Linn-Mar’s Grant Kress makes gains through helping youth wrestlers

MARION — Linn-Mar’s Grant Kress has devoted a lot of time to wrestling.

He has spent numerous hours drilling and practicing to become one of the state’s top wrestlers. The effort has yielded two state medals and a state runner-up finish last season.

Kress has also volunteered to assist at kids’ club workouts, which has helped with his own skills.

“I’ve spent countless hours in the room, both wrestling and coaching,” Kress said. “I am a volunteer coach for the youth wrestling club. I wrestle, practice, and stay to work with the kids.

“I think that has helped with my technique, slowing down and going through the moves slower.”

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Second-ranked Kress started the season with a first-period fall in the season-opening dual against Dubuque Hempstead Thursday night at Linn-Mar. The Class 3A 13th-ranked Mustangs knocked off the No. 5 Lions, 37-36, earning the decisive point on the ninth tiebreaker criteria with most team match points scored.

“We knew going in we were favored in six and a couple toss-ups,” Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher said. “You don’t win the flip, that was part of the equation for tonight’s dual, and you can’t get pinned five times. That’s what it comes down to. You have a good dual meet team, the kids that lose don’t get pinned. We have to figure that out. The other guys can only score six for us.”

Kress was one of five Lions to get pins, bumping up from 157 to 165 and decking Liam Kelley in just 32 seconds. He said he appreciates the trust coaches have in him to deliver at any weight.

“They can bump me up a weight class and are confident I can wrestle hard,” Kress said. “When it’s your turn to dominate, you have to do it.”

“I’ll do anything to help the team out. I’ll wrestle up a weight class, help coach little kids, wrestle early in practice with some of the freshmen.”

Kress recalled Linn-Mar varsity wrestlers at his club practice when he was younger. He embraces the opportunity to be a role model for current and future Lions. He said he’d do the same for opposing junior varsity wrestlers with the intent to make the wrestling community better.

“When I was a kid, it was Alijah Jeffery, who came in the room,” Kress said of the former Linn-Mar state champion and Northern Illinois wrestler. “He showed moves and I thought he was really cool. I wanted to be like that for the little kids coming in. Help grow the program.”

Streicher said he understands how coaching others can benefit technique because it results in added repetitions and a chance to break down moves.

“He works hard and he loves wrestling,” Streicher said. “Those two go hand-in-hand. You have skill, work ethic and you love to be around the sport and be on the mat. It’s a good combination.”

Kress has also worked the scorer’s table at youth tournaments and is interested in officiating. None of it comes as a surprise to Streicher.

“He loves to give back,” Streicher said. “He loves to help people. You can tell he gets a lot of satisfaction out of it. It’s a really nice trait to have and be around.”

The Lions (0-1) celebrated after No. 8 Griffin Schultz earned a second-period pin over No. 12 Tate Woodruff at 215 to end the dual in a 36-36 tie. Streicher said he liked the odds with Schultz closing the dual.

“When we saw the draw, we told him we’re going to have a tough dual meet here,” Streicher said. “I really liked that Griff was our last card we were going to play. I said I like those odds. If the meet’s on the line and we have Griff out there, I’m great with it. By that time, it’s up to criteria. He did everything he could do.”

Initially, Linn-Mar was thought to have won with an official’s warning on Hempstead’s bench, but that wasn’t the case since it didn’t result in a penalty. It was decided by criteria I — a 49-45 Hempstead each in match points.

The victory was the first for Mustangs Coach Brett Haas, who is in his first season after replacing his father, Chuck Haas, who is now an assistant after 24 years as Hempstead’s head coach.

The Lions are competing in the Dan Gable Donnybrook at Xtream Arena this weekend. Kress will return to the event with his sights on a second straight title in the 39-team field, representing Iowa and six bordering states.

The tournament win a year ago catapulted Kress into his best season and the goal is for something similar again.

“It boosted my confidence, knowing I can compete with some of the best in the nation,” Kress said. “It’s really tough.”

Dubuque Hempstead 37*, Linn-Mar 36

AT LINN-MAR

285 pounds – Zac Conlon (DH) pinned Maverick Stapley, 2:30; 106 – Elijah Hyet (DH) pinned Jaedn Gallagher, 2:13; 113 – Landon Gottschalk (DH) dec. Nunzio Salanitri, 5-3; 120 – Parker Johns (DH) pinned Aiden Kiesey, 4:31; 126 – Malik DeBow (LM) dec. Evan Bratten, 8-3; 132 – Hud Turner (LM) dec. Mitch Murphy, 5-0; 138 – Garren Christiansen (DH) dec. Cain Boddicker, 7-2; 144 – Kane Naaktgeboren (LM) pinned Dane Mangler, 1:16; 150 – Grant Boddicker (LM) pinned Declan Harper, :29; 157 – Noah Howk-Erwin (LM) pinned John Dsouza, :57; 165 – Grant Kress (LM) pinned Liam Kelley, :33; 175 – Dawson Fish (DH) pinned Barrett Mieras, 4:52; 190 – Cam Smith (DH) pinned Kinnick Lechtenberg, 2:51; 215 – Griffin Schultz (LM) pinned Tate Woodruff, 3:22.Dubuque Hempstead received one point for winning Criteria I (Most team match points).

*-Dubuque Hempstead received one point for winning tiebreaker (Criteria I: Most team match points)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Dub. Hempstead 13, Linn-Mar 13. Reversals – Dub. Hempstead 5, Linn-Mar 3. Escapes – Dub. Hempstead 7, Linn-Mar 6. Nearfall points – Dub. Hempstead 5, Linn-Mar 7. Penalty points (awarded) – Dub. Hempstead 1, Linn-Mar 0. Total match points – Dub. Hempstead 49, Linn-Mar 45.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com