Benton Community’s Brenden Heying beats two ranked foes to win home wrestling tournament

VAN HORNE – Benton Community’s Brenden Heying welcomes a challenge.

The Bobcats’ second-ranked 190-pounder faces plenty with his path intersecting with Anamosa’s No. 3 Austin Scranton and West Delaware’s No. 4 Brent Yonkovic regularly.

“I feel like it’s great for me seeing that competition, being able to keep improving and knowing what I need to work on,” Heying said, “because those are the top guys I will see at state. I love having that competition every weekend.”

For the second time this season, Heying topped both Yonkovic and Scranton to capture tournament gold. Heying used a second-period takedown for a 4-2 victory over Scranton in the finals of the Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod Invitational Saturday at Benton. He was voted the Outstanding Wrestler by the tournament’s coaches.

This was the third bout between Heying and the Blue Raiders returning state champion. They split one-point matches with Scranton winning last week at Osage.

“He’s a tough opponent,” Heying said. “Every time we wrestle is a dog fight. I know I can get to my shots against anybody and that’s what I did.”

After a scoreless first, Heying took control with an escape and takedown in the second. He was able to finish a shot, which didn’t occur a week ago.

“I know he likes stepping in that over-collar tie and I can get to my shot there,” Heying said. “It was big. It helped me to be able to win that match with the takedown.”

Heying gutted out a 1-0 win in the semifinals over Yonkovic. He used a second-period escape and third-period ride out to reach the final. He is 2-0 this season and faces him again Thursday.

“I feel like it’s great for me seeing that competition, being able to keep improving and knowing what I need to work on,” Heying said, “because those are the top guys I will see at state. I love having that competition every weekend.”

Home sweet home was a little sweeter with the triumph. Conquering the tough bracket was a little more special in his own gym at his home tournament.

“I was able to put a show on for our home crowd,” Heying said. “It always feels good.”

Anamosa’s Hudson Scranton captured the 150-pound title. He scored a takedown in the final 10 seconds to top Williamsburg’s Nile Sinn, 5-4.

Union Community crowned a pair of champions. Coy Mehlert provided a spark to start the final round. Mehlert, ranked third in 2A, faced Waukee Northwest’s Class 3A No. 1 Carew Christensen for the 106 title.

“I knew I could go out there and beat him,” said Mehlert, noting he beat Christensen twice before high school. “I know he is a tough opponent. I wrestled him in the past. All my teammates said let it fly, so that's what I did.”

Mehlert overcame a 4-1 deficit in the second to tie it at six apiece in the third. He countered a Christensen shot, putting him on his back during a scramble and getting the fall in 4:35. Mehlert recalled his teammates’ advice to “let it fly” and did whatever was necessary for the victory. A move that he almost executed in the second period.

“It all worked out perfectly,” Mehlert said. “I got a little funky at the end. I needed something big, so I did what I could.”

Two-time state champion and top-ranked Jace Hedeman also won gold for the Knights. He scored takedowns in each of the final two periods for a 7-2 decision over No. 2 Aaron Boone of Washington (Iowa) for the 132 championship.

West Delaware crowned three champions in Jax Miller (144), Liam Weber (157), Blake Mather (175) and 215-pounder Jeryn Funke. The Hawks finished fourth with 170.5 points.

Don Bosco brother duo Hendrix and Hayden Schwab, sons of University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab, claimed consecutive titles. Hendrix scored his second fall of the tournament, pinning Benton’s Jaxson Mehlert in 1:37 of the 113 final.

Not to be outdone, Hayden, a 1A state runner-up last year, tallied six takedowns in a 22-6 technical fall over Union two-time state champion Brayden Bohnsack for the 120 title.

The Dons won the team title with 184.5 points, 3 ½ ahead of Dallas Center-Grimes. Waukee Northwest was third with 179.5.

BENTON COMMUNITY BOBCAT JERRY ECKENROD INVITATIONAL

At Van Horne

Teams – 1. Don Bosco 184.5, 2. Dallas Center-Grimes 181, 3. Waukee Northwest 179.5, 4. West Delaware 170.5, 5. Davenport Assumption 167, 6. Independence 159, 7. Benton Community 148, 8. Williamsburg 143, 9. Union Community 117.5, 10. Anamosa 79, 11. West Liberty 72, 12. Washington (Iowa) 45, 13. C.R. Jefferson 35, 14. Vinton-Shellsburg 32, 15. Centerville 26.5, 16. North Linn 23, 17. East Marshall/GMG 11.5.

Championship matches

106 pounds – Coy Mehlert (UC) pinned Carew Christensen (WNW), 4:35; 113 – Hendrix Schwab (DB) pinned Jaxson Mehlert (BC), 1:37; 120 – Hayden Schwab (DB) tech. fall Brayden Bohnsack (UC), 22-6; 126 – Brody Buhman (DA) dec. Blake Irvine (DB), 8-5; 132 – Jace Hedeman (UC) dec. Aaron Boone (Wash), 7-2; 138 – Dawson Youngblut (DB) dec. Cadyn Wild (DA), 1-0; 144 – Jax Miller (WD) dec. Tyler Wieland; 150 – Hudson Scranton (Ana) dec. Nile Sinn (Will), 5-4; 157 – Liam Weber (WD) tech. fall Gabe Rubino (WNW), 17-0; 165 – Kyler Knaack (DB) tech. fall Tyde Nelsen (DCG), 19-4; 174 – Blake Mather (WD) dec. Braylen Bieber (Ind), 6-3ame ; 190 – Brenden Heying (BC) dec. Austin Scranton (Ana), 4-2; 215 – Jeryn Funke (WD) dec. Troy Kupka (BC), 1-1 ultimate tiebreaker; Hwt. – Henry Mohr (WNW) pinned Trenton Davies (Will), 1:00.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com