Union’s Thomsen takes down top-ranked foe

INDEPENDENCE - Max Thomsen received a charge from his hometown supporters.

The four-time state champion from Union Community gave them one in return.

In a battle of top-ranked wrestlers in the nation, second-ranked Thomsen scored a takedown with about 20 seconds remaining to defeat No. 1 Mike Kemerer in the final bout of the Cliff Keen/Wrestling USA Dream Team Classic last night at Independence High School. Team USA won the dual, 30-22.

Thomsen, a University of Northern Iowa recruit, received a boost from the fans.

'The atmosphere out there was awesome,” Thomsen said. 'It was all my local Iowa people and they were cheering me on hard and I just thrived off that late in the match. It helped push me to the end.”

Thomsen hadn't bested Kemerer, a University of Iowa recruit, until this dual. Thomsen recalled Kemerer dominating a national-tournament field in Tulsa, Okla., when they were in grade school and about 90 pounds lighter. They weren't the same weight again until this year, meeting three times.

Thomsen closed the gap each meeting, falling 9-4 in the finals of the Super 32 Challenge in Greensboro, N.C., on Nov. 1, and 6-3 last month at the Dapper Dan Classic in Pittsburgh.

This time, he was able to convert his offensive shots into points, tallying a takedown in each of the last two periods.

'I finished my shots instead of sitting on it,” Thomsen said. 'Kemerer is a great wrestler and I'm sure we'll have a lot more battles in the future.”

The pair sat on a bench in the Independence practice room, talking after the match. They have a mutual appreciation for each other on and off the mat.

'I respect him a ton,” Thomsen said. 'He's a great wrestler. He's also a really good guy.”

Thomsen took the triumph in stride. His nose will return to the grindstone Monday, looking for further improvement.

'It's just another win,” Thomsen said. 'I'm going to get back to the room and keep working, and work toward my next stuff.”

Thomsen's win capped the dual that also started with a win by a Union wrestler. Two-time state champion Jacob Holschlag won the opening bout, using a second-period escape and third-period rideout for a 1-0 decision over Luke Entzel, of Missoula, Mont.

A win from one of his hometown friends provided some inspiration.

'He's one of my best friends,” Thomsen said. 'I love to see him do well. He pushes me.”

Team Iowa closed with two straight wins. Waverly-Shell Rock's Bryce Steiert (160) scored a late takedown for a 3-2 win over No. 2 Josh Shields, a high school teammate of Kemerer.

Maquoketa Valley two-time state champion Ryan Parmely added a major decision at 220, giving Team Iowa a 10-7 lead after five matches. Parmely scored three takedowns with two nearfall in the final period for a 10-2 win over Ohio prep jay Nino.

'I kind of wanted to get on my offense even more than I did,” Parmely said. 'That's all right. I just wanted to go out and have fun. Win or lose it was still going to be a great honor to represent Iowa.”

Iowa recruit Cash Wilcke posted a victory. The two-time state champion from OA-BCIG, who is ranked eighth nationally, beat No. 7 Tyler Johnson, of Illinois, 3-1.

Cedar Rapids Prairie's Josh Wenger and Independence's Chase Straw also competed. Wenger fell to top-ranked Sam Krivus, of Pennsylvania, 7-2, at 138. Top-ranked Vincenzo Joseph, also of Pennsylvania, dropped Straw, 25-10, at 152.

Clear Lake's Brennen Doebel (113) and Bettendorf's Jacob Schwarm (120) won consecutive matches to give Team Iowa a 16-10 lead at the halftime intermission.

AT INDEPENDENCE

Team USA 30, Team Iowa 22

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

170 pounds - Jacob Holschlag (Iowa) dec. Luke Entzel, 1-0 (0,0); 182 - Kollin Moore (USA) major dec. Evan Hansen, 15-6 (6,0); 195 - Cash Wilcke (Iowa) dec. Tyler Johnson, 3-1 (1,0); 195 - Bobby Steveson (USA) dec. Steven Holloway, 8-6 (3,1); 220 - Ryan Parmely (Iowa) major dec. Jay Nino, 10-2 (3,0); Hwt. - Tate Orndorff (USA) dec. Mario Pena, 6-3 (2,0); 113 - Brennen Doebel (Iowa) dec. Airk Furseth, 5-2 (0,1); 120 - Jacob Schwarm (Iowa) dec. Garrett Pepple, 6-0 (2,0); 126 - Eli Seipel (USA) dec. Nolan Hellickson, 10-4 (3,0); 132 - Kaid Brock (USA) major dec. Paul Glynn, 17-4 (5,0); 138 - Sam Krivus (USA) dec. Josh Wenger, 7-2 (3,0); 145 - Tristan Moran (USA) major dec. Aaron Meyer, 18-3 (5,0); 152 - Vincenzo Joseph (USA) tech. fall Chase Straw, 25-10 (12,0); 160 - Bryce Steiert (Iowa) dec. Josh Shields, 3-2 (1,0); 145 - Max Thomsen (Iowa) dec. Mike Kemerer, 6-4 (2,1).

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns - USA 41, Iowa 10; Reversals - USA 1, Iowa 4; Escapes - USA 16, Iowa 36; Nearfall points - USA 17, Iowa 7; Penalty points (awarded) - USA 0, Iowa 1; Total match points - USA 117, Iowa 72.

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