West Delaware completes comeback for 10th straight boys’ wrestling dual win over Independence

INDEPENDENCE — West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss was confident.

Brent Yonkovic was unaware but teamed with Jeryn Funke to come through in the clutch.

The pair delivered bonus points in the final two matches and helped the Class 2A fourth-ranked Hawks to a 29-28 victory over host No. 8 Independence on Thursday night in a Wamac Conference boys’ wrestling dual known as the Highway 20 Clash.

West Delaware (13-2) won four of the final five bouts, erasing a 14-point deficit before the late run.

“Where we started in that dual played to their strength a bit, so I knew we just had to bide our time,” Voss said. “I knew there were going to be some great matches. We won some and lost some of them.

“We had a chance to score a lot of points in the last two to three guys. They did it.”

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Photos: West Delaware at Independence boys’ wrestling

The Hawks won their 10th straight against the rival Mustangs, hoisting the Del-Buc Traveling Trophy in a brief post-match celebration. The teams split 14 weights that resulted in four lead changes. Common in the rivalry.

“It’s kind of a roller coaster of emotions,” Yonkovic said. “At one point, you’re standing up, yelling and going crazy. Then, you’re sitting there and watching the other team go crazy. That’s the best part of it. The energy that it brings.”

Yonkovic took the mat with the Hawks trailing by nine in the penultimate match. The third-ranked 175-pounder tallied four takedowns for a 9-2 lead before pinning Braylen Bieber in 3:17. Yonkovic (24-2) said he wasn’t paying attention to the team score and concentrated on his personal performance.

“My goal is to go out there and wrestle my best,” the two-time state qualifier and 2022 state medalist said. “Obviously, I want to get the pin but that really wasn’t my focus. Just go dominate.”

Funke followed with another decisive victory to complete the comeback. His six takedowns and two nearfall led to a 16-5 major decision over Landon Duffy at 190. Just enough to edge the Mustangs (17-5).

“I felt good,” Voss said. “Those guys are juniors and have wrestled in big matches like this. Yonk has done it for three years now. I felt confident finishing up with those two guys.”

The Hawks benefited from bonus-point victories. Brayden Maury (120) and 150-pound freshman Liam Weber posted technical falls. Owen Pettlon (215), 113-pounder Jarrett Engel and Blake Mather at 157 added decisions. Mather scored a takedown and escape in the second period of a 3-1 decision over Christopher Meyer in a swing match during the final stretch, which helped set up the late heroics.

According to Voss, preventing bonus points was just as important.

“It was a regional dual and state duals atmosphere,” said Voss, who won his 501st career dual. “I even liked how some of the guys that got beat only gave a decision instead of a major decision.

“That’s what wins big duals and this was a big dual. It was two great teams going at it. It was good.”

Independence received an early boost from Brady McDonald’s pin over Wes Devaney at heavyweight and a decision from 106-pounder Adam Fish for a 9-6 lead after three matches. The Mustangs managed a four-match win streak, including a major decision from Tanner Wilson at 126 and Kameron Kremer’s one minute pin over Rylan Gaul at 132.

Independence’s Kaden Kremer won the lone pairing of ranked wrestlers. No. 8 Kremer scored a takedown and added two nearfall late in the first, topping No. 12 Jaz Miller, 5-2, at 138. Teammate Tanner Wieland followed with a 1-0 victory over Ryan Hilby at 144 to make it 25-11 Mustangs.

Luke Johnson recorded the Mustangs’ last win in a thriller at 165. Johnson scored a takedown in sudden victory for a 5-3 decision over Garrison Gillihan.

The Hawks and Mustangs have a chance to host regional duals. This win was a strong springboard into the postseason. Regional duals are Jan. 30 with state duals on Feb. 3 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

“From here on out, you’re not going to get any easy duals,” Yonkovic said. “It’s going to take everybody.”

The girls’ dual also was decided in the final match. The Mustangs led much of the way, but fourth-ranked Izzy Strickert secured the 42-33 victory. Independence improved to 3-0 against West Delaware in girls’ duals.

Strickert built an 8-2 lead with four takedowns, pinning Ella Goedken in 3:13. Ellie Fangman, who bumped up to 235 from 190, and Jordin Derr (120) also recorded falls for the Mustangs. Kennedi Bevans (135) and Kenleigh Trumblee at 145 added decisions for Independence.

West Delaware’s Addison Schulte (100), Anna O’Rear (125) and Abigail O’Rear at 140 had pins. The Hawks’ Kylee Shoop scored a takedown in the third period to edge Havana Griffith, 3-2, at 130.

Boys: West Delaware 29, Independence 28

AT INDEPENDENCE

West Delaware 29, Independence 28

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

215 pounds – Owen Pettlon (WD) dec. Gable Eddy, 5-0 (2,0); Hwt. – Brady McDonald (I) pinned Wes Devaney, 3:18 (1,0); 106 – Adam Fish (I) dec. Lucas Peters, 10-3 (3,0); 113 – Jarrett Engel (WD) dec. Zach Homan, 8-1 (2,0); 120 – Brayden Maury (WD) tech. fall Logan Bevans, 16-1 (4,0); 126 – Tanner Wilson (I) major dec. Kooper Waugh, 10-2 (4,0); 132 – Kameron Kremer (I) pinned Rylan Gaul, 1:00 (1,0); 138 – Kaden Kremer (I) dec. Jax Miller, 5-2 (1,1); 144 – Tyler Wieland (I) dec. Ryan Hilby, 1-0 (0,0); 150 – Liam Weber (WD) tech. fall Cael Troutman, 22-7 (9,0); 157 – Blake Mather (WD) dec. Christopher Meyer, 3-1 (1,0); 165 – Luke Johnson (I) dec. Garrison Gillihan, 5-3 SV-1 (1,1); 175 – Brent Yonkovic (WD) pinned Braylen Bieber, 3:17 (4,0); 190 – Jeryn Funke (WD) major dec. Landon Duffy, 16-5 (6,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – West Delaware 30, Independence 11. Reversals – West Delaware 0, Independence 3. Escapes – West Delaware 11, Independence 18. Nearfall points – West Delaware 16, Independence 4. Penalty points (awarded) – West Delaware 2. Independence 5. Total match points – West Delaware 89, Independence 55.

Girls: Independence 42, West Delaware 33

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

190 pounds – Samantha Murray (WD) won by forfeit; 235 – Ellie Fangman (I) pinned Kailey Burr, 1:01 (1,0); 100 – Addison Schulte (WD) pinned Alaina Terhune, 1:23 (1,0); 105 – Sarah Greiner (I) won by forfeit; 110 – Morgan Krall (I) won by forfeit; 115 – Madison Arnold (I) won by forfeit; 120 – Jordin Derr (I) pinned Lexi Bunting, 3:50 (1,0); 125 – Anna O’Rear (WD) pinned Claire Carey, 2:45 (1,0); 130 – Kylee Shoop (WD) dec. Havana Griffith, 3-2 (1,1); 135 – Kennedi Bevans (I) dec. Maliah Johnson, 4-3 (2,0); 140 – Abigail O’Rear (WD) pinned Riley Rouse, 1:05 (1,0); 145 – Kenleigh Trumblee (I) dec. Addison Burger, 5-1 (2,0); 155 – Parker Robinson (WD) won by forfeit; 170 – Izzy Strickert (I) pinned Ella Goedken, 3:13 (4,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – West Delaware 4, Independence 11. Reversals – West Delaware 0, Independence 1. Escapes – West Delaware 6, Independence 1. Nearfall points – West Delaware 0, Independence 2. Penalty points (awarded) – West Delaware 1, Independence 0. Total match points – West Delaware 15, Independence 27.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com