Tight-knit Independence downs Benton Community to for regional dual title, returns to State Duals

INDEPENDENCE – Independence wrestlers donned shirts that said, “In Doyle We Trust.”

Consider it a tribute to Mustangs Coach Michael Doyle, who is going into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame later this week. The gesture is also indicative of the team’s spirit.

“I've been here for 30 years and our team is really tight,” Doyle said. “They like to joke around and give me a hard time, and that's fine, but our team's very, very close. I think it matters when you have a tight dual. You’re going to need each other and our group really cares about one another. That’s important.”

Fifth-ranked Independence won just six matches but earned bonus points in each, beating No. 17 Benton Community, 32-28, in a Class 2A regional dual final Tuesday at home. The Mustangs claimed their 14th State Duals berth and fifth in the last seven years.

“These kids believe in me and they believe what I'm trying to tell them,” Doyle said. “They'll work hard and we are able to do something fun like this tonight. Now, we get to go to Iowa City and wrestle three more times.”

The Mustangs wore shirts that said, “Best Coach Ever” for the Wamac Conference tournament. They have more in store for Doyle, who earned his 499 th career dual win. Doyle’s longtime assistant and friend, Keith Donnelly, helped the wrestlers conceive and execute the homage.

“He said something about it and everybody just hopped right on board,” 138-pounder Tanner Wilson said. “We thought it was a great idea, and we started putting together ideas for shirts and sharing what we think would be good. It was just really cool. The whole team came together to decide on it.”

Doyle smirked when he said the team likes to give him a hard time and make fun of him for being old.

“Tough love,” Independence senior Tyler Wieland said with a laugh. “But we’re always there for each other through highs and lows.”

The Mustangs endured the highs and lows in its third victory over the Bobcats this season. Benton won the first three matches, including a major decision by 215-pounder Troy Kupka to start the dual. The Bobcats built a 10-0 advantage and led 13-6 after five matches.

Independence pulled away with four straight wins. Carver Wieland scored three takedowns in a 10-1 major decision over Jason Eastman at 126, sparking the win streak. Remy Ressler (132) and Wilson recorded first-period pins and Tyler Wieland added a 10-0 major decision over Eli Kupka at 144, moving ahead 26-13.

“I really like that stretch - the Calvary,” Wieland said. “That's what we call it. Those are the horses.”

Those middle weights have come through consistently all season. They will need to continue to contribute for the Mustangs to succeed.

“That’s what we need them to do,” Doyle said. “It's a lot about matchups. So, there are a lot of good teams. There are a lot of capable teams, winning the state title. It’s going to be like matchups and who can create a favorable matchup for the team.”

Independence’s upper weights allowed fewer bonus points. Ben Anderson (113) broke open a tight match with Jaxson Mehlert, getting a pin in 3:58. Braylen Bieber held a 10-point lead when he won by injury default at 175 to secure the dual with a match left.

“We got a good team here, and we just work hard every day, put in the work, we know we can do good. Everybody' just has to show up and do their part. Everybody knows it.

“I'm real excited about it. I I knew we could do it. I had faith.”

Doyle said 21 of 30 duals have been against ranked foes, including three other State Duals qualifiers from the Wamac. The Mustangs are battle-tested and rely on a total team effort.

“Everybody on our team has a role,” Doyle said. “They have a job and the biggest thing is our team understands it is going to take the team, take everybody. it's not about two or three guys or superstars, it's about our team. I think you can see that tonight that it took everybody.”

Benton advanced to the regional final with a 35-34 victory over No. 16 Solon, avenging a previous loss. The Spartans won eight matches but bonus points powered the Bobcats. Brenden Heying (190), Mehlert (113), Brady Patterson at 150 and 165-pounder Blayke Heying had pins, Brock Corrigan (132) won by technical fall and Eastman added a forfeit for Benton.

Independence will compete at the State Duals Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Quarterfinals for all three classes will begin at 9 a.m.

“I personally think that we can take it,” Wieland said. “I think we could take it. I believe it.”

WEST DELAWARE ROLLS

Second-ranked West Delaware rolled to its eighth straight State Duals appearance, defeating No. 20 North Fayette Valley, 46-25, in a 2A regional dual final Tuesday night in Manchester. The Hawks won nine matches, including the first five, building a 24-0 lead before losing a match.

Ryan Hilby (165), Brent Yonkovic (190), 215-pounder Jeryn Funke, Lucas Peters at 113 and 126-pounder Jarrett Engel all had pins for the Hawks. West Delaware received technical falls from Jax Miller (144) and 157-pounder Liam Weber.

WILLIAMSBURG PINS WAY BACK TO STATE DUALS

Williamsburg’s pin parade is marching on to Saturday’s State Duals tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The third-ranked Raiders posted pins in all nine wins and beat No. 18 West Liberty, 54-24, in a 2A regional final Tuesday at Williamsburg.

The Raiders won six of the first seven bouts and didn’t look back.

“It’s very important in a good dual meet like that to get off to a good start.” Williamsburg Coach Grant Eckenrod said. “Our guys did a good job of that.”

Carson Grier (215), heavyweight Trenton Davies and Ryker DeWitt at 103 opened with three straight pins for Williamsburg. Teammates Hayden Albaugh (120), Lincoln Schropp (126) and Nolan Kent (132) added falls.

Nile Sinn (150), Ethan Prior at 175 and 190-pounder Cael Moore also had first-period pins for the Raiders, who earned their fifth State Duals berth.

MOUNT VERNON UPSETS ASSUMPTION

Mount Vernon won eight matches to upset No. 6 Davenport Assumption, 34-31, in a 2A regional dual final Tuesday at Assumption. The 11 th-ranked Mustangs secured their third straight State Duals appearance and eighth overall.

Cooper Krob (113) and Andrew Dix (215) recorded pins, while top-ranked Jase Jaspers at 144 and 150-pounder Mikey Ryan scored technical falls to lead Mount Vernon.

The Mustangs survived No. 12 Burlington-Notre Dame, 37-35, in the semifinal dual. Caysen Curran won by major decision at 190, Watson Krob (215) followed with a fall and top-ranked heavyweight Ethan Wood received a forfeit to cap Mount Vernon’s win.

TOP-RANKED ALBURNETT DOMINATES

Top-ranked Alburnett continued its dominance into the postseason. The Pirates coasted to its third straight 1A regional dual title Tuesday at home. Alburnett trounced No. 22 Iowa Valley, 75-6, in the final.

The Pirates won 13 of 14 weights, including nine pins and three forfeits.

Alburnett was the State Duals runner-up last season and qualified for the ninth time overall.

JESUP RETURNS TO STATE DUALS

Jesup reached the State Duals for the first time in program history a year ago. The J-Hawks didn’t have to wait as long to return. Fourth-ranked Jesup topped No. 13 Lisbon, 41-22, Tuesday in a 1A regional dual final at home.

Despite losing the first two matches by pin, the J-Hawks won 10 of the final 12 matches. Heavyweight J.D. Sadler and Kayden Lange (144) won by fall and Ayden Bergman (113) had a technical fall for Jesup.

AT INDEPENDENCE

Independence 32, Benton Community 28

215 pounds – Troy Kupka (BC) major dec. Masin Hummel, 9-0; Hwt. – Will Clausen (BC) dec. Gable Eddy, 6-2; 106 – Memphis Bishop (BC) dec. Lyric Wellman, 18-11; 113 – Ben Anderson (I) pinned Jaxson Mehlert, 3:58; 120 – Garrett Kuch (BC) dec. Zach Homan, 7-0; 126 – Carver Wieland (I) major dec. Jason Eastman, 10-1; 132 – Remy Ressler (I) pinned Brock Corrigan, 1:27; 138 – Tanner Wilson (I) pinned Ryan Kohler, 1:22; 144 – Tyler Wieland (I) major dec. Eli Kupka, 10-0; 150 – Brady Patterson (BC) dec. Kam Kremer, 17-10; 157 – Elias Bieschke (BC) dec. Cael Troutman, 13-8; 165 – Blayke Heying (BC) dec. Christopher Meyer, 6-2; 175 – Braylen Bieber (I) won by injury default over Weston Kaestner; 190 – Brenden Heying (BC) won by forfeit

Benton Community 35, Solon 34

190 – Br. Heying (BC) pinned Kyler Jensen, 2:55; 215 – Lucas Feuerbach (S) tech. fall T. Kupka, 16-0; Hwt. – Grant Wilson (S) major dec. Clausen, 19-10; 106 – Anderson Osgood (S) tech. fall Bishop, 16-1; 113 – Mehlert (BC) pinned Quinten Henning, :32; 120 – Jayden Steapp (S) dec. Kuch, 9-8; 126 – Eastman (BC) won by forfeit; 132 – Corrigan (BC) tech. fall Justin Moore, 17-1; 138 – Charlie Karam (S) tech. fall Koehler, 15-0; 144 – Jordan Schmidt (S) dec. E. Kupka, 9-6; 150 – Patterson (BC) pinned Evan Burg, 2:31; 157 – Carson Kidwell (S) dec. Bieschke, 8-5; 165 – Bl. Heying (BC) pinned Teague Williams, 1:05; 175 – Jackson Geuerbach (S) won by forfeit.

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