HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Catching up with Xavier wrestling team

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By Alex Fox, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS  - The Xavier wrestling restling team recently competed in  the Marion tournament, finishing fourth with 134 points.

Senior Jack Boland won the 182-pound title after pinning a Louisa-Muscatine wrestler in 5 minutes and 5 seconds. Jerry Duball placed second for the Saints at 120 pounds. Tyler Laska, Jacob Meyers and Jared Joens all placed third in their respective weight classes.

The team competed in anMVC triangular Jan. 19 at Xavier. The Saints lost to Jefferson 60-18, and Dubuque Senior, 62-15. Sean Ickes won both of his matches, one by fall and one by decision. Nick Drahozal, Raymond Wright, Joens and Boland won a match a piece.

"We all go into the wrestling room every day to get ourselves better individually, and we know that the team's success will come with that,” sophomore Sean Ickes said.

The team wrestled Jan. 21 at the Clyde Bean Duals at Iowa City High, placing in a tie for  fifth with a 1-4 record. The Saints got their team win against Keokuk, 43-36.

“We're trying to get better always and as seniors we're trying to be leaders to everyone on this team,” senior John Rodriguez said.

 Duball and Boland won all of their five matches, including three pins apiece. Ickes and Laska both won four matches.

The Saints wrestled Jan. 23 at Dubuque Wahlert, going 1-1 with a 54-22 win over Waterloo East and losing to Dubuque Wahlert, 41-23.  Xavier received eight forfeits in the match against Waterloo East and  Ickes recorded a pin.  Boland, Will Wright, Duball,  Laska and Camden Chicchelly all earned wins for the Saints against Wahlert.

The team is 7-23 in duals.