Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Logan Redig posts pair of wins in season-opening dual victories

ALBURNETT — Logan Redig wanted something more.

The Cedar Rapids Prairie senior wasn’t satisfied with the finish of the last two seasons, so he made a concerted effort to be his best, attending more club workouts with his buddies and making every session of the Hawks’ mental toughness training.

“I’m ready to make a difference,” Redig said. “I just really want to get down to that state tournament this year. It is kind of a big thing for me.”

Redig provided a boost in Prairie’s double-dual sweep Tuesday night of Clear Creek Amana and host Alburnett. He posted two pins to secure a 39-36 win over the Clippers and a 40-27 victory against the Pirates.

“It went pretty well,” Redig said. “I put in a lot of offseason work. I’m always working hard to try to do the best that I can.”

Prairie Coach Derick Ball said Redig decided to dedicate himself to improve during the offseason. Redig has applied the program’s mantra of commitment, discipline, accountability and respect. Now, it’s time to reap the rewards.

“He deserves everything he is getting,” Ball said. “I’m happy for him. He’s a nose to the grindstone kind of guy.”

Ball added that Redig is well-respected by his teammates and is a role model, demonstrating a good example for others to emulate. Ball praised his work ethic, a welcome message for Redig.

“I’m glad to hear that from my coaches,” Redig said. “It’s nice to know I have constant support from them.”

Prairie held a 33-30 lead with two matches remaining against CCA. The Hawks’ 152-pounder held a 2-0 lead when he pinned Caden Baxter in 3:11, making it a nine-point lead and putting it out of reach before the last bout.

The Hawks had a greater advantage but the Pirates still had a chance for a comeback, trailing 34-15 with four matches left. Redig cinched up a cradle against Shayden Washburn, recording a first-period fall and iced the finale.

“I wasn’t aware of it,” Redig said of the team scores. “I knew the Clear Creek Amana dual was close coming down to the end. It’s good to know I was able to wrestle the best I could and get business done.”

Five Hawks went 2-0 Tuesday. Heavyweight Carter Dawley produced two pins, while two-time state finalist Blake Gioimo (120/126) had a pin and major decision. Dylan Munson (106) and Alex Bumba (126/132) each had a pin and decision.

Prairie overcame a slow start and was sharper against the Pirates.

“It was a nice wakeup call,” Ball said. “I feel like we came back and wrestled a lot better.”

Alburnett (1-1) opened the night with a decisive 50-21 win over the Clippers. The Pirates won 10 of 14 weights, receiving pins from Reece Klostermann (170), Atlee Dewitt (106), Preston Klostermann at 126, 138-pounder Brody Neighbor, Gunnar Keeney at 145 and Washburn. Carson Klostermann added a technical fall at 160.

“This is a good night of wrestling,” Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said. “Three good duals.

“We have some things to clean up. We will.”

In a matchup of ranked wrestlers, Alburnett’s Class 1A No. 5 Rowdy Neighbor defeated CCA’s No. 7 Cale Nash, 9-4, at 113. The Pirates won a combined 16 weights overall.

“We wrestled really well,” Rush said. “The biggest positive is our guys just fight. They might get out-skilled by some guys, but they don’t give up and they just keep fighting.”

CCA (0-2) had three wrestlers go 2-0. Ethan Williams (195) and Carson Bromwell (220) each had two pins. Kaden Phan notched a decision and major decision for the Clippers.