Lions top Mason City; Weber gets 400th win

In one of the most epic duals in Clear Lake history, the fourth ranked (2A) Lions beat the seventh ranked (3A) Mohawks by the narrowest of margins, 33-28.  The exciting win also provided Head Coach Gary Weber with his 400th career victory.  Weber became only the fifth wrestling coach in the state of Iowa to win 400 duals. 

“This number of wins is really a reflection of all of the hard work all past wrestlers, assistant coaches, parents, statisticians and cheerleaders have put into the wrestling program,” said Weber.  “It really was an awesome way to get 400 wins, with such a great dual meet and a spectacular crowd.”

Weber said the win was made even sweeter when considering that the Lions were without their two state place winners, Ryan Schmalen and Andres Gonzalez.  The Mohawks had eight state qualifiers in their lineup, while Clear Lake had one.

“Our kids and coaches did an incredible job.  Our crowd was like Seattle’s 12th man and really pumped up our wrestlers,” stated Weber. “It was a night I will never forget.  All of our kids had a role in the win. From our JV kids to our varsity, they all helped make each other better and should be very proud of their team effort.”

The meet started at 138 where the Lions coaching staff elected to bump up Ryan Faught to face state ranked Max Spotts.  Faught lost a close 3-1 match.  Weber also credited Blake Kelso as a huge reason why the Lions won.  “He didn’t only win, but pinned state qualifier Quinn Siglin. That really gave our kids and crowd a boost.”

The next big upset was at 160, where Logan Wilcke beat state place winner Stone Sturges. 

At 170, Rowdy Yates made his season debut after suffering an early season knee injury and wrestled well, but lost 10-2.  The coaching staff made a lineup change and switched Carter Garrington and Connor Nosbisch.  Garrington was pinned by state place winner Andrew Bartel, while Nosbisch recorded a big pin at 195. One-hundred ninety pound Ace Walton wrestled at 220 and saved three valuable team points; he was beaten, 10-3. Mitchell Jordan only lost by decision to the state’s second ranked heavyweight wrestler, again saving three team - Read More Via e-Edition