MINERAL POINT — Still licking their wounds from a lop-sided 58–17 SWAL dual loss to seventh-ranked Fennimore just a week earlier, the Iowa–Grant/Highland Panthers entered Friday’s showdown with league-leading Mineral Point with a different mindset and a different lineup.
Head coach Ryan Allen pulled out all the stops moving a number of wrestlers up and down the line-up looking for maximum scoring opportunities against the sixth-ranked Pointers.
Allen’s Panthers wrestled their hearts out, but ultimately came up a point short, 40–39, after scoring pins in the dual’s final four weight classes.
Mineral Point’s Kyle Juedes secured the victory when he pinned Iowa–Grant freshman Clint Havlik late in the second period, giving the Pointers (5–0 SWAL) an insurmountable 40–15 lead.
“I thought we wrestled pretty well and fought hard throughout the night,” said coach Allen. “We moved a few guys around to try to get some match ups that favored us a little more. Even though several guys had to give up a few pounds, it didn’t seem to affect them much. We showed a lot of fight Friday night and we were very close to pulling the upset.”
With the team victory out of reach, the Panthers’ heavyweights went on a run.
Defending state champion senior Luke Nowak, who jumped up two weight classes from 170, pinned Point’s Chris Ley in the middle of the second period at 195 pounds.
Fellow senior Kyle Soderstrom pinned Nate Cody at 220 after moving up from 195, then senior Brent Rider, who usually wrestles at 220, pinned Joey Dolphin with just 10 seconds left in the match at 285 to pull I–G within seven points.
Then sophomore Sawyer Sarbacker pinned Bailey Lawinger at the 3:28 mark in the second period to close out the night.
After Point’s Marcus Shannon pinned sophomore Ron Allen at 113 pound to start the dual, freshman Max Maylor and senior Jordan Jenks received forfeits for Iowa–Grant/Highland.
But the Pointers responded with a major decision at 132, then three straight pins at 138, 145, 152 and a forfeit victory at 160 to give Point a 34–12.
I–G freshman Brady Peat broke up the string of Point victories with a 9–4 victory over Sawyer Wallace at 170, but Juedes’ pin at 182 gave Mineral Point the win.
“In a dual like this, every match is a key match,” said Allen. “Every point counts. Every takedown, nearfall, pin, etc. Everything counts, that’s why this was a great team effort.
Iowa–Grant fell to 6–4 overall and 3–2 in SWAL duals.
On the very same night Darlington/Black Hawk upset Fennimore 37–36. The Redbirds’ stunning victory allowed Point to clinch at least a share of the SWAL duals title.
The Golden Eagles (4–1 SWAL) will host the Pointers on Friday. Fennimore can earn a share of the SWAL title with a win.
Meanwhile, Iowa–Grant/Highland will close out the dual meet season Friday at home against Riverdale (2–3 SWAL).
On Saturday, the Panthers scored 126.5 points and placed sixth out of 18 teams at the Sparta Invitational.
Nowak (32–3) won the 170-pound title with a 5–3 overtime victory over previously undefeated Jake Rueth (29–1) of Neillsville.
“Luke had a great finals match by beating an undefeated kid in overtime,” said coach Allen. “He showed a lot of guts and poise Saturday. I know Luke will be ready to make another run at a state title.”
Soderstrom (26–9) cruised to the 220-pound championship with a bye, a pin and a 6–0 decision over Neillsville’s Nick Rueth (27–3). Soderstrom finished second after suffering a second-period pin to Holmen’s Charles Seraukas (21–2).
“Kyle looked good,” said Allen. “He dominated everyone until the finals, where he met up with a guy that was just too big and strong for him. Kyle is another guy who has gotten a lot better this year and I think he will win some big matches coming up.”
Sarbacker (24–8) went 3–1 and placed third at 106 pounds as did Maylor (31–6) at 120.
Peat (23–11) placed fourth at 160, while Rider (18–15) finished fifth at 285.
“Sawyer wrestled very well in getting third,” said Allen. “I thought he wrestled very aggressively, and I am very excited to see him finish this season out.
“Max had a good day, getting third, but I don’t think he was wrestling his best today. Max needs to take advantage of his speed and keep on scoring points throughout his matches. If he can do this, he will be hard to beat. He did finish well, by winning a tough match in overtime.”
Mineral Point 40, Iowa–Grant/Highland 39
(from Friday, Jan. 23 @ Mineral Point)
113 — Marcus Shannon (MP) pinned Ron Allen (IG) 1:41. 120 — Max Maylor (IG/H) won by forfeit. 126 — Jordan Jenks (IG/H) won by forfeit. 132 — Frank Baker (MP) maj. dec. Clayton Kite (IG/H) 14–2. 138 — Ross Siegenthaler (MP) pinned Trenton Arndt (IG/H), 0:52. 145 — Brandon Forseth (MP) pinned Travis Arndt (IG/H), 0:55. 152 — Boone Schmitz (MP) pinned McClain Marshall (IG/H) 4:22. 160 — Bailey Riley (MP) won by forfeit. 170 — Brady Peat (IG) dec. Sawyer Wallace (MP) 9–4. 182 — Kyle Juedes (MP) pinned Clint Havlik (IG/H), 3:42. 195 — Luke Nowak (IG/H) pinned Chris Ley (MP) 3:00. 220 — Kyle Soderstrom (IG/H) pinned Nate Cody (MP) 5:39. 285 — Brent Rider (IG/H) pinned Joey Dolphin (MP) 5:50. 106 — Sawyer Sarbacker (IG/H) pinned Bailey Lawinger (MP) 3:28.
Sparta Invitational
(from Saturday, Jan. 24 @ Sparta)
Team scores — 1.Sparta 208, 2.DeForest 171.5, 3.Holmen 161, 4.Eau Claire North 157.5, 5.Mauston 142.5, 6.Iowa–Grant/Highland 126.5, 7.Reedsburg 114, 8.Neillsville 86, 9.Franklin 82, 10.Weston/Ithaca 75, 11.Adams–Friendship 72, 12.Lancaster 68.5, 13.De Soto 58.5, 14.North Crawford/Seneca 37, 15.Black River Falls 35, 16.Princeton 32, 17.Blair–Taylor 18, 18.Hillsboro 13.
Iowa–Grant individual results
106 — Sawyer Sarbacker (24-8) placed 3rd and scored 19.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Sawyer Sarbacker (Iowa-Grant) 24-8 won by fall over Gavin Burch (Weston/Ithaca) 20-12 (Fall 1:16)
Semifinal - Tanner Schultz (Holmen) 33-2 won by fall over Sawyer Sarbacker (Iowa-Grant) 24-8 (Fall 3:45)
3rd Place Match - Sawyer Sarbacker (Iowa-Grant) 24-8 won by fall over Skylar Barth (Neillsville) 26-5 (Fall 3:39)
120 — Max Maylor (31-6) placed 3rd and scored 16.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Max Maylor (Iowa-Grant) 31-6 won by major decision over Sam Forbes (Sparta) 7-5 (MD 16-2)
Semifinal - Jarrett Dolata (Mauston) 25-6 won by decision over Max Maylor (Iowa-Grant) 31-6 (Dec 4-3)
3rd Place Match - Max Maylor (Iowa-Grant) 31-6 won in sudden victory - 1 over Tyler Deacon (Eau Claire North) 21-10 (SV-1 10-8)
126 — Jordan Jenks (11-9) place is unknown and scored 3.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jordan Jenks (Iowa-Grant) 11-9 won by major decision over Mohammed Hamed (Franklin) 8-9 (MD 8-0)
Quarterfinal - Hunter Dischler (Weston/Ithaca) 30-2 won by fall over Jordan Jenks (Iowa-Grant) 11-9 (Fall 2:00)
Cons. Round 2 - Colton Winders (Mauston) 18-10 won by decision over Jordan Jenks (Iowa-Grant) 11-9 (Dec 6-4)
132 — Clayton Kite (11-17) placed 6th and scored 11.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Clayton Kite (Iowa-Grant) 11-17 won by fall over Deven Lien (Blair-Taylor) 9-10 (Fall 0:42)
Quarterfinal - Owen Austin (Lancaster) 16-5 won by fall over Clayton Kite (Iowa-Grant) 11-17 (Fall 1:57)
Cons. Round 2 - Clayton Kite (Iowa-Grant) 11-17 won by fall over Austin Kinner (Reedsburg) 5-19 (Fall 0:29)
Cons. Semi - Clayton Kite (Iowa-Grant) 11-17 won by decision over Matt Hoppe (Franklin) 15-15 (Dec 4-1)
5th Place Match - Josh Schneider (Eau Claire North) 15-15 won by decision over Clayton Kite (Iowa-Grant) 11-17 (Dec 7-0)
138 — Trenton Arndt (5-20) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Brady Fry (Reedsburg) 12-20 won by decision over Trenton Arndt (Iowa-Grant) 5-20 (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Trenton Arndt (Iowa-Grant) 5-20 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Austin Rauls (DeForest) 15-14 won by decision over Trenton Arndt (Iowa-Grant) 5-20 (Dec 5-0)
152 — Brady Peat (23-11) placed 4th and scored 14.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Brady Peat (Iowa-Grant) 23-11 won by fall over nolan hammer (Hillsboro) 4-6 (Fall 1:41)
Quarterfinal - Brady Peat (Iowa-Grant) 23-11 won by tech fall over Logan Scoville (Desoto) 9-13 (TF-1.5 5:42 (15-0))
Semifinal - Hayden Krein (Sparta) 26-5 won by decision over Brady Peat (Iowa-Grant) 23-11 (Dec 6-0)
3rd Place Match - Trey Haugen (Reedsburg) 23-9 won by decision over Brady Peat (Iowa-Grant) 23-11 (Dec 6-2)
160 — McClain Marshall (0-6) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jared Endres (DeForest) 9-12 won by fall over McClain Marshall (Iowa-Grant) 0-6 (Fall 3:19)
Cons. Round 2 - Chris Deja (Adams-Friendship) 13-15 won by fall over McClain Marshall (Iowa-Grant) 0-6 (Fall 3:51)
170 — Luke Nowak (32-3) placed 1st and scored 26.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Luke Nowak (Iowa-Grant) 32-3 won by fall over Dominic Sinelli (Mauston) 2-2 (Fall 2:36)
Semifinal - Luke Nowak (Iowa-Grant) 32-3 won by decision over Logan VanTassel (Sparta) 29-9 (Dec 8-6)
1st Place Match - Luke Nowak (Iowa-Grant) 32-3 won in sudden victory - 1 over Jake Rueth (Neillsville) 29-1 (SV-1 5-3)
220 — Kyle Soderstrom (26-9) placed 2nd and scored 22.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Kyle Soderstrom (Iowa-Grant) 26-9 won by fall over Aaron Finkel (Reedsburg) 17-13 (Fall 1:14)
Semifinal - Kyle Soderstrom (Iowa-Grant) 26-9 won by decision over Nick Rueth (Neillsville) 27-3 (Dec 6-0)
1st Place Match - Charles Serauskas (Holmen) 21-2 won by fall over Kyle Soderstrom (Iowa-Grant) 26-9 (Fall 2:29)
285 — Brent Rider (18-15) placed 5th and scored 15.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Brent Rider (Iowa-Grant) 18-15 won by fall over Gabe Hauser (Holmen) 10-6 (Fall 3:59)
Quarterfinal - Hunter Toppel (DeForest) 26-1 won by fall over Brent Rider (Iowa-Grant) 18-15 (Fall 2:54)
Cons. Round 2 - Brent Rider (Iowa-Grant) 18-15 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Semi - Brent Rider (Iowa-Grant) 18-15 won by fall over Kevin Reese (Blair-Taylor) 16-11 (Fall 4:09)
5th Place Match - Brent Rider (Iowa-Grant) 18-15 won by decision over Gabe Hauser (Holmen) 10-6 (Dec 8-4)
