Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Wyatt Vlasek makes gains from strong mental approach

CEDAR RAPIDS — Wyatt Vlasek said he’s always had the physical ability to compete with the top wrestlers in the state.

The Cedar Rapids Prairie senior and returning state qualifier has developed the mental edge. That element has made him a better all-around wrestler and boosted him to sixth in the Class 3A individual rankings at 157 pounds.

“It’s all come together because of my mindset,” Vlasek said about a team program the Hawks have implemented this season. “Everything has come together this year because I’m just happy to be wrestling instead of worried.”

Vlasek posted a pin for his 20th win of the season and helped No. 9 Prairie to a 34-30 victory over Cedar Rapids Xavier in a Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division boys’ wrestling dual Thursday night at Prairie. The Hawks also won the girls’ dual, 75-4, on Senior Night for both programs.

Vlasek posted a first-period fall over Germain Ngoma that capped a five-match win streak, giving the Hawks a lead for good.

“He’s just a different kid, right now,” Prairie Coach Derick Ball said. “It’s a testament to him buying into our system and he’s reaping the benefits.”

Ball has witnessed the mental growth. Increased toughness and maturity has produced key wins, including a 3-2 decision over West Des Moines Valley’s No. 7 Cinsere Clark in the semifinals of the Ames Invitational last Saturday.

“Wyatt was always somebody when things weren’t going his way, he might have a lot of self-doubt and feel sorry for himself,” Ball said. “It’s really changed him as a wrestler. Every weekend it’s a win over a ranked wrestler and another ranked win.”

Vlasek wakes up to reminders of the mental tenets and revisits them before going to sleep. The key principles like confidence, aggressiveness and relentlessness and enjoying the opportunity to wrestle are posted for him to see daily.

“I printed that out and put them on my mirror,” Vlasek said. “Every morning and night I try to read it. It’s what you strive to live by as a wrestler.”

The philosophy also involves a physical action that serves as a “reset” button. For Vlasek, it’s a quick hand through his hair, allowing him to refocus and relax. All the precepts are applied to more than just wrestling. Vlasek has noticed a difference away from the sport as well.

“I find myself doing that all the time through the school day,” Vlasek said. “I’ve been applying this stuff to everything in my life. Wrestling really does translate to regular life.”

The team dynamic has made an impact. Vlasek said he hasn’t had a better season with a team. He said he has always wanted to reach the state duals tournament and the Hawks have the potential.

“It’s a better culture,” Vlasek said. “Everybody is pushing each other to get better.”

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Prairie (8-1) won eight matches, receiving pins from Vlasek and Reese Lerch (138), a technical fall from state medalist Dylan Munson — who bumped up to 113 — and major decisions from Chase Watkinson at 106 and 150-pounder Casey Kelley.

Prairie’s Tyler Lee scored all six points in the second period, including a takedown and two nearfall, for a 6-2 decision over Kale Leymaster at 132. The Hawks’ Alex Bumba tallied three takedowns to top Adam Cook, 7-4, in a battle of state qualifiers at 144.

“I thought we were flat,” Ball said. “They (Saints) were scrappy and pushed the pace. They shoved us around.

“This week created adversity with the weather. We haven’t been able to train like we would’ve liked to. Wrestling demands discipline. It was apparent which guys did some things the last couple days and who did not. The sun is still going to come up tomorrow. Stuff happens. You’ve got to wake up the next day, figure out what you did wrong and fix it.”

Xavier (6-6) opened the dual with a pin from heavyweight Eddie Becu. Jack Foster (126) built a 12-1 lead over Gavin Rogers before getting a pin in 4:35 to tie the dual at 12-12. The Saints closed with four straight wins. Dane Melchior recorded two takedowns with a four-point move in the second for a 7-2 decision over No. 12 Rigley Cook at 165. No. 8 Ronan Thomas followed with a pin at 175 and Grant Helmle’s first-period takedown and third-period reversal was enough to upend No. 11 Colin Velky, 4-2, at 190 for the Saints.

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Photos: Xavier at Prairie boys’ wrestling

In the girls’ dual, Prairie won four of five contested matches. Sadie Reuter (110), Karsyn Roling (125) and Addison Bowman recorded pins. Marlee Peyton added a 6-4 decision over Keira Richmond at 140 for the Hawks.

Xavier’s Eleanor Pfab earned her 24th win of the season. She had a takedown and eight nearfall on three turns for an 11-1 major decision over Abagayle Albert at 115.

Boys: Cedar Rapids Prairie 34, Cedar Rapids Xavier 30

AT C.R. PRAIRIE

Hwt. – Eddie Becu (CRX) pinned Romeo Klein, 4:59; 106 pounds – Chase Watkinson (CRP) major dec. Elliott Gnewuch, 9-1; 113 – Dylan Munson (CRP) tech. fall Bryce Naber, 26-11; 120 – Teagen Kendall (CRP) dec. Migueal Astorga, 6-1; 126 – Jack Foster (CRX) pinned Gavin Rogers, 4:35; 132 – Tyler Lee (CRP) dec. Kale Leymaster, 6-2; 138 – Reece Lerch (CRP) pinned Brady Brueck, :58; 144 – Alex Bumba (CRP) dec. Adam Cook, 7-4; 150 – Casey Kelley (CRP) major dec. Dusty Cook, 15-7; 157 – Wyatt Vlasek (CRP) pinned Germaine Gnoma, 1:32; 165 – Dane Melchior (CRX) dec. Rigley Koch, 7-2; 175 – Ronan Thomas (CRX) pinned Elijah Kent, 1:27; 190 – Grant Helmle (CRX) dec. Collin Velky, 4-2; 215 – Jean Ngoma (CRX) won by forfeit.

Girls: Cedar Rapids Prairie 75, Cedar Rapids Xavier 4

170 pounds – Camryn Cothrell (CRP) won by forfeit; 190 – Aliya Phillips (CRP) won by forfeit; 235 – Emelia Reyes (CRP) won by forfeit; 100 – Elizabeth Burns (CRP) won by forfeit; 105 – Marie Burns (CRP) won by forfeit; 110 – Sadie Reuter (CRP) pinned Joey Hines, 1:16; 115 – Eleanor Pfab (CRX) major dec. Abagayle Albert, 11-1; 120 – Alix Zahn (CRP) won by forfeit; 125 – Karsyn Roling (CRP) pinned Keara Adams, 4:45; 130 – Mackenzie Childers (CRP) won by forfeit; 135 – Ciara Gomez-Bryant (CRP) won by forfeit; 140 – Marlee Peyton (CRP) dec. Keira Richmond, 6-4; 145 – Luisa Meade (CRP) won by forfeit; 155 – Addison Bowman (CRP) pinned Hailey Pfab, 5:07.

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