Whether it’s by one point or one hundred points, they all count just the same.
West Liberty went 3-0 against River Valley Conference opponents last Thursday to begin 2024 action. The Comets defeated Beckman Catholic 71-12, Maquoketa 54-21 and Monticello 42-41.
In the tight battle against the Panthers, the Comets only won five matches. But with a net forfeit margin of plus one, and one unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Monticello, it was enough to edge them out by one point.
Every single match ended in a pin. This includes the wins by Landon Wainwright (126), Briggs Collins (132), Ryker Dengler (150), Kaden Wiele (157) and Jamison Rud (175).
Against Maquoketa, the Cardinals won the first two bouts of the dual with pins to take a quick 12-0 lead.
However, that’s as good as it would get. Three straight forfeits gave the Comets the lead, and wins from Gable Underbakke (144), Dengler, Wiele, Tytan Griffith (165) and Rud put the battle well out of reach.
In the dual Beckman Catholic, only four weight classes were contested. In those matchups, West Liberty went 3-1 as middleweights Underbakke (second-period pin), Dengler (17-1 technical fall) and Wiele (first-period pin) got their jobs done.
A few days later on Saturday, Wiele was able to continue his positive momentum by taking second place in the 157-pound bracket at the 2024 Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod Invitational hosted by Benton Community.
He won his first two matches with first-period pins and his semifinal match by 4-3 decision.
In the championship match, he squared off against unbeaten Kyler Knaach of Don Bosco. It ended with Knaach maintaining his perfect record with a pin in 1:12.
Wiele was the only Comet to place inside of the top five at this event as it was tough sledding for West Liberty as a whole.
In the team standings, the Comets placed 10th out of 14 schools.
Don Bosco won the event with 221 team points as they narrowly beat out Waukee Northwest which had 212.5. Independence (202.5), Union, LaPorte City (171.5) and Benton Community (151) made up the top five.
The team will have a chance to rebound with two events this week — a triangular against Camanche and West Branch is on tap for Thursday, January 11. Then, the Comets will ship out to Solon High School for Saturday’s Ed Hadenfeldt Wrestling Invitational.
2024 Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod Invitational Results
106
Lincoln Daufeldt (14-7) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Lincoln Daufeldt (West Liberty) 14-7 won by fall over Jacob Rauch (North Linn) 18-10 (Fall 2:26). Quarterfinal - Adam Fish (Independence) 22-8 won by fall over Lincoln Daufeldt (West Liberty) 14-7 (Fall 0:26). Cons. Round 2 - Carew Christensen (Waukee Northwest) 18-8 won by major decision over Lincoln Daufeldt (West Liberty) 14-7 (MD 16-3). Cons. Round 3 - Clayton McDonald (Centerville) 22-11 won by fall over Lincoln Daufeldt (West Liberty) 14-7 (Fall 1:24).
113
Ryan Cassady (19-9) placed 7th and scored 5.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Ryan Cassady (West Liberty) 19-9 received a bye () (Bye). Quarterfinal - Jarrett Engel (West Delaware, Manchester) 18-8 won by decision over Ryan Cassady (West Liberty) 19-9 (Dec 4-3). Cons. Round 2 - Joey Cahill (Waukee Northwest) 15-11 won by decision over Ryan Cassady (West Liberty) 19-9 (Dec 7-1). Cons. Round 3 - Ryan Cassady (West Liberty) 19-9 received a bye () (Bye). 7th Place Match - Ryan Cassady (West Liberty) 19-9 won by decision over Jason Eastman (Benton Community) 15-9 (Dec 8-2).
120
Robinson Paredes Morado (8-9) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Blake Irvine (Don Bosco) 13-9 won by fall over Robinson Paredes Morado (West Liberty) 8-9 (Fall 0:57). Cons. Round 1 - Robinson Paredes Morado (West Liberty) 8-9 won by fall over Jack Schilling (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) 3-8 (Fall 1:51). Cons. Round 2 - Logan Bevans (Independence) 19-7 won by fall over Robinson Paredes Morado (West Liberty) 8-9 (Fall 3:49).
126
Landon Wainwright (14-12) placed 8th and scored 2.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Landon Wainwright (West Liberty) 14-12 received a bye () (Bye). Quarterfinal - Tanner Wilson (Independence) 25-6 won by fall over Landon Wainwright (West Liberty) 14-12 (Fall 0:30). Cons. Round 2 - Kellen Wegner (Dallas Center-