West Delaware earns another Class 2A state duals tournament bid

MANCHESTER — On the back of West Delaware’s boys’ wrestling practice shirts is a simple slogan: “Earning it.”

The fourth-ranked Hawks did just that with a 43-24 win over No. 23 Decorah in a Class 2A regional dual Tuesday night, earning them a berth in the Class 2A state duals tournament Saturday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

It took the Hawks’ entire lineup to get the win and Coach Jeff Voss couldn’t have been more pleased with his team.

“We wrestled really well,” Voss said. “I was really proud of how our guys battled and responded to all of the adjustments they (Decorah) made.”

West Delaware’s senior class will be in the state duals tournament for the fourth time.

“They’ve just kept getting better all year long,” Voss said.

“What a great environment for wrestling. They’ll remember this one for a long time.”

Seniors Brayden Maury and Garrison Gillihan were both victorious by first-period falls at 120 and 175, respectively, and were catalysts in the Hawks keeping the momentum.

Gillihan credited the Hawks’ presence at state duals to their work ethic in the practice room.

“We just come in and battle every day,” Gillihan said. “We have a vision and try to accomplish it. Every year. It’s paying off right now. We look good as a team.”

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One of Maury’s underclassman teammates looked good against his foe from Decorah.

In the 106-pound bout, West Delaware’s Lucas Peters showed the Vikings’ Kelton Casterton the lights in 2 minutes, 42 seconds, sending the Hawks’ crowd into a frenzy.

“Our 106-pounder had a big win there,” Maury said. “It got us all fired up.”

In total, the Hawks had six bonus-point wins. Brent Yonkovic (190) and Ryan Hilby (150) also won by fall, while Liam Weber had a 12-3 major at 157.

Voss knows Tuesday night’s win was a total team effort, and it showed.

“The thing I love about the duals is that it’s a team thing,” Voss said. “It took every kid on our squad to get this tonight. Whether it’s in the practice room or wherever, they are all giving great effort.

“They deserve this.”

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Photos: West Delaware vs. Decorah in boys’ wrestling regional duals

With a short turnaround to Saturday, Gillihan knows work can still be done.

“We have to all step up and work our way to victories,” Gillihan said. “We need to keep getting bonus points to help us succeed.”

Maury is confident the Hawks can soar to their sixth-straight state duals final.

As long as their mindset is kept in check, that is.

“If we go out there thinking we can win, then we are going to do it,” Maury said.

Decorah defeated 13th-ranked Benton Community, 46-24, in the opening round Tuesday. The Vikings had six bonus-point victories against the Bobcats, including a stretch of three falls from D’mitry Lesser at 120, Michael Clement at 126 and Mason Avila at 132.