Strategic moves, key wins power Linn-Mar past Iowa City West

MARION - A wrestling dual turned into a chess match.

Linn-Mar and Iowa City West coaches strategized, exchanged lineup moves and produced a prep wrestling dual decided by the final match.

The Lions won eight weights,, including Malik DeBow’s win in a battle of state participants and the final four weights. Holden Heideman won the last bout to clinch a 41-35 Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division victory over the Trojans Thursday night at Linn-Mar.

“Going into it, we knew there was gonna be some gamesmanship to it,” Linn-Mar co-head coach Beau Westpfahl said. “We knew that they had some some horses that had some extra guys protected and we knew we the (coin) flip was going to matter with who they sent out was going to matter.

"It worked out and and the guys that we filled in with had a job to do and they they did their job as as well as we could ask them to do,"

West made the first adjustment, moving second-ranked 120-pounder Alexander Pierce a weight, which backfired when the Lions’ Will Smith recorded a second-period pin over Charlie Barnhouse.

Pierce answered with a fall at 126, giving West a 18-11 lead and setting up a matchup between three-time state medalist DeBow and returning state qualifier Matthew Tran at 132 instead of 126.

DeBow, ranked fourth, trailed by three after two periods but stormed back with a reversal, takedown and almost a minute ride out for a 6-5 decision in an important swing match.

"I didn't want to let my team down, so I knew as a leader I had to push the pace," DeBow said. "I knew if I pushed the pace, he was gonna get tired before I did, so that's kind of what my mindset was.

"I gave up a kind of a silly takedown early, but I battled back."

DeBow had faith in his conditioning. He felt in control after the reversal. His go-behind for the decisive score put him in a comfortable position on top.

“I felt very confident that moment and I had the momentum with the home crowd behind me,” DeBow said. “I felt great about that.”

Westpfahl said the senior lightweight has been a leader by example for the Lions this season. His actions spoke volumes.

"That was just a gritty match coming back and being down," Westpfahl said. "It was good.

"Up and down the lineup guys were stepping up and fighting and that's what we like to see this time of year."

Tran defeated DeBow in this dual a year ago. DeBow avenged that loss with a couple wins last season but it was in the back of the senior’s mind.

“I knew if I let up and wasn’t the aggressor that he was going to have a chance to take take one from me,” DeBow said. “I just I didn’t want that to happen and I didn’t want to let my team down, so I pushed the pace and I think that’s why I came out on top tonight.”

DeBow placed fifth at state the last two years at 120 and 113. He was seventh at 106 as a freshman. He has an opportunity to become Linn-Mar’s eighth four-time state medalist.

“I’m the best when I’m getting to my attacks, so my focus is on that, getting to my offense,” DeBow said. “I believe I can take down anyone in the state. I just want to work on that, work on my conditioning and push the pace against everybody. That’s my goal.”

West received pins from heavyweight Randale Kelly and 106-pounder Owen Smock to open the dual with a 12-0 lead. No. 3 Cole Krutzfeldt won by technical fall at 138.

Two-time state medalist and fourth-ranked Justin Avila (150) pinned Aiden Ehlinger, who is ranked No. 7 at 144, in 2:44. Campbell Janis overcame an early deficit with a huge throw, pinning Brayden Fish in 3:03 at 157 and giving West a 35-20 lead with four matches left.

Andrew Castor wasn’t in the probable lineup but stepped in to add a 13-3 major decision over Ryder Gorsh at 165. Castor’s win sparked the late win streak, allowing No. 9 165-pounder Barrett Mieras to earn a fall at 175.

Philip Jacobs, ranked No. 4 at 175, moved up to 190 but received a forfeit for a 36-35 lead, entering the last match between Heideman and Jack Law, who normally wrestles 190.

Heideman (215) scored four takedowns and added four nearfall in an 18-2 technical fall.

"We didn't see them moving their guy up, so that was a surprise," Westofahl said. "It was like, 'All right. This is our situation. What are we gonna do with it?' I would say that was one of his first big wins, getting momentum going and really putting a good match together. Hopefully that keeps building his confidence and he's doing the right things in the room and that's exciting.

"We got a lot of young guys. They're looking tough right now."

AT LINN-MAR

Linn-Mar 41, Iowa City West 35

(Individual takedown in parentheses)

Hwt. – Randale Kelly (ICW) pinned Jarreth Navarro, :58 (1,0); 106 – Owen Smock (ICW) pinned Ashton Landherr, 5:35 (7,0); 113 – Aiden Kiesey (LM) technical fall Connor Murphy, 20-3 (4,0); 120 – Will Smith (LM) pinned Charles Barnhouse, 3:02 (1,2); 126 – Alexander Pierce (ICW) pinned Blake Leuenberger, 1:26 (1,0); 132 – Malik DeBow (LM) dec. Matthew Tran, 6-5 (1,1); 138 – Cole Krutzfeldt (ICW) tech. fall Evan Pulis, 15-0 (2,0); 144 – Hudson Turner (LM) won by forfeit; 150 – Justin Avila (ICW) pinned Aiden Ehlinger, 2:44 (1,0); 157 – Campbell Janis (ICW) pinned Brayden Fish, 3:03 (1,1); 165 – Andrew Castor (LM) major dec. Ryder Gorsch, 13-3 (4,0); 175 – Barrett Mieras (LM) pinned Sterling Warren, 1:06 (1,0); 190 – Philip Jacobs (LM) won by forfeit; 215 – Holden Heideman (LM) tech. fall Jack Law, 18-2 (4,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – I.C. West 16, Linn-Mar 16. Reversals – I.C. West 0, Linn-Mar 3. Escapes – I.C. West 11, Linn-Mar 10. Nearfall points – I.C. West 12, Linn-Mar 16. Penalty points (awarded) – I.C. West 1, Linn-Mar 0. Total match points – I.C. West 72, Linn-Mar 80.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com