Grapplers upset #3 Ft. Dodge, romp over rival Mason City

The Clear Lake wrestling team had what Coach Gary Weber called their best meet of the year Tuesday, and beat arch rival Mason City 40-23 and upset third ranked Ft. Dodge, 39-30. 

“Our wrestling staff couldn’t be prouder.  Our four ranked wrestlers have been carrying us all 

year, but this meet all 14 wrestlers and the JV contributed to the team wins,” said Weber.

The Lions wrestled Ft. Dodge in the first meet.  The meet started at 182 and Rowdy Yates had a big pin to get Clear Lake rolling.  Ace Walton lost to the second ranked wrestler in the state at 195. Nate Benson picked up a big forfeit at 220 and Kyle Willms had a huge pin at 285. 

“We are very proud of all of our wrestlers, specifically our upper weights on Tuesday,” said Weber.  “Not many schools have upper weight kids because it is a very hard sport. Nate Benson came out for the first time this year and has stuck it out and scored valuable points. Willms had two huge pins to help win both duals.”

The second meet of the night the Lions jumped out to a 40-3 lead against Mason City.  Again Willms won by pin and Benson received a forfeit to take a 12-3 lead. Ben Hillyer had a big win at 106, as did Brennen Doebel at 113. Ryan Schmalen was awarded a forfeit at 120.  Freshman Will Kirshbaum was inserted in the line up at 126 and he recorded a pin to push the lead to 28-6.  The coaches moved Ryan Leisure up to 132 and he also recorded a big pin. 

Mason City then won the next seven weights, but the Lions stayed off their backs and beat Mason City for the 14th time in the last 16 years.

Humboldt 40, CL 27

Thursday night Clear Lake traveled to Humboldt and didn’t fair as well. Humboldt boasted a 17-2 record, but the Lions felt they should have won. 

“We didn’t have quite the intensity Thursday as we did on Tuesday. It was senior night for Humboldt and they just got after it a little more than we did,” said Weber.  

The meet started with excitement at 138.  Spencer Orr was losing when he put on his patented cradle and won by fall. Ryan Faught followed suit and also recorded a pin. At 152, Brad Hillyer lost a close 2-0 battle and Kaleb Froiland was pinned at 160. Logan Wilcke continued his winning ways with a close win at 170, while teammate Rowdy Yates lost a close won at 182.  Ace Walton lost to a ranked wrestler at 195 and Nate Benson and Kyle Willms were pinned at 220 and  285. Ben Hillyer was also pinned by a ranked wrestler at 106.  Humboldt forfeited to Brennen Doebel at 113. 

With Humboldt having the meet in hand, it was decided to rest Ryan Schmalen.  Aaron Canchola wrestled hard, but was beaten at 120. Ryan Leisure continued his dominance with another pin at 126 and Christiano Gonzalez lost a very close 1-0 decision at 132 to close the score at 40-27.

“Some days you get the bear, and some days the bear gets you,” said Weber.  “Thursday night the bear got us. We will learn from it and continue to improve, work hard and try and reach our goals.”