Cedar Rapids, IA, USA  
Digital Edition Digital Edition
Log in Log In My Account My Account
Subscribe Today
The Gazette The Gazette
The Gazette The Gazette
  • COVID-19
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Food and Drink
  • Business
Digital Edition Digital Edition
Log in Log In My Account My Account
Subscribe
CLOSE
The Gazette
Subscribe
My Account
  • News
    • All News
    • Election 2020
    • Coronavirus
    • Business News
    • Community
    • Crime and Courts
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Nation and World
    • Time Machine
    • Search Archive

    Our Journalists

    • Rod Boshart
    • Lee Hermiston
    • Erin Jordan
    • James Q. Lynch
    • Trish Mehaffey
    • Vanessa Miller
    • Kat Russell
    • Grace King
    • John Steppe
    • Gage Miskimen
    • Marissa Payne
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Iowa Hawkeyes
    • Hawkeye Football
    • Hawkeye Basketball
    • Prep Sports
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Basketball
    • Prep Wrestling
    • Iowa State Cyclones
    • UNI Panthers
    • Small College Sports
    • Minor League Sports
    • Outdoors

    Sports Desk

    • Mike Hlas
    • Jeff Johnson
    • Jeff Linder
    • J.R. Ogden
    • K.J. Pilcher
    • Leah Vann
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Editorial Mission
    • Guest Columnists
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Political Cartoons
    • Staff Columnists
    • Staff Editorials
    • Submit a Letter or Column

    Our Columnists

    • Todd Dorman
    • Adam Sullivan
  • Food and Drink
    • All Food and Drink
    • Chew on This
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Business Notes
    • Companies
    • Personal Finance
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy
    • Manufacturing
    • Openings & Closures
    • Real Estate
    • Retail
    • Small Business
    • Transportation

    Our Journalists

    • Rod Boshart
    • Erin Jordan
    • John Steppe
  • Obituaries
    • All Obituaries
    • In Memory Of
    • Submit an Obituary
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • Daily News Podcast
    • Fact Checker
    • Hlastradamus Odds
    • Iowa Prep Sports
    • On Iowa
    • On Iowa Politics
    • On UNI
    • Pinning Combination
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Art
    • Books
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Things To Do
  • Living
    • All Living
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Milestones
    • People & Places
    • Pets & Animals
    • Recreation
    • Religion & Belief
    • Travel

    Our Writers

    • Diana Nollen
    • Elijah Decious
  • Kids Gazette
    • See All
    • Kids Cooking Series
    • Kids Galleries
    • Printables
    • Activities
    • Articles
    • Submissions
    • Resources
  • Photos
    • All Photos and Videos
    • The Iowa Photo
    • Photo Store

    Our Photojournalists

    • Andy Abeyta
    • Liz Martin
    • Rebecca Miller
    • Jim Slosiarek
    • Gazette Visuals
  • Milestones
    • All Milestones
    • Anniversaries
    • Days To Remember
    • Engagements
    • Holidays
    • In Remembrance
    • New Arrivals
    • Thank Yous
    • Submit a Milestone
  • Data
    • Arrests
    • Building Permits
    • Interactive Maps & Charts
    • Salaries
  • Gazette Sites
    • Classifieds
    • Corridor Careers
    • Garage Sales
    • Gazette Gives Back
    • Gazette Rewards
    • Gazette Store
    • Green Gazette
    • HER
    • Iowa Wedding Experience
    • Holiday Light Finder
    • Hoopla
    • Iowa Ideas
    • Photo Store
  • Special Events
  • Special Sections
  • Other
    • About The Gazette
    • Archives
    • Article Removal
    • Business Directory
    • CR Arrest Database
    • Mobile Apps
    • Customer Care
    • Order Back Issues
    • Privacy Policies
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Sponsorship Requests
    • Submit a Letter
    • Weather
  • Digital Edition
Daily News PodcastDaily News Podcast
Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
Log out

FOLLOW US

The Gazette
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Food and Drink
  • Business
  • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
  • Entertainment
  • Living
  • Kids Gazette
  • Photos
  • Milestones
  • Data
  • Gazette Sites
  • Special Events
  • Special Sections
  • Other
  • Digital Edition
  • All News
  • Election 2020
  • Coronavirus
  • Business News
  • Community
  • Crime and Courts
  • Education
  • Government
  • Health
  • Nation and World
  • Time Machine
  • Search Archive

Our Journalists

  • Rod Boshart
  • Lee Hermiston
  • Erin Jordan
  • James Q. Lynch
  • Trish Mehaffey
  • Vanessa Miller
  • Kat Russell
  • Grace King
  • John Steppe
  • Gage Miskimen
  • Marissa Payne
  • All Sports
  • Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Hawkeye Football
  • Hawkeye Basketball
  • Prep Sports
  • Prep Volleyball
  • Prep Football
  • Prep Basketball
  • Prep Wrestling
  • Iowa State Cyclones
  • UNI Panthers
  • Small College Sports
  • Minor League Sports
  • Outdoors

Sports Desk

  • Mike Hlas
  • Jeff Johnson
  • Jeff Linder
  • J.R. Ogden
  • K.J. Pilcher
  • Leah Vann
  • All Opinion
  • Editorial Mission
  • Guest Columnists
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Political Cartoons
  • Staff Columnists
  • Staff Editorials
  • Submit a Letter or Column

Our Columnists

  • Todd Dorman
  • Adam Sullivan
  • All Food and Drink
  • Chew on This
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • All Business
  • Agriculture
  • Business Notes
  • Companies
  • Personal Finance
  • Economy
  • Employment
  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Openings & Closures
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Small Business
  • Transportation

Our Journalists

  • Rod Boshart
  • Erin Jordan
  • John Steppe
  • All Obituaries
  • In Memory Of
  • Submit an Obituary
  • All Podcasts
  • Daily News Podcast
  • Fact Checker
  • Hlastradamus Odds
  • Iowa Prep Sports
  • On Iowa
  • On Iowa Politics
  • On UNI
  • Pinning Combination
  • All Entertainment
  • Art
  • Books
  • Museums & Galleries
  • Music
  • Theater
  • Things To Do
  • All Living
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Milestones
  • People & Places
  • Pets & Animals
  • Recreation
  • Religion & Belief
  • Travel

Our Writers

  • Diana Nollen
  • Elijah Decious
  • See All
  • Kids Cooking Series
  • Kids Galleries
  • Printables
  • Activities
  • Articles
  • Submissions
  • Resources
  • All Photos and Videos
  • The Iowa Photo
  • Photo Store

Our Photojournalists

  • Andy Abeyta
  • Liz Martin
  • Rebecca Miller
  • Jim Slosiarek
  • Gazette Visuals
  • All Milestones
  • Anniversaries
  • Days To Remember
  • Engagements
  • Holidays
  • In Remembrance
  • New Arrivals
  • Thank Yous
  • Submit a Milestone
  • Arrests
  • Building Permits
  • Interactive Maps & Charts
  • Salaries
  • Classifieds
  • Corridor Careers
  • Garage Sales
  • Gazette Gives Back
  • Gazette Rewards
  • Gazette Store
  • Green Gazette
  • HER
  • Iowa Wedding Experience
  • Holiday Light Finder
  • Hoopla
  • Iowa Ideas
  • Photo Store
  • About The Gazette
  • Archives
  • Article Removal
  • Business Directory
  • CR Arrest Database
  • Mobile Apps
  • Customer Care
  • Order Back Issues
  • Privacy Policies
  • Puzzle Answers
  • Sponsorship Requests
  • Submit a Letter
  • Weather
Daily News PodcastDaily News Podcast Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters
LOG OUT

FOLLOW US

More Stories

Brucemore celebrates 40 years of being open to the public

IMU COVID vaccine clinic coming

Meet the Iowan behind the Vaccine Hunter website

Wellington Heights home gutted in 2017 fire finally coming down

26-year-old man killed in shooting in NE Cedar Rapids

Peggy Whitson to be keynote speaker for Iowa Ideas 2021

Here’s how to get rid of your derecho tree debris

Livestream: Funeral for Iowa state trooper Jim Smith

Home / Sports

Wirfs starts strong for Mount Vernon

K.J. PilcherBy: K.J. Pilcher Dec. 2, 2014 10:35 pm Updated: Dec. 2, 2014 10:35 pm

CEDAR RAPIDS - Tristan Wirfs is a year older, a little bigger and more experienced.

The Mount Vernon sophomore turned all that into a much improved start from a year ago.

Wirfs opened the season with two first-period pins, helping Mount Vernon roll to a double-dual sweep over Cedar Rapids Washington and Marion last night at Washington. The Mustangs beat the Indians, 76-3, and the Warriors, 76-0.

Wirfs wrestled a combined 1:50, including a 39-second fall to start his season.

'I was pretty excited,” Wirfs said. 'Last year I started a little slow. Being a freshman heavyweight is kind of hard, but I came out and got two pins. It was a good way to start the season.”

The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder faced older and more physically mature opponents a year ago. He has had to adapt but has gained confidence.

'I think some of it is just getting bigger,” Mount Vernon Coach Vance Light said. 'He has really good hand-eye coordination for being that big.”

Wirfs was a standout in baseball and a lineman in football. He led the Mustangs with 45 RBIs as a freshman, ranking among team leaders with .404 batting average and three home runs. He has continued the varsity success over to each season.

The biggest boost may have come in the off-season, attending a team camp in Decorah with more than 20 other Mustang teammates. He didn't expect much, but walked away with an 8-4 mark there.

'The Luther camp carried over to this year,” Wirfs said. 'I didn't have a lot of success at Luther, but with the success I had it opened my eyes how winning felt. It's a good feeling.”

He takes winning in stride, noting that it's a part of sport just like losing. The goal is to reach state, despite being inexperienced.

'He hasn't wrestled very much, to be honest,” said Light, noting Wirfs wrestled some as a youth and in junior high. 'He's involved in all different sports, so he isn't able to do a lot of extra things for wrestling.

'He has fun. That is an important thing in success in whatever sport he is in.”

Mount Vernon's Ryan Muller posted a big win in a battle of state qualifiers. He earned a 7-6 win over Washington's Jordan Henderson, a Class 1A state qualifier for Alburnett in 2013, at 138. Muller, the Mustangs only returning state qualifier, scored two third-period takedowns for the decision.

Washington (1-1) rebounded with a 39-27 win over Marion in the nightcap. Logan Sears (132), Henderson (145), Matt Ackerman at 170 and heavyweight Patrick Reirdan had pins in the final dual.

Marion (0-2) was led by Dalton Gardner. The senior 182 pounder posted two decisions for the Indians. Preston Murphy (195) and 120-pounder Ian Kelly added falls against the Warriors.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com

Cedar Rapids Washington, Marion Independent School District, Mount Vernon Community Schools
K.J. Pilcher

K.J. Pilcher

Working for the Weekend: Hard work powers Central’s Blade Durbala…

Johnson County captures NJCAA D-II national volleyball title in Cedar…

Kirkwood volleyball victorious in season finale

Traditional path: Parkland sweeps Iowa Central to return to NJCAA…

Johnson County edges Kirkwood in 5-set NJCAA volleyball tournament thriller

All articles by K.J.

Give us feedback

We work hard to provide fair, accurate coverage because we value your trust. If you find an error or omission in our reporting, please tell us here.

Submit a story idea

Do you have a story idea that we should look into? Please tell us here.

Related Stories

After a few delays, Iowa City West boys’ tennis coach…

After a few delays, Iowa City West boys’ tennis coach…

MIke Condon Iowa Prep Sports Apr. 15, 2021 9:15 am

Miles Thompson of Cedar Rapids Washington jumps to the top…

Miles Thompson of Cedar Rapids Washington jumps to the top…

Jeff Linder High School Track and Field Apr. 14, 2021 10:56 am

Former Cedar Rapids preps produce for No. 5-ranked Louisville baseball

Former Cedar Rapids preps produce for No. 5-ranked Louisville baseball

K.J. Pilcher Prep Baseball and Prep Softball Apr. 12, 2021 10:28 am

Sports

Kylie Feuerbach: Former Cyclone, future Hawkeye

Kylie Feuerbach: Former Cyclone, future Hawkeye

Jeff Linder

Hawkeye Basketball 2h ago

Taylor Mouser, tight ends to attempt takeover of the Iowa…

Taylor Mouser, tight ends to attempt takeover of the Iowa…

Ben Visser

Iowa State Cyclones 3h ago

5 things I’m watching at my first Iowa football open…

5 things I’m watching at my first Iowa football open…

Leah Vann

Hawkeye Football Apr. 16, 2021 7:56 pm

Photos: Iowa Hawkeyes softball vs. Northwestern Wildcats

Photos: Iowa Hawkeyes softball vs. Northwestern Wildcats

Jim Slosiarek

Apr. 16, 2021 7:45 pm

Wrestling

Xavier senior wrestlers left quite a legacy

Xavier senior wrestlers left quite a legacy

By Kya Loffswold, Xavier senior

Iowa High School Wrestling Mar. 25, 2021 3:37 pm

Big Schott: Huge gains propel Coe’s Ryan Schott

Big Schott: Huge gains propel Coe’s Ryan Schott

K.J. Pilcher

Small College Sports Mar. 11, 2021 8:01 pm

Iowa earns 4 top seeds for NCAA Wrestling Championships

Iowa earns 4 top seeds for NCAA Wrestling Championships

K.J. Pilcher

Iowa Hawkeyes Mar. 10, 2021 7:17 pm

State wrestling takeaways: West Liberty’s Kobe Simon climbs to top…

State wrestling takeaways: West Liberty’s Kobe Simon climbs to top…

K.J. Pilcher

Iowa High School Wrestling Feb. 22, 2021 10:03 am

Iowa Prep Sports

Keeping fit during quarantine is important

Keeping fit during quarantine is important

By Max Berry-Stoelzle

Iowa Prep Sports Apr. 16, 2021 12:38 pm

State-qualifying track and field assignments are released

State-qualifying track and field assignments are released

Jeff Linder

High School Track and Field Apr. 16, 2021 10:34 am

Drake Relays 2021 form chart, after Thursday’s qualification deadline

Drake Relays 2021 form chart, after Thursday’s qualification deadline

Jeff Linder

High School Track and Field Apr. 16, 2021 8:07 am

Linn-Mar girls’ soccer picks up where it left off after…

Linn-Mar girls’ soccer picks up where it left off after…

Nathan Ford

High School Soccer Apr. 15, 2021 11:04 pm

Columns & Blogs

Bama’s Ross Pierschbacher had quite a career with the Tide

Bama’s Ross Pierschbacher had quite a career with the Tide

Marc Morehouse

Sports Mar. 1, 2019 12:04 pm

#oniowapod talks Iowa football recruiting, and your questions

#oniowapod talks Iowa football recruiting, and your questions

Marc Morehouse

Hawkeye Football Sep. 10, 2019 5:17 pm

#oniowapod with Marc Morehouse and Scott Dochterman returns

#oniowapod with Marc Morehouse and Scott Dochterman returns

Marc Morehouse

Hawkeye Football Sep. 10, 2019 5:18 pm

Big Ten basketball isn’t homegrown

Big Ten basketball isn’t homegrown

Mike Hlas

Hawkeye Basketball Jan. 25, 2018 8:52 pm

FOLLOW US

The Gazette is Iowa’s independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage.

© 2021 The Gazette

All Rights Reserved.

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy
  • Web Accessibility

Contact Us

  • 116 3rd St SE
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
  • customercare@thegazette.com
  • (319) 398-8333
  • Live Chat

Links

  • Puzzle Answers
  • CR Arrest Database
  • Article Removal Request
  • Gazette Archives
  • Green Gazette
  • Corridor Careers Jobs
  • Work at The Gazette
  • Customer Care

© 2021 The Gazette

All Rights Reserved.

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy
  • Web Accessibility
Folience A Folience Company