Second-ranked Hawks searching for State Duals berth

MANCHESTER - West Delaware wrestlers have needed to buy a ticket to watch the State Duals tournament the last few years.

This year, they want to earn their to the team contest.

The second-ranked Hawks are looking for their first State Duals appearance since 2008 when they host a Class 2A regional dual meet tonight, starting at 6 p.m. West Delaware faces Solon (19-3) in the semifinal round with the winner advancing to the regional final against the winner between Crestwood (11-11) and Wilton (14-5).

The Hawks have lost in the regional dual final two of the last three years, including to eventual state champion Davenport Assumption last season. In 2009, they failed to make the regional duals placing behind state champ Denver-Tripoli and rival Independence at sectional.

“I think we had good teams those years, but it didn't work out for us,” West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss said. “We're kind of in the same position this year. We're knocking on the door, but we have to knock it down one of these years.”

The season started with some question marks, according to Voss, but those were answered as the wrestlers progressed as the season did. The team developed balanced as younger wrestlers started turning potential into results.

“Where we're at right now is a lot better than where we were at the beginning of the season,” Voss said. “That; s based on the hard work the kids have put in and I think the competition we have wrestled has brought us to this point.

“Potential doesn't win you a lot of things. You've got to prove your position and these kids have responded well.”

Reaching the State Duals has been a yearlong goal for the Hawks (19-4).

“We're all cranked up here,” top-ranked 195-pound junior Adam Reth said. “We know it's a big opportunity. The past years it has got away from us. it's been a long time. We're ready to get back (and) go down and see what we can do.”

Reth is at the heart of a solid group of upper weights, including 170-pounder Sam Lahr, Jacyn Goebel at 182 and heavyweight Dean Broghammer, who are all ranked fourth at their respectively weight classes. Add sixth-ranked Jake Voss at 152 and district qualifiers Nolan Zumbach (160) and Spencer Oberbroeckling (220) and West Delaware gives anyone fits. They can hoist the team on their big shoulders if needed, but they focus on themselves, letting the team results play out.

“It's just kind of a given that we're going out and do our best,” Reth said. “If it goes our way, we'll get the pin.”

West Delaware had four state medalists return from last season, including Reth, state finalist Zach Less at 113, Zach Mueller at 132 and Lahr. The less established wrestlers will be important for the Hawks' postseason success.

“The key from doing well from here is our middle weights, who have improved a lot as the year has gone on,” Voss said. “Those are the ones that probably determine how far we can go in the State Duals.”

Williamsburg also hosts 2A regional duals. The 10th-ranked Raiders face No 10 Union with the winner taking on the winner between third-ranked Denver-Tripoli and Washington (Iowa).

West Liberty travels to Letts for a regional dual hosted by Louisa-Muscatine. The Comets take on top-ranked Assumption. Mediapolis and Northeast round out the four-team field.

In Class 1A, sixth-ranked Alburnett is looking for its second straight State Duals appearance. The Pirates face BGM, and Iowa Valley and Maquoketa Valley wrestle in the semifinal round.

West Branch, Sigourney-Koeta, Lisbon and Eddyville-Blakesburg all compete at Pekin. Turkey Valley travels to Fairbank to face Nashua-Plainfield in a regional semifinal at Wapsie Valley High School. The winner will take on Sumner-Fredericksburg, who advanced to the regional final with a forfeit by Central Springs.

At Manson, the winner between Don Bosco and Manson-NW Webster will square off against the winner between Jesup and Pocahontas Area for a state duals berth.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association State Duals will be held Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.