Alburnett’s Shayden Washburn finds success through focusing on details of wrestling

CEDAR RAPIDS – Alburnett’s Shayden Washburn has become a student of wrestling.

He has transferred what he has learned in practice to competition, helping him school opponents this season.

Washburn was one of four champions and 10 finalists for Alburnett at the J-Hawk Invitational Saturday at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Pirates pulled away in the team race, tallying 270 points and beating runner-up Waukee Northwest by 81.

Washburn, who placed third at the 2024 Class 1A state tournament, defeated Boone’s 3A No. 7 Joseph Pestotnik, 17-4, for the 175-pound title, improving to 28-2 this season. He has parlayed the added wrestling knowledge into success.

“I've been having a lot of confidence since last year at state,” said Washburn, who didn’t allow an offensive point through the semifinals. “One of my main goals is to go out there and attack. I'd like to go out fast, get to my moves and just do what I do best.”

He has dominated most of his opponents, recording 18 pins, five technical falls and a major decision. His second decision of the season came in a 5-3 semifinal win over Fort Dodge’s Jesse Egli.

Learning the intricacies and focusing on the little things have powered his performance.

“He’s taken more of a curiosity to the sport,” Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said. “Now, he’s wondering about techniques and different things that help make him be successful. He just cleans up his technique and then that allows him to wrestle at a higher level. We just keep seeing it week by week.”

Top-ranked Washburn will drill and wrestle with teammates who will challenge him to improve. He often wrestles with coaches, asking them to identify what needs tweaked and provide feedback.

“I think it's more I know I need to learn it so I can get better,” said Washburn, noting his biggest gains have been in the neutral position. “If I don't learn it, then I'm going to stay stagnant and not get any better. I always like to learn it so I can get better and improve.”

Washburn aspires to be a state champion. He has the confidence to achieve it. Rush recognizes the potential as well.

“When you look at the names of that way, you definitely put him as one of those names that could be wrestling Saturday night,” Rush said. “I think that's what he sees, which is why he you see the curiosity and willingness to get better.”

Alburnett advanced 11 of 14 wrestlers into the semifinals, assuring at least top-six finishes. All but two Pirates placed in a field with teams from all three classes. Alburnett went 10-1 in the semifinals, getting titles from Washburn and second-ranked trio of Rowdy Neighbor at 126, Preston Klostermann (138) and 150-pounder Reece Klostermann. Atlee DeWitt (113), Owen Henriksen (120), Cooper Franklin (144), Dawson Becker at 157, Hunter Sauer (165) and 215-pounder Eaghan Fleshman were runners-up for the Pirates.

“They know that this is a tough competition, coming into it,” Rush said. “Honestly, that's what these guys want. They don't want to go wrestle guys that they just go beat on. They want to be pushed and tested, so when you come to a tournament like this, you can't let your guard down. You go out and compete hard. That's what they like to do.”

Iowa City High placed two in the finals in Kendall Kurtz at 120 and Blaine Heick at 190. Kurtz won his first two matches by technical fall and beat Henriksen, 9-6, in the final. Heick finished second.

J-HAWK INVITATIONAL

At C.R. Jefferson

Teams – 1. Alburnett 270, 2. Waukee Northwest 189, 3. Bondurant-Farrar 164.5, 4. Pleasant Valley 158.5, 5. Dallas Center-Grimes 157.5, 6. Fort Dodge 140, 7. Iowa City High 119, 8. Waterloo East 92, 9. West Des Moines Valley 83, 10. Clinton 74, 11. Cedar Falls 73, 12. Muscatine 67, 13. (tie) C.R. Jefferson and Davenport North 50.5, 15. (tie) Boone and Davenport Central 41, 17. Forest City 35, 18. Fort Madison 27.

Championship matches

106 pounds – Carew Christensen (WNW) pinned Chase Miller (CF), :48; 113 – Coby Fiser (BF) dec. Atlee DeWitt (Alb), 6-2; 120 – Kendall Kurtz (ICH) dec. Owen Henriksen (Alb), 9-6; 126 – Rowdy Neighbor (A) major dec. Carter Siebel (PV), 10-1; 132 – Ayden Beck (DCG) major dec. Kash Kiner (WDMV), 16-3; 138 – Preston Klostermann (Alb) pinned Collin Frost (DC), 2:38; 144 – Koy Davidson (FD) major dec. Cooper Franklin (Alb), 14-4; 150 – Reece Klostermann (Alb) pinned Brady Jennings (Clin), 5:11; 157 – Nolan Fellers (BF) dec. Dawson Becker (Alb), 9-6; 165 – Jordan Rial (BF) pinned Hunter Sauer (Alb), 2:48; 175 – Shayden Washburn (Alb) major dec. Joseph Pestotnik (Boone), 17-4; 190 – Andy Franke (Mus) pinned Blaine Heick (ICH), 1:54; 215 – Dreshaun Ross (FD) tech. fall Eaghan Fleshman (Alb), 19-4; Hwt. – Henry Mohr (WNW) dec. Joe Constable (FD), 4-1 SV-1.

G. Wyatt Schultz Outstanding Wrestler - Ross, Ft. Dodge

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com