Iowa City High continues progress that helped Little Hawks reload boys’ wrestling lineup

IOWA CITY – Iowa City High Coach Cory Connell said he didn’t know what to expect this season.

The Little Hawks lost two state champions, two state medalists, a couple more qualifiers and three other contributors to graduation. It didn’t take long for them to answer any questions about the strength of their lineup.

“I was like it is kind of rebuilding a year in a sense of how I looked at how much we lost,” Connell said. “Once we started getting at the year, I’m like this team is a lot better than I even thought it would be. In practice. I was like we're looking pretty good. but I didn't know how it would look in competition.

“Every time they step on the mat, they are better.”

City High returned from the break with a team title at Maquoketa’s Zimmerman Invitational and placed fifth with 10 medalists Saturday at the Mendenhall Invitational in Ames. The Little Hawks are 5-5 overall but own a 4-0 Mississippi Valley Conference record, entering Thursday’s conference dual against Class 3A No. 24 Dubuque Hempstead.

“I wasn't expecting this and I didn’t know what to expect,” Connell said. “They've been coming in and working hard on a daily basis. They 're in the practice room. They're having fun, but they're learning everything. They’re developing. From the first day they competed until now, I think a lot of them would kind of beat the crap out themselves from the start of this season really.”

Not only did Connell say the Little Hawks would beat the version of themselves that start the season but he likes how this team stacks up to last year’s squad, even though it lacks the elite competitors.

“We are a more complete team,” Connell said. “Like the Mendenhall and the Dan Gable Donnybrook, we scored more points this year than we did last year. We have scored more points, or finished higher, at every tournament we've been so far this year.”

City High won the Zimmerman by 72 points over Iowa City Liberty, crowning three champions with five more finalists. At Ames, nine finished sixth or better. Raphael Etuma led the way as runner-up at 215 pounds. Kane Willey was third at heavyweight, beating teammate Shaaban Naim in the placing round, and Kendall Kurtz (120) also earned fourth for the Little Hawks. Both Willey and Naim defeated ranked opponents at Ames.

Kurtz, who won a title at Maquoketa, is ranked seventh. Willey is 10 th, Etuma 11 th and 175-pounder Mason Tilley sits at No. 12. City High has competitors with different strengths and skills, meshing together for a solid team.

“I'd say everybody's different,” Connell said. “I don't think we have a one type of person or one type of wrestler.

“We have a bunch of different kids that are just working hard and getting better.”

The Little Hawks can make a case to crack the Iowa High School Athletic Association dual rankings with a win Thursday. They will also face a tough field Saturday at the annual Cedar Rapids Jefferson J-Hawk Invitational.

City High’s entire schedule has been filled with consistent challenges, attending the Donnybrook, Battle of Waterloo and Mendenhall with its home Bean-Smith Duals and the MVC Super Meet the following two weekends. The Little Hawks have reaped the rewards of tough competition.

“We carry one of the toughest tournament schedules there is in the state,” Connell said. “That's kind of the part of it.

“Every weekend has been a gauge for them. … They've just been going out, competing and getting better.”

PRAIRIE POSTS RUNNER-UP FINISH

Cedar Rapids Prairie posted a runner-up finish Saturday at the two-day Ottumwa Invitational. The Hawks were second to North Scott, placing one spot ahead of Iowa City West.

Prairie’s Dylan Munson (113), Louden Bloxham (175) and heavyweight Romeo Klein each won titles, while Quinton Alexander was second at 190.

West was led by champions Alexander Pierce and Justin Avila at 120 and 150, respectively.

LIONS ROAR TO TEAM TITLE

Lisbon captured the team title Saturday at the Tripoli Invitational. The Lions scored 235.5 points, topping runner-up Denver by 22. Jack Gogel (106), Wes Sadler at 120 and 138-pounder Jackson Knapp won titles for Lisbon.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com