Don Bosco claims Class 1A wrestling state duals title

CORALVILLE — In the week leading up to State Duals, Chris Ortner did not know who would be available from day to day.

The Don Bosco boys wrestling coach estimates as many as 11 wrestlers missed time in the practice room this past week due to injury and illness.

Despite the interruptions in preparation, the Dons arrived at Xtream Arena Saturday and did what they do best.

Win the whole darn thing.

“I’m just really proud of those guys,” Ortner said after Don Bosco edged Jesup, 36-30, in the finals of the Class 1A dual team tournament. “If people knew what we’ve been through, what they have been through, those are some tough guys there. Those are some tough guys right there to do what they did today.”

The victory gave Don Bosco (21-3) its state-best 16th championship at State Duals. No other school in Iowa has even reached double digits. The Dons have now won the Class 1A crown six years in a row and eight of the last nine.

“It’s a tradition,” Ortner said. “Growing up there, you feel a sense of responsibility to keep the thing going and keep going strong. We’re not going to win every year and it’s not really about winning. It’s about doing our best and that is what we strive to do every year. That’s what we are going to continue to do.”

Through four weights, Don Bosco had jumped out to a 15-4 lead and appeared destined for one its patented routs. Jesup managed to get within 18-14 after a pin by three-time state medalist and Michigan recruit Cooper Hinz at 132 pounds, plus a major decision by state placewinner Kaden Lange at 144.

With Don Bosco leading the dual, 24-18, Jesup’s 165-pounder Tyce Larson was ahead of Ty Christensen in the third period by a single point. Hold on, and the J-Hawks would be within three points with a head of steam. But Christensen turned the tables with a pair of late takedowns to put the Dons up by nine at 27-18.

“In my mind, I’m telling myself I have got to fight,” Christensen said. “And persevere through anything that comes.”

Don Bosco junior Ethan Christoffer followed up Christensen’s heroics with a thunderous pin at 175 pounds. Suddenly, the Dons had a 33-18 lead with three bouts to go.

“It was huge,” Christensen said. “When we saw that, we all felt that the dual was over. We had it won.”

That feeling proved to be a bit premature as Jesup (28-2) piled up 12 quick points with a forfeit at 190 and a had-to-have-it pin by Andrew Devlin at 215 that cut the Dons’ advantage to 33-30 with just the heavyweight match remaining.

After allowing an early reversal, Don Bosco junior Kyler Sallis scored a takedown in the second period to take the lead for good in a 5-2 decision over Jesup’s Dax Youngblut.

“All my training and preparation for this one moment,” Sallis said. “It is what I have worked for. I just gritted it out, foot on the line and I just wrestled the way I know how to wrestle.”

With another state championship trophy headed to Gilbertville, Don Bosco will take a couple of days off to rest and heal before beginning preparations for a 1A district tournament Feb. 14 at Monona. There, the Dons will attempt to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for the traditional state tournament, where their streak of 1A state titles currently stands at seven.

“Glad to get through today,” Ortner said. “I think we’ll be better here in a couple of weeks. Some guys will be considerably better.”

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