Prairie tops Jefferson

By K.J. Pilcher

The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Prairie received a big contribution from an unlikely source.

Earlier in the year Alex Steenblock and Austin Bartosh were sharing the 160-pound varsity spot, but an injury at 152 made room for both.

They made the most of their opportunity last night, winning consecutive matches to seal host Prairie's 35-26 win over Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

The wins by Steenblock and Bartosh placed the nail and drove it home to the battling J-Hawks.

"We just try hard in practice," said Bartosh, whose win matched Steenblock's 10-12 record. We came out and did what we needed to do."

Steenblock battled Anthony Pacheck to a scoreless six minutes, but didn't need much time to set the Prairie crowd off with a takedown in overtime. He hit a headlock on the edge of the mat for the winning move at 152.

"It's not the takedown I would think to win an overtime match," Williams said. "He saw it and he hit it hard. he didn't hesitate. So that was good."

Bartosh, who said the team's rough start stirred up nerves, followed with an 8-2 decision over Zak Kloos at 160. Bartosh surrendered a takedown early, but responded with a reversal and back points, adding a takedown in each of the last two periods.

Bartosh's win officially sealed the win and improved Prairie to 5-0 in the conference and a stranglehold on the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division.

"I'm just glad to win," Bartosh said. "I thought we did good as a team."

The Hawks withstood an early onslaught, before winning seven straight matches. Williams praised 112-pounder Brennan Fischer for getting the team on the board.

"Momentum is a big thing in wrestling," Williams said. "Credit to Brennan Fischer, he stopped it."

After the J-Hawks' Blake Carson notched a major decision at 119, Prairie won seven straight bouts.

Trevor Hardin needed just :52 seconds for a fall over Jacob Dittmar at 125. Jake Rizzio followed with a second-period fall at 130.

Zach Witte (135) and Cole Schulte (140) each won by major decision. Schulte's win gave the Hawks their first lead at 23-22.

Peyton Wagner followed with a fall over Michael Lindauer at 145, fighting off his back after giving up a quick four-point move.

"Some of our more experienced guys did what they were supposed to do," William said. "That was encouraging."

The J-Hawks (7-3, 3-2 MVC) started strong, winning the first four matches and five of the first six to build a 22-3 lead.

"I'm proud of my guys. They came out and gave a great effort," Jefferson Coach Dick Briggs said. "We just gave up a too many pins and a couple of majors."

Casey DeHoedt opened the dual with a 14-7 victory over Josh Lambrecht at 189. He broke open the match in the third with four takedowns, a penalty point and two nearfall.

David Richards and Conner Herman posted consecutive pins at 215 and 285.

The hope was to get to fifth-ranked Jason McCormick within striking distance in the last match. Steenblock and Bartosh prevented it.

"We knew we had a good shot there to bring it home," Briggs said. "We just needed to get some along the way."

Contact the writer: (319) 368-8679 or kj.pilcher@gazcomm.com