Alburnett earns sweep in Tri-Rivers wrestling triangular against Lisbon, North Linn

LISBON — Alburnett has made strides over the last four years.

Pirates Coach Clayton Rush recognized his wrestlers’ enjoyment and eagerness to learn the intricacies of the sport. They devoted themselves to improving in certain areas and working on specific drills. Now, the Pirates are reaping the rewards.

“They work hard,” Rush said. “They are coachable. Our practice time is extremely meaningful and purposeful. It’s just a good group of kids. It’s fun right now.”

Class 1A second-ranked Alburnett claimed notable victories, sweeping No. 3 Lisbon and North Linn in a Tri-Rivers Conference triangular during Military Appreciation Night on Thursday at Lisbon High School. The Pirates posted identical 50-24 wins over the Lions and Lynx. Lisbon beat North Linn, 54-26.

“I like where we’re at,” Rush said. “We just put 50 points on a Lisbon team that is no slouch. It’s been a while since we’ve beat them, so that feels kind of good.”

The Pirates improved to 21-3 overall this season, winning nine weights against the Lions (12-8). Alburnett recorded five pins, opening with two straight falls from Carson Klostermann (152) and Shayden Washburn at 160. J.J. Callahan (126) and Dawson Becker (132) added two late pins for a 45-21 lead to seal the dual victory with two matches remaining.

Atlee DeWitt added a pin at 106. Rowdy Neighbor used a late takedown for a 10-8 decision over Jackson Knapp at 113. Gunnar Keeney (145) capped the dual with a technical fall.

Alburnett won nine matches with pins from Carson and Reece Klostermann and heavyweight Josiah Redel and a technical fall from Callahan in the win over the Lynx. Carson Klostermann, a two-time state qualifier who placed third a year ago, notched two pins and is 32-1 this season.

“Carson is fun to watch,” Rush said. “He’s dominant right now.”

Lisbon remains hampered by injury and two open weights. The Lions received pins from Indy Ferguson (220), heavyweight Wyatt Smith and two-time state champion Brandon Paez at 120. Smith and Paez each moved to 34-0 this season.

Matthias Kohl (170) and Tiernan Boots at 138 added two-point decisions. Boots, ranked fourth by Hupke Wrestling Productions, tallied three takedowns in the final two periods to upend Alburnett’s No. 2 Brody Neighbor, 7-5.

Boots and Neighbor joined top-ranked Cael Bridgewater, of North Linn, in a stacked weight Thursday night. Bridgewater went 2-0, scoring an 11-1 major over Boots and opening the double dual with a 4-3 decision over Neighbor.

Lisbon Coach Brad Smith earned his 699th career dual win against North Linn. The Lions received pins from Junior Krob (152), Kohl, Ferguson and Smith at heavyweight.

⧉ Related article: Legendary coach Brad Smith will add another accolade: State wrestling Grand March leader

AT LISBON

Alburnett 50, North Linn 24

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

138 pounds – Cael Bridgewater (NL) dec. Brody Neighbor, 4-3 (1,1); 145 – Gunnar Keeney (A) won by forfeit; 152 – Carson Klostermann (A) pinned Reilly Peyton, 1:38 (3,0); 160 – Jarin Peyton (NL) dec. Shayden Washburn, 5-3 SV1 (2,1); 170 – Reece Klostermann (A) pinned Austin McMahon, :55 (1,0)l 182 – Landen Helmrich (NL) pinned Luke Schneider, 4:49 (3,0); 195 – Cole Rauch (NL) pinned River Williams, 2:45 (0,0); 220 – McLane Rauch (NL) pinned Wyatt Kissling, :49 (1,0); Hwt. – Josiah Redel (A) pinned Nathan Nissen, :31 (1,0); 106 – Atlee DeWitt (A) win by forfeit; 113 – Rowdy Neighbor (A) won by forfeit; 120 – Tayten Coufal (A) won by forfeit; 126 – J.J. Callahan (A) tech. fall Landon Thomsen, 17-2 (3,0); 132 – Dawson Becker (A) dec. Tate Woods, 8-4 (2,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Alburnett 12, North Linn 7. Reversals – Alburnett 1, North Linn 1. Escapes – Alburnett 2, North Linn 8. Nearfall points – Alburnett 16, North Linn 6. Penalty points (awarded) – Alburnett 0, North Linn 1. Total match points – Alburnett 44, North Linn 31.

Lisbon 54, North Linn 26

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

145 – Indy Harbaugh (L) won by forfeit; 152 – Junior Krob (L) pinned R. Peyton, 3:37 (2,0); 160 – J. Peyton (NL) major dec. Henry Neymeyer, 11-3 (5,0); 170 – Matthias Kohl (L) pinned McMahon, :52 (1,0); 182 – Helmrich (NL) won by forfeit; 195 – C. Rauch (NL) won by forfeit; 220 – Indy Ferguson (L) pinned M. Rauch, 3:11 (5,0); Hwt. – Wyatt Smith (L) pinned Nissen, 1:05 (3,0); 106 – Wesley Sadler (L) won by forfeit; 113 – Jackson Knapp (L) won by forfeit; 120 – Ben Kelley (L) won by forfeit; 126 – Brandon Paez (L) won by forfeit; 132 – Woods (NL) pinned Lucas Capron, 1:01 (1,0); 138 – Bridgewater (NL) major dec. Tiernan Boots, 11-1 (3,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – North Linn 10, Lisbon 11. Reversals – North Linn 0, Lisbon 0. Escapes – North Linn 8, Lisbon 6. Nearfall points – North Linn 5, Lisbon 0. Penalty points (awarded) – North Linn 0, Lisbon 0. Total match points – North Linn 33, Lisbon 28.

Alburnett 50, Lisbon 24

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

152 – C. Klostermann (A) pinned Krob, 1:26 (2,0); 160 – Washburn (A) pinned Neymeyer, 3:07 (2,0); 170 – Kohl (L) dec. R. Klostermann, 8-6 (1,0); 182 – Schneider (A) won by forfeit; 195 – Williams (A) won by forfeit; 220 – Ferguson (L) pinned Kissling, 1:39 (3,0); Hwt. – Smith (L) pinned Redel, 1:11 (3,0); 106 – DeWitt (A) pinned Elliot Moelman, 4:28 (4,0); 113 – R. Neighbor (A) dec. Knapp, 10-8 (2,1); 120 – Paez (L) pinned Coufal, 1:05 (2,0); 126 – Callahan (A) pinned Kelley, :55 (1,0); 132 – Becker (A) pinned Capron, :49 (1,0); 138 – Boots (L) dec. B. Neighbor, 7-5 (3,1); 145 – Keeney (A) tech. fall Gage Holub, 17-2 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Alburnett 14, Lisbon 13. Reversals – Alburnett 7, Lisbon 4. Escapes – Alburnett 8, Lisbon 6. Nearfall points – Alburnett 21, Lisbon 4. Penalty points (awarded) – Alburnett 2, Lisbon 0. Total match points – Alburnett 73, Lisbon 44.