec. Matt Wempen, 5-1 (2, 0); 138 - Manny Jeffery (LM) dec. Jerry Duball, 6-5 (3, 1); 145 - Nick Drahozal (CRX) dec. Zach Huffman, 7-2 (2, 1); 152 - Ross Lembeck (LM) pinned Caleb Billick, :18 (2, 0); 160 - Jake Grave (LM) won by forfeit; 170 - Shea Hartzler (LM) dec. Sean Ickes, 3-1 (1, 0); 182 - Sam Meyers (CRX) dec. Brayden Schultz, 11-5 (4, 1); 195 - Andrew Holladay (LM) pinned Ryan Williams, :34 (1, 0); 220 - Sam Nowak (LM) dec. Mike Maher, 2-1 (0, 0); Hwt. - Cole Turner (CRX) dec. Dallas McFarland, 4-2 TB1 (0, 0); 106 - Jeff Vipond (CRX) won by forfeit.

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns - Linn-Mar 14, Xavier 9. Reversals - Linn-Mar 2, Xavier 5. Escapes - Linn-Mar 7, Xavier 12. Nearfall points - Linn-Mar 2, Xavier 0. Penalty points (awarded) - Linn-Mar 0, Xavier 0. Total match points - Linn-Mar 41, Xavier 40.

Linn-Mar 67, Waterloo East 12

Hwt. - Omar Bagic (WE) pinned McFarland, 5:16; 

106 - Kyle Tupper (LM) pinned Darrel Lowery, :30; 

113 - Ajram (LM) major dec. Kyler Lowe, 14-4; 

120 - A. Jeffery (LM) tech. fall Skylar Laughlin, 15-0; 

126 - Griffin (LM) pinned Cody Sahr, :42; 

132 - Wempen (LM) won by forfeit;

138 - M. Jeffery (LM) won by forfeit; 

145 - Huffman (LM) won by forfeit; 

152 - Lembeck (LM) won by forfeit; 

160 - Hartzler (LM) won by forfeit;

 170 - Schultz (LM) major dec. Eric Gleiter, 16-3; 

182 - Payne Niedert (WE) pinned Joe Gallo, 4:34; 

195 - Holladay (LM) won by forfeit;

220 - Sam Nowak (LM) won by forfeit.

C.R. Xavier 66, Waterloo East 18

106 pounds - Lowe (WE) won by forfeit; 

113 - Vipond (CRX) pinned Nathan Moritz, 1:54; 

120 - Gerke (CRX) pinned Laughlin, 1:43; 

126 - Sahr (WE) won by forfeit; 

132 - Lembeck (CRX) won by forfeit; 

138 - Duball (CRX) pinned Jeremiah Jordan, :50; 

145 - Drahozal (CRX) pinned Dalyne King, :48; 

152 -Billick (CRX) pinned Chase Pryor, 3:09; 

160 - Gleiter (WE) won by forfeit; 

170 - Sean Ickes (CRX) pinned Niedert, 3:05; 

182 - Meyers (CRX) won by forfeit; 

195 - Williams (CRX) won by forfeit; 

220 - Maher (CRX) won by forfeit; 

Hwt. - Turner (CRX) pinned Bagic, 1:01.