Third-ranked Jefferson topples No. 4 Prairie

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Jefferson co-head coach Matt Orton didn't sleep much last night.

On the eve of a dual against a heated rival, his mind raced with strategy and different scenarios they could face. He should get a little more sleep now that the J-Hawks can cross off another item on a list of desired accomplishments for the program.

For the first time in almost 20 years, Class 3A third-ranked Jefferson beat Westside rival No. 4 Cedar Rapids Prairie, posting a 34-28 win Thursday night at Prairie. It was the J-Hawks first win over Prairie since 1995 and the first at Prairie since 1975.

'Each year it's been trying to take care of things we haven't for a long time,” Orton said. 'Other than a state title, this is one they haven't done in a long time. It felt good.”

The dual was a seesaw affair for much of the meet before second-ranked Brenden Baker secured the dual with a major decision in the final bout at 113 pounds. Even more than the end, it was the beginning that played a key factor.

Jefferson's Joseph Sibomana battled back from a three-point deficit against Dylan Kleinschmidt at 120, forcing overtime and recording a fall during the sudden-victory period.

After scrambling to avoid a takedown, he put Kleinschmidt to his back and never let up to work for the fall. He knew the importance of more points.

'My goal was to pin him,” Sibomana said. 'I wanted to six points for the team.”

Sibomana needed an escape and takedown in the third just to force overtime. He had to ride out Kleinschmidt to reach the extra period.

'It was awesome,” Orton said. 'Joseph is one of those kids you appreciate everything he has done. He works so hard.”

The J-Hawks (5-0) took control with a four-match win streak about the midway point. Nick Dreckman scored a fall at 160. Tavian Rashed (152), Luke Sedlacek (170) and 182-pounder Kelly May won by decision.

Ninth-ranked May edged No. 6 Jarod Cadena, 7-6, in the only head-to-head battle of ranked foes. May was fueled by a reversal and two nearfall in the four-point second period, fighting off Cadena's threats for back points twice.

'It was a tough match,” May said. 'I had to push the pace and keep working.”

Dalton Kuehl's pin at heavyweight put Jefferson ahead, 30-22, with two matches remaining. The J-Hawks had the meet in hand.

'Bonus points were definitely on my mind,” Kuehl said. 'It felt good.”

Jefferson also received a win from Kyle Briggs, who moved up to 138. Orton said they stressed the finer points, assuming details like mat awareness, score and time would be crucial.

'We knew it was going to be close,” Orton said. 'It was going to be about bonus points and picking them up when we could.”

Don't expect the celebration to last for long. The J-Hawks won't dwell on the win.

'It feels pretty good to take what's ours,” May said. 'It was a team effort up and down the lineup. It's something we can feel pretty good for tonight.

'We'll get up in the morning and back to work tomorrow.”

The Hawks (6-2) had plenty of opportunities to come out on top. They had three matches decided by two points or less and one ending in overtime.

'You have to win close matches against good teams,” Prairie Coach Blake Williams said. 'You have to find a way. We were close on a couple. Our fight and effort were there, but they have to learn to find a way to win.”

Sam Uthoff (126) answered Sibomana with a fall. Seth Wennermark (132) followed with a decision, giving Prairie its first lead. Three-time state medalist Josh Wenger moved up to 145, earning a major decision and the Hawks' last lead at 13-12.

Tyler Pasker (220) and Marcus England (106) had falls and Taylor Mehmen (195) added a decision for Prairie.

'I'm confident in our kids,” Williams said. 'I'm confident in where we're at as a program right now. Hopefully, we'll go into this weekend a little hungry.”

AT C.R. PRAIRIE

C.R. Jefferson 34, C.R. Prairie 28

(Takedowns in parentheses)

120 pounds - Joseph Sibomana (CRJ) pinned Dylan Kleinschmidt, 6:18 (2,1); 126 - Sam Uthoff (CRP) pinned Seth Jellison, 2:38 (1,0); 132 - Seth Wennermark (CRP) dec. Dylan Pappas, 9-2 (2,0); 138 - Kyle Briggs (CRJ) dec. Zach Fiser, 5-3 (2,0); 145 - Josh Wenger (CRP) major dec. Matt Culver, 11-1 (2,0); 152 - Tavian Rashed (CRJ) dec. Chase St. John, 11-6 (3,1); 160 - Nick Dreckman (CRJ) pinned Angel Peralta, 1:04 (1,0); 170 - Luke Sedlacek (CRJ) dec. Nick Hogan, 4-2 (1,0); 182 - Kelly May (CRJ) dec. Jarod Cadena, 7-6 (1,1); 195 - Taylor Mehmen (CRP) dec. Erik Hovey , 8-3 (3,1); 220 - Tyler Pasker (CRP) pinned Richard Moomey, 1:20 (1,0); Hwt. - Dalton Kuehl (CRJ) pinned Jonah Manson, 3:08 (0,0); 106 - Marcus England (CRP) pinned Zach Main, 1:36 (1,0); 113 - Brenden Baker (CRJ) major dec. Lucas Harmening, 13-5 (4,1)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns - CRJ 15, CRP 14; Reversals - CRJ 4, CRP 4; Escapes - CRJ 8, CRP 9; Nearfall points - CRJ 7, CRP 9; Penalty points (awarded) - CRJ 0, CRP 5. Total match points - CRJ 53, CRP 64.

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