HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Xavier made great strides in 2011-12 wrestling season

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By John Richardson, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Xavier wrestling program  made leaps and bounds during the 2011-12  season.

The team has seen its fair share of success, as the start of a new dynasty is showing hopeful signs for the future. The Saints ended the season at the state tournament in Des Moines with two wrestlers.

Sophomore Sean Ickes and senior Jack Boland both qualified for the state tournament, which ran last Feb. 16-18 at Wells Fargo Arena.

The tournament is a double elimination format, with the winner moving on to the next round. Ickes was pinned in his state tournament debut and lost the second by decision. Boland won his first match by decision, but lost by decision - by one point - in his second match. His state run ended after being pinned in his third match.

The two still felt good about their accomplishments of making the state tournament and being able to represent Xavier.

“It was a great way to motivate me for next year," Ickes said.  "I got a taste of what state was like so I can use the experience I gained this year to be more successful at next year's  state tournament.”

“It's been a great experience for me to represent Xavier for the past four years," Boland said. "We made a huge step this year as a team and have dramatically improved.

"I am convinced this trend will continue, but I know the experience I have had here has been a good one. It was an honor to wear the Xavier uniform at state.”