By Bob Bakken
MaxPreps.com
Wrestling: Waverly-Shell Rock Sets State Meet Points Record
In winning the Class 3-A state wrestling meet title last weekend, the Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks set an overall state record for points scored at the traditional state tournament.
Waverly-Shell Rock’s 225 points out-distanced last year’s champion, Iowa City West, by 84 points.
The total broke the old record set by Council Bluffs Lewis Central seven years ago. The margin of victory was also the largest since Gilbertville-Don Bosco won the Class 1-A title by 99 points in 1979.
The Go-Hawks had four state champions during the finals night at Wells Fargo, including a pair of Ballweg brothers. Jake, a sophomore in his second-straight championship match, won the 119-pound title in a 9-1 victory over Cody Swim of Indianola, who was unbeaten for the championship round match-up.
Senior Mark Ballweg won his second state title in a 7-0 championship victory over Bret Baumbach of Council Bluffs Lewis Central at 135 pounds. It was Mark’s first title since winning the 103-pound championship three years ago.
Eric Thompson, the nation’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight according to Amateur Wrestling News, and Dylan Wrage at 189 pounds, also won state championships.
Wrestling: Ballard of Huxley Earns First State Team Title
While the state champions in the other two classes have earned multiple state team titles, Ballard of Huxley was tasting the sweetness of championship success for the first time.
The central Iowa school won its first team title in the state meet at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. They had already won the state title on Friday before the Saturday night finals had even begun.
Six Bombers were in the Saturday night finals and three won state championships. Ballard placed 10 of its 11 state qualifiers.
Brock Weatherman claimed the 171-pound championship for Ballard, and was joined by cousin Trent Weatherman and Bomber teammate Tyler Grask as state champions.
Ballard of Huxley also set a record for points by a 2-A state championship team with 181, handling second place Creston/Orient-Macksburg, which finished second with 139.
Wrestling: Don Bosco Rules In Class 1-A
The small Catholic high school outside Waterloo proved again this weekend it is the “Big Gun” in Class 1-A wrestling. Don Bosco of Gilbertville took on and conquered all challengers enroute to the state championship last weekend at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
It was the third straight state title for the Dons, who have won a total of seven state championships in the traditional state tournament. Don Bosco also set a record for points by a 1-A state championship team, posting 175.5 points to defeat New London/Winfield-Mt. Union. The previous record was set by Lison with 158.5 points.
Two wrestlers from Don Bosco won state championships when it was all said and done.
Top-ranked Bart Reiter won the 125-pound title over Jason Winkler of South Winnishiek with a 16-0 technical fall. That completed a 34-1 season record for Reiter.
At 145 pounds, Clay Welter surprised the experts with a 9-4 decision over previously unbeaten and third-ranked James Houchins of I-35/Truro.
Don Bosco is now the favorite to win the team duals tournament in Class 1-A at Cedar Rapids this coming weekend.
Wrestling: State Tournament, Etc.
The Iowa State Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association passed out honors during the final night of the state tournament, which drew a sell-out crowd of 13,500 to the downtown Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena.
Coaches of the year were named, including Bob Yilek of Belle Plaine (Class 1-A), Jeff Weatherman of Ballard of Huxley (Class 2-A), and Mason City’s Dusty Rhodes (3-A)
Akron’s Doug Manley was named official of the year.
Iowa City West and Creston/Orient-Macksburg became the first runner-up teams to win four state championships and still finish in second place.