Tenth straight State Duals appearance for Trojans

Ten for the Trojans.

Third-ranked and No. 3 seed Iowa City West  earned their 10th straight appearance in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A State Duals tournament Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena, beginning at 11 a.m.

The Trojans (33-3) tied a state record set by Logan-Magnolia, which qualified for 10 straight State Duals from 2002-11.

"That's the goal every year," said West Coach Mark Reiland, admitting he was not aware of the mark. "To know that we've done it 10 years in a row is a pretty good feeling."

West has placed third or better each year it has qualified, reaching the finals in all but one year including the last six. The defending 3A state dual champions have captured five titles during the stretch. The bar is raised higher than reaching the eight-team field.

"We don't really concern ourselves with just qualifying," West senior Jack Hathaway said. "We're a more get it all or nothing type team."

The last nine years West has never had worse than a No. 2 seed. The Trojans are seeded behind No. 1 Southeast Polk (23-0) and No. 2 Bettendorf (12-1). The Rams and Bulldogs are heavy favorites to meet in the finals.

"I think most of the eyes are focused on those guys," Reiland said. "They are the ones that produced all year. Rightfully so, the eyes should be on those two."

Local eyes will be fixed on the quarterfinal dual between West and No. 6 Cedar Rapids Prairie (27-6). The Trojans' string of nine straight quarterfinal is in jeopardy as the two battled for the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division title at the end of January. West won, 38-26, but the dual was tied with two matches remaining. The rematch promises to be just as competitive.

"It's going to be extremely tough," Reiland said. "We knew that going in last time and we know it going in this time.

"There's a little more at stake this time."

West has nine state qualifiers, including former state champions Phillip Laux (113), Hathaway (126) and 132-pounder Dakota Bauer. Kegan Wakefield (138) and 145-pounder Gradey Gambrall have earned state runner-up finishes. The Trojans have strong individuals, but the team took a hit when they lost third-ranked 195-pounder Mickey Pelfrey to injury about a week ago. Pelfrey did not compete at the district meet Saturday.

"We know it's going to be a tough day no matter what happens," Hathaway said. "Not having Mickey in there is going to hurt us. Hopefully, we wrestle well enough to where it doesn't matter. We just have to get done what we need to get done.

"We're definitely going to have to earn it."