Experience and camaraderie power Linn-Mar’s dual success

MARION — Some teams might be counting the remaining days of the season, winding down and welcoming a break from the grind.

Linn-Mar isn’t one of them. Actually, the Lions keep hitting the weight room before school to prep for a postseason charge.

“Our coaches do a really good job, making sure everyone in the room enjoys the sport,” top-ranked junior Tate Naaktgeboren said. “We said it (Monday) morning during our lift, most people are broken and not feeling well and want the season to be over. We’re coming in at whatever the time is early in the morning to lift and a bunch of us have smiles on our face to get after it. We’re still hungry.”

Fifth-ranked Linn-Mar will attempt to return to the state duals tournament for the second straight season and seventh overall when it hosts No. 15 Pleasant Valley and No. 23 Iowa City High on Thursday night for Class 3A regional duals.

The Little Hawks (10-9) and the Spartans (22-3) wrestle in the regional semifinal, beginning at 6 p.m. Linn-Mar wrestle the winner shortly after for a state berth.

“Both teams present a little different challenge for us,” Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher said. “We’ll see who comes out of that dual and if they put their varsity out. We’ll see how that goes. You never know this time of year.”

The Lions are 17-1 and won the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division. They have not lost to a 3A team in duals and are led by ranked wrestlers Brayden Parke (126), Kane Naaktgeboren (132), 145-pounder Grant Kress, Tate Naaktgeboren at 170 and heavyweight Luke Gaffney. All were part of last season’s team that placed sixth at state duals.

“It starts with our five guys that had state experience last year.” Streicher said. “They really have been the backbone of our team. All five of those guys have only one, two or three losses and they have not lost many of those matches in dual meets.

“We have five pretty good chances at wins and bonus points with those five guys, coming through for us.”

Balance has been another key factor of success. Some of the less decorated wrestlers have made gains and followed the hard-working leaders to solidify the Lions’ lineup. Linn-Mar has been at its best when performances are aggressive and physical.

“It has been someone different every meet — in some of these other close meets we’ve had — that have gotten a win here or there or a pin and come from behind,” Streicher said. “It’s been those five guys, setting the tone, and then we have another two, three or four guys step up, which makes for harder matchups. It’s a little more balanced than what we’ve been in the past.”

Camaraderie and unity is stronger within the team than two years ago, extending beyond the mat as well. The Lions’ energy is almost palpable when someone gets the pin and teammates seem to thrive on others’ achievements. The excitement bleeds into other support groups.

“I think our relationships and team chemistry have really helped us,” Tate Naaktgeboren said. “We help each other out. We’ve got each other’s backs. When you’ve got each other’s backs, you’re strong as one with the whole team than being out there fighting by yourself.

“We’re supporting each other throughout our matches. You can’t get much better than wrestling at Linn-Mar for a high school. I mean our student section brings it, our team brings it, our parents bring it and everyone just brings it. You feed off that.”

Linn-Mar qualified for state duals from 2011-14. This could be just the second streak of appearances for the Lions. They also have a chance to produce their best finish since third in the program’s inaugural trip in 2002.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Tate Naaktgeboren said. “It’s what we’ve been working for. I know I’m excited.”

Western Dubuque is the only other Gazette-area school in the 3A field. The 24th-ranked Bobcats will face No. 8 North Scott in the semifinal with the winner, taking on No. 6 Bettendorf for a state duals berth.

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