by Marianne Gasaway
It was a big week for Clear Lake wrestling.
The Lions posted a huge 53-18 win over Mason City Tuesday, Jan. 17, and looked impressive at Saturday’s North Central Conference meet.
CL 53, MC 18
Aiden Hippen (138), Tyler Lefèvre (145) and Christian Dunning (152) got the Lions off to a strong start with two pins and a technical fall against Mason City Tuesday night. The Lions then continued to roll through the upper weights for a dominating win. Twelve of Mason City’s points came from Lion forfeits.
“It was a great way to send the seniors out as they wrestled at home for one last time,” said Coach Evan Johnson.
NCC Tournament
The Lions were slated to have a meet Thursday, but weather postponed the action. Instead, they were rested and ready for Saturday’s North Central Conference meet. The Lions had a very good day, with all 11 of their wrestlers placing in the top six and 10 of 11 placing in the top four. Eight Lions received All-Conference honors by placing in the top three.
Max Currier (132) and Kaleb Hambly (182) both won their brackets to become NCC champions.
“That was such a special way for those two seniors to go out at a meet this big,” noted Coach Johnson. Aiden Hippen (138) was a runner up. Other All-Conference wrestlers included: Tyler LeFevre (145), Hayden Rieck (170), Jake Trenary (195), Dylan Evenson (220), and Aaron Richtsmeier (285).
“What was so incredible for me is that our team ended up going 15-4 (combined record) in the final two rounds of the tournament,” said Johnson. “It is very difficult to do well in a tournament like this, especially when you are open at three different weight classes, but our kids didn’t let that stop them from battling from behind and placing in the top four in the conference as a team.
CL 53, MC 18
126: Paul Fabian (MACI) over Noah Potter (CLLA) (Dec 3-0) 132: Max Currier (CLLA) over (MACI) (For.) 138: Aiden Hippen (CLLA) over Kevin Carney (MACI) (Fall 3:11) 145: Tyler LeFevre (CLLA) over Derek Loeschen (MACI) (Fall 3:26) 152: Christian Dunning (CLLA) over Ethan Olsen (MACI) (TF 15-0 5:11) 160: Hale Rhodes (MACI) over Carter Perry (CLLA) (Dec 12-8) 170: Hayden Rieck (CLLA) over Ben Lorence (MACI) (Fall 1:34) 182: Kaleb Hambly (CLLA) over Julius Wright (MACI) (Fall 0:24) 195: Jake Trenary (CLLA) over (MACI) (For.) 220: Dylan Evenson (CLLA) over Aidin Askildson (MACI) (Fall 4:13) 285: Aaron Richtsmeier (CLLA) over Michael Sarik (MACI) (Fall 0:33) 106: Double Forfeit 113: Kale DiMarco (MACI) over Jeseb Prestholt (CLLA) (Fall 0:46) 120: Reed Kruger (MACI) over (CLLA) (For.)
NCC Tournament
126: Quarterfinals – Andon Barrick (IFA) over Noah Potter (CL) (Fall 1:47); Cons. Round 1 -Potter over Jacob Ingebritson (CGD) (Fall 4:51); Cons. Semis – Jayden Gargano (H) over Potter (Fall 0:43); 5th Place Match – Andon Barrick (IFA) over Potter (Fall 5:04).
132: Quarterfinals – Max Currier (CL) over Adison Scott (WC) (Fall 0:44); Semifinals – Currier over Ethan Traub (CGD) (MD 10-0); 1st Place Match – Currier over Sam Myer (SE) (Fall 4:27).
138: Quarterfinals – Aiden Hippen (CL) over Gage Plagge (HD-CAL) (Fall 1:44); Semifinals Hippen over Kaden Hanson (CGD) (Fall 4:28); 1st Place Match – Tate Slagle (A) over Hippen (MD 10-1).
145: Quarterfinals – LeFevre (CL) over Luke Estlund (WC) (Dec 5-3); Semifinals – Taylor Mahler (HD-CAL) over LeFevre (MD 9-1); Cons. Semis – LeFevre over Zayn Feaster (H) (Dec 9-4); 3rd Place Match – LeFevre over Luke Estlund (WC) (Dec 8-5).
152: Quarterfinals – Christian Dunning (CL) over Colin Bird (HD-CAL) (MD 15-2); Semifinals – Cale Kirstein (CGD) over Dunning (Fall 1:21); Cons. Semis – Dunning over Ian Fehr (A) (Dec 7-0); 3rd Place Match – Jordan Vankham (WC) over Dunning (TF 16-1 4:54)
160: Quarterfinals – Brady Jessen (WC) over Carter Perry (CL) (Fall 5:34); Cons. Round 1 – Perry over Aidan Richards (IFA) (Fall 3:58); Cons. Semis – Perry over Nano Guillen (SE) (Fall 1:07); 3rd Place Match – Brady Jessen (WC) over Perry (Fall 3:29).
170: Quarterfinals – Colby Jennings (A) over Hayden Rieck (CL) (TB-1 4-3); Cons. Round 1 – Rieck over Gage Love (IFA) (TF 17-1 3:18); Cons. Semis – Rieck over Nash Lienemann (CGD) (Fall 5:55); 3rd Place Match – Rieck over Colby Jennings (A) (Dec 3-1).
182: Semifinals – Kaleb Hambly (CL) over Mason Allen (CGD) (MD 10-0); 1st Place Match – Hambly over Gaige Allen (H) (Fall 1:25).
195: Quarterfinals – Jake Trenary (CL) over Adam Walker (SE) (Fall 3:05); Semifinals – CJ Hisler (WC) over Trenary (Fall 0:57); Cons. Semis – Trenary over Ethan Kunert (H) (Dec 5-3); 3rd Place Match -Trenary ( over Erick Perez (CGD) (Dec 7-2).
220: Quarterfinals – Dylan Evenson (CL) over Hector Bunston (HD-CAL) (Fall 1:30); Semifinals – Ashtin Willms (CGD) over Evenson (Fall 3:58); Cons. Semis – Evenson over Kyle Caquelin (H) (Fall 3:13); 3rd Place Match – Evenson over Hector Bunston (HD-CAL) (Fall 4:24).
285: Quarterfinals – Aaron Richtsmeier (CL) over Cael Newell (H) (Fall 0:56); Semifinals – Landon Griffin (WC) over Richtsmeier (Fall 4:36); Cons. Semis – Richtsmeier over Hunter Kollasch (A) (Dec 6-2); 3rd Place Match – Richtsmeier over Reid Huntley (CGD) (Dec 2-1)
