Central wrestling performs well at Upper Iowa Conference Tournament
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
“I think we left a few opportunities on the table, but, overall, we did good. Conference is a great opportunity for matches, so we don’t take it for granted, but we have bigger goals now.”
That’s how Central wrestling coach Joe Koehn summarized the Upper Iowa Conference Tournament, held at MFL MarMac on Jan. 28, where four wrestlers competed at the varsity level: Reese Berns (113), Nick Deitchler (132), Sean Wilwert (170) and Nate Shirbroun (182).
Berns actually bumped up to the 113-pound division for the tournament, finishing in fourth place. She pinned her first round opponent, Brody Schupach from North Fayette Valley, in 29 seconds, before taking on the eventual runner-up, Bo Wangsness of South Winneshiek, in the semifinals. Berns dropped that bout by fall, then received a bye to the third place match, where she lost to Noah Billmeyer from Clayton Ridge via a 6-2 decision.
“We scored the first takedown but couldn’t finish from there,” Koehn said.
Deitchler also placed fourth. According to Koehn, Deitchler dominated the first match, collecting a couple takedowns before pinning Postville’s Manual Garrido. He then ran into the eventual champ, South Winn’s Ethan Maldonado, losing via fall. Deitchler also had a bye into the third place match, where he lost to Caden Kerr of NFV by 7-0 decision.
“It was a hard fought match to the end and we battled hard, but had trouble finishing his shots. Definitely one thing we will be working on this week,” Koehn added.
The Warriors had another fourth place with Wilwert, who won his first round match via fall over Brendan Wander of NFV, before getting pinned by eventual champ Kashton Mathis from MFL MarMac. Wilwert then met Andrew Pridgen of Riceville in the consultation semifinals and won via fall in the first period. He had a chance at a bronze medal, but lost by fall to South Winn’s Sam Conway.
Shirbroun finished third, and as the two seed, had a first round bye before wrestling MFL MarMac’s Austin Schlee in the semifinals. According to Koehn, the first period went scoreless and then Shirbroun dropped the match via fall in the second period. Shirbroun battled back, however, pinning Conner Wenthe in the consolation semifinals after securing a couple takedowns and some back points to put it away late in the first. He earned a third place medal when he pinned Anthony Houser of Riceville.
“Overall, I want the kids to end the day with an odd placing. Meaning they won their last match. It adds points to our team score and it secures them some hardware,” Koehn said. “Just have to take advantage of those opportunities.”
The wrestlers know what they need to work on this week to build up into sectionals on Saturday.
“It’s just another tournament that we need to wrestle smart at. Can’t treat it any differently than our own tournament or the Nashua tournament,” Koehn added. “We just need to go out and compete, and if we do that to the best of our abilities, then the winning will take care of itself.”
Koehn said the Warriors have improved with their neutral and mental preparedness.
“Bottom has gotten better and so has our top game. So we have improved in every position in wrestling, but now we need to showcase that as we step up to the first hump we need to get over to punch our ticket to state,” he said.
The Warriors will compete at sectionals at Starmont on Feb. 5, starting at noon.