Mikey Ryan embraces challenges, wins battle of ranked wrestlers in boys’ wrestling dual win over Clear Creek Amana

MOUNT VERNON – Mikey Ryan doesn’t shy away from a challenge.

Mount Vernon’s junior 150-pounder actually welcomes it. He said he views it as an opportunity to test himself and identify how to get better.

“It’s fun to kick the crap out of somebody but it doesn’t really tell you where you’re at,” Ryan said. “Seeing those ranked guys is awesome to see where you’re at and know what you need to improve. Just keep pushing yourself.”

Ryan received a good gauge of his early-season progress, winning a battle of ranked wrestlers against Nolan Howell and helping the Mustangs to a 49-24 Wamac Conference dual victory over Clear Creek Amana Thursday night at Mount Vernon. The Mustangs won 10 matches in the boys’ dual and completed the sweep with a 48-18 triumph in the girls’ competition.

Ryan, ranked No. 3 in Class 2A, posted a 13-4 major decision over the fourth-ranked 144-pounder in 3A, who bumped up a weight class.

“I’m happy with it,” Ryan said. “Obviously, I kind of tired out there at the end. It’s early in the season. I have to keep working hard but I thought I wrestled decent.”

Ryan improved to 8-0 this season, including four pins and three technical falls. He still hasn’t allowed anything but an escape this season. Ryan was strong on his feet Thursday, scoring two in the opening period and adding one in each of the last two frames. He displayed a varied attack from the neutral position.

“He’s slick,” Mount Vernon Coach Vance Light said. “He creates a lot of action. It shows that he's improving steadily.

“This weekend (the Mount Vernon Invitational) will be a good test because I think (Anamosa’s 2A top-ranked Hudson) Scranton is here and the West Marshall kid (Shane Hanford), who is ranked fourth, is going to be here also. So, there will be a test to see where he’s at right now. We’ll see what we have to work on until February.”

Easy to embrace those challenges when most are easier than the battles he faces in the room with practice partner, Jase Jaspers, who opened the meet with a first-period pin. Jaspers is a two-time state finalist ranked No. 1 at 144.

“Yeah, he likes it,” Light said. “He's used to wrestling a hard match every day in practice with Jase. He’s always used to that type of competition. It'll be good for him.”

They push each other to be their best and have since they were younger. They both were key components to the Mustangs state semifinal football team in the fall. Both share a competitive streak.

“Sometimes it gets a little feisty,” Ryan said. “We go back and forth. Sometimes he kicks my butt, but it’s fun. We work hard. We are going to keep working hard to achieve our goals through the season.”

Ryan placed eighth at state as a freshman and fourth last season. He felt short of his goal of a state title last season. Ryan is focused on an individual and team state championship this season.

“I’m not going to shy away from it,” Ryan said. “I’m going to go for it, put it out there and see what happens. Have fun doing it.”

Jaspers and Ryan sparked the Mustangs to eight straight wins to open the dual. Jaxon Anderson (175) Cayson Curran (215) and top-ranked heavyweight Ethan Wood all recorded pins. Cooper Hird won by technical fall at 165 and Watson Krob made his season debut with a major decision for a 40-0 lead through the midway point.

Jake Haugse (120) added a fourth pin, as Mount Vernon moved to 1-1.

“We wrestled a lot better than we did a week ago,” Light said. “I can tell you that. We’re getting in better shape. We got a couple guys back. Watson's back in our lineup, so that helped out a lot.

“We’re getting in a little bit better shape,” Light said. “It just takes a little time. Wrestling shape is a lot different than football.”

The Clippers (0-2) received pins from 106-pound freshman Cole Kasparek, Jose Mendieta at 126 and 3A No. 4 Cale Nash, a returning state medalist and three-time state qualifier.

In the girls dual, CCA (0-3) and Mount Vernon split six contested weights. Tabitha Eggleston (140) and Jordan Hunt at 155 each won by fall in two of the first three bouts. Addy Schrock capped the dual with a first period pin.

Addi Whisner (145), Kate Martin at 110 and 125-pounder Lexi Glaza all had pins for Mount Vernon (1-7).

AT MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon 49, Clear Creek Amana 24

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

144 pounds – Jase Jaspers (MV) pinned Aidan Rotzinger, 1:09 (4,0); 150 – Mikey Ryan (MV) major dec. Nolan Howell, 13-4 (4,0); 157 – Will Goodlove (MV) dec. Trace Robertson, 15-11 (3,1); 165 – Cooper Hird (MV) tech. fall Jayden Ohrt, 18-0 (1,0); 175 – Jaxon Anderson (MV) pinned Conner Duncan, 2:33 (3,0); 190 – Watson Krob (MV) major dec. Brody Fairholm, 13-4 (4,0); 215 – Cayson Curran (MV) pinned Carson Bromwell, 1:06 (1,0); Hwt. – Ethan Wood (MV) pinned Karl Westermann, 2:25 (4,0); 106 – Cole Kasparek (CCA) pinned Cooper Krob, 3:30 (3,1); 113 – Wyatt Iburg (CCA) won by forfeit; 120 – Jake Haugse (MV) pinned Rowan Catherman, 1:52 (1,0); 126 – Jose Mendieta (CCA) pinned Drew Thurn, 1:31 (1,0); 132 – C.J. Martin (MV) dec. Malachi Clement, 11-8 (1,2); 138 – Cale Nash (CCA) pinned Chasen Caskey, :33 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – CCA 8, MV 27. Reversals – CCA 2, MV 2. Escapes – CCA 18, MV 6. Nearfall points – CCA 5, MV 22. Penalty points (awarded) – CCA 1, MV 1. Total match points – CCA 52, MV 114.

Mount Vernon 48, Clear Creek Amana 18

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

140 pounds – Tabitha Eggleston (CCA) pinned Hannah Jones, 3:35 (1,1); 145 – Addi Whisner (MV) pinned Olivia Hansen, 1:16 (1,0); 155 – Jordan Hunt (CCA) pinned Kaylee Kintzel, 1:58 (2,0); 170 – Gracie Pinckney (MV) won by forfeit; 190 – Libby Dix (MV) won by forfeit; 235 – Josie Panos (MV) won by forfeit; 100 – Double forfeit; 105 – Carly Elliott (MV) won by forfeit; 110 – Kate Martin (MV) pinned McKenna Sager, 2:52 (1,0); 115 – Kiersten Swart (MV) won by forfeit; 120 – Double forfeit; 125 – Lexi Glaza (MV) pinned Audrey Bulechek, 1:19 (1,0); 130 - Double forfeit; 135 – Addy Schrock (CCA) pinned Liliana Grosse, :38 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – CCA 4, MV 4. Reversals – CCA 1, MV 1. Escapes – CCA 1, MV 0. Nearfall points – CCA 2, MV 3. Penalty points (awarded) – CCA 1, MV 1. Total match points – CCA 18, MV 19.

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