Wenger sets Prairie career wins record

Cedar Rapids Prairie has a storied wrestling tradition and senior Josh Wenger recently added to it.

Now, he now ranks highest on the Hawks' all-time win list.

Wenger captured the 138-pound title Saturday at the Geneseo (Ill.) Invitational. He improved to 31-1 this season, giving him 153 career victories. He passed the record of 151 held by Trey Blaha.

'It was a good mark to reach,” Wenger said. 'It's something cool to be able to say that I have been able to set the bar higher for some of the other guys.

'But, it just counts as another win and (you) keep moving forward.”

Wenger, ranked second in Class 3A, is a three-time state medalist, placing fourth or better each year. He is a contender for a state title and has made a decision to continue his wrestling career. He will join the program of three-time defending NAIA champion and four-time NWCA national dual champion Grand View.

Wenger said he was attracted to the championship lifestyle that Vikings Coach Nick Mitchell emphasizes. The success at that level has a big pull. Wenger said he didn't want to rush his decision and it needed to be the right one for him.

'The feeling was like the most like home,” Wenger said. 'It was one of the places I could see myself being next year.”

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