Big-time Bears

DES MOINES - Cade Jones celebrated at center mat in front of a sellout crowd at Wells Fargo Arena, jumped into his coaches' arms and then sprinted off the arena floor.

The West Branch junior probably reflected the excitement of the Bears' fans after a memorable team performance at the Iowa High School Athletic Association last week. West Branch advanced all three state qualifiers to championship matches and produced its best team finish, placing fifth with 66 points.

The highlight was Jones' pin over Clarksville's Caleb Ciavarelli in the 195-pound championship Saturday night, becoming just the Bears' second state champion and first for third-year head coach Marc Juergens.

“It was my first time ever getting a state championship,” said Jones, who had a 43-6 record. “I want to bring another back next year.”

Jones whipped Ciavarelli and then threw in the legs, decking Caiavarelli in 2:17. Juergens said Jones can achieve whatever he can believe.

"He's so explosive of a kid when he wants to be," Juergens said. "If he wants it, he can go out and take it anytime he wants."

Jones, a standout running back that helped lead the Bears football team to three straight semifinal appearances, jumped into the arms of Juergens after the win. The smaller Juergens joked that he wore his back out catching Jones in the air.

"I'm a little bigger than he is but he whips me in practice," Jones said. "He pushed me the whole year. I guess I was paying him back."

Soon after receiving his state bracket and gold medal, Jones described the title and post-match experience as one of the most electrifying moments in his life. He was already looking forward to working on capturing a second crown.

“I want next year to start already. We have a long time until then,” Jones said. “You know, I'm a champion today, but tomorrow I'm going to be back to another wrestler. It's all about getting better and prepping for next year.”

The Bears have been getting better and had one of its best seasons. They also qualified for the State Duals last week for the first time in school history, placing third and finishing with a 22-3 record despite only having about 20 wrestlers.

Seniors Jake Slocum (47-5) and Derrick Miller (46-6) capped their careers with runner-up performances at 145 and 220, respectively. Slocum ended as a three-time state qualifier, while Miller reached state the last two seasons. They have made big contributions to the foundation of the Bears program.

“It's been a pretty fun week,” Juergens said. “It's tough to see those seniors go out the way they did. Looking back at the week, that's a pretty big accomplishment.”

Kind of deja vu

Independence's Nick Fuller absorbed a blow that led to a black eye in districts.

“It was a meat grinder,” Fuller said.

But Saturday, the star 170-pounder ranked No. 2 by The Predicament ground up a spotless No. 1 finish with a shutout of Solon's J.J. Hanus.

Fuller, who didn't allow a point at state, also got a dose of the weird - in a good way - in the several minutes surrounding his landmark triumph.

Erik Lux of South Tama, who won the crown at 160, followed his brother, Kyle, who won the title in that weight class last year.

Who'd Kyle Lux beat then?

Fuller.

“It's fun,” Fuller said of the situation, with 20-20 hindsight. “Congrats to that kid. It was cool to see his brother won it and he won it. It's different. Glad it wasn't at my weight Lux won it.”

Not this time.

“I just hit my moves,” Fuller said. “Hit some tilts, got some back points, took it to him.”

Spartan Pride

Solon's Cody Fritz and J.J. Hanus fell one win short of state tournament titles Saturday, but that didn't diminish the overall performance of the team, which qualified more wrestlers for state (seven) than it ever had before.

“A lot of guys came in this year and just got after it,” Fritz said after his semifinals win.

Three Spartans placed: Fritz (runner-up, 152), Hanus (runner-up, 170), and Jay Pike (fifth at 220).

Honored roll

Local schools were represented during the awards ceremony before Saturday night's finals.

Williamsburg Coach Grant Eckenrod and his staff were named 2012 Class 2A Coach of the Year. Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson and his staff earned the award in 2A.

Iowa City High administrator D'Anne Kroemer was selected Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association Athletic Director of the Year.

Odds and ends

The IHSAA State Wrestlling tournament was sold out for a 25th straight year ... Eddyville-Blakesburg's Megan Black, a two-time state qualifier, became the first female wrestler to place at the state meet, finishing eighth in Class 1A...Des Moines Roosevelt's John Meeks won the Class 3A 138-pound state title, becoming the 21st four-time state champion, fifth undefeated four-timer and sixth to have an unbeaten prep career...Southeast Polk's Cory Clark became the 20th four-time state champion, winning the 126-pound title in 3A.