Freshman Caleb Brown pins ranked foe to cap Lisbon’s dual victory over rival Mount Vernon

LISBON – Caleb Brown said he didn’t look at the team score before he took the mat.

The Lisbon freshman wanted to avoid any added pressure. In the back of his mind, he knew the situation and what was at stake in the final bout against rival Mount Vernon.

“I knew it was going to be close at the end,” Brown said. “I knew it was going to come down to my match. I wrestled my hardest and found a way to win.”

Brown displayed his resilience, overcoming a four-point deficit to pin fourth-ranked Watson Krob in 3:29 of the 175-pound match and securing Lisbon’s 39-29 victory over Class 2A No. 8 Mount Vernon Saturday at the Lions’ Den Duals. 1A No. 12 Lisbon went 5-0 to win its home tournament, while the Mustangs placed second.

“We talk a lot about wrestling against good competition and to beat really good competition you have to have 14 guys, who fight hard for each other and don’t give up,” Lisbon second-year head coach Aaron Helmrich said. “The guys that are getting major decisioned when they’re supposed to get pinned or the guys that aren’t supposed to win get a victory. It takes them all and our guys wrestled really well today.”

Brown was the epitome of that approach. He took the mat with Lisbon owning a four-point lead. Mount Vernon needed a major decision to tie and force criteria and a technical fall or pin for the win.

Brown gave up two takedowns in the first. Krob chose to start the second period on their feet. As they neared the edge of the mat, Brown hit a throw and recorded the fall.

“He was pressuring in pretty good so I shifted my weight and tossed him,” Brown said. “I put him on his back.”

Brown admitted that he has a “love-hate relationship” with the move. He has gotten caught, trying to force it. All the factors fell into place this time.

“His opportunity was there,” Helmrich said. “He took it. I was pretty proud of that.”

The Lisbon crowd erupted, teammates cheered and even the towel boys that signal the referees when time expire were jumping up and down hugging each other.

“It was a great environment,” Brown said. “I was excited.”

Mount Vernon took an early lead with major decisions from Caysen Curran (190) and Kael Riniker at 215 and a pin from heavyweight Ethan Wood.

Lisbon clawed back with six straight wins, including pins from Jack Gogel (106) and Jackson Knapp at 138, a technical fall from 113-pounder Cael Stricker and Wes Sadler’s major over Jake Haugse at 120.

The back and forth continued with back-to-back pins from Mount Vernon’s Jase Jaspers (144) and Mikey Ryan (150) and a Lisbon pin from Tiernan Boots at 157. The Mustangs’ Cooper Hird topped Gage Holub, 13-9, to set up the winner-take-all conclusion.

“I think our guys were real focused during the two weeks off,” Helmrich said. “We talked about big duals right at the beginning of the year. We had this one today and Alburnett on Thursday. The guys have really responded and are looking good.”

Lisbon improved to 12-0 in duals. The Lions also won the Iowa City Regina Invitational before break and opened the season with a strong showing at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational. He has been pleased with their performances, meshing a variety of styles for success.

“We have four or five guys who are real finesse and technical guys,” Helmrich said. “We have some really good brawlers. Tiernan Boots is a brawler. He’s going to give you everything he’s got. Gavin Carmer at 190 and Jacob Walerius are brawlers.

“Then, we have guys who are grinders, like Cade Happel. He might not beat you with his strength but in the third he’s going to give you everything he’s got until it’s over.”

The day was also special for Boots. The two-time state medalist earned his 150 th career win with a pin over Cedar Rapids Washington’s Aaron Butikofer to open the day. Boots posted four pins Saturday, giving him 154 total victories and 96 career pins.

Boots is part of a senior class that had to wait for to get the better of the program just about a mile down the road.

“Good for the seniors,” Helmrich said. “I think this is the first time they’ve ever beat them in their high school careers. It made them pretty happy.”

Lisbon also had wins over Washington (72-9), Clayton Ridge (72-6), AC/GC (46-26) and Highland (72-6).

Mount Vernon also defeated Clayton Ridge (71-12), AC/GC (63-18), Highland (66-12) and Washington (79-0).

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com