A long wait for Reicks

MFL MarMac senior Taylor Reicks bracketed his prep wrestling career with a place in the Grand March. After placing sixth at 112 as a freshmen, Reicks made a return trip to Des Moines this year as a senior. He finished seventh at 140 of the Class 2A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

“That was the goal coming in and stuff,” Reicks said. “I was shooting a little higher.”

Reicks didn’t reach the state tournament as a sophomore and junior. He advanced in his final chance and will be on the awards stand Saturday night. Reicks beat Cheyne Reiter of Union Community, 13-0, finishing with a 42-4 record this year.

“I’m definitely looking at the season as a success,” Reicks said. “I finished my career with a win. That was important to me. I wanted to go out on a good note.”

He watched intently as senior teammate Andrew Rodas also ended his career with a win, beating Charles City’s Jesse Johnson, 10-8, for third place at 160.

For state tournament photo gallery:

http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?process=gallery&gallery_id=75663&provider_id=66

Welcome to the Don Bosco and Ballard Show!

The performances the Don Bosco Dons and Ballard Bombers have provided are amazing. After the semifinals, Don Bosco led the Class 1A team race with 172, leading second-place Belle Plaine by 85.5 points. Ballard blew way the 2A field, tallying 196.5 to lead Clear Lake by 118.

Don Bosco posted a 26-1 record after the semifinals and needs to win just won match to break its 1A team scoring record set last year with 175.5. Ballard has already crushed its 2A scoring record (181.5) set last year. Both have a legit chance to top Council Bluffs Lewis Central’s record of six state champions in one year, which was six in 2001.

For state tournament photo gallery:

http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?process=gallery&gallery_id=75663&provider_id=66

For Morris, success breeds success

Solon’s James Morris is well-known for his exploits on the football field. Morris, a junior and University of Iowa football recruit, is a two-time first-team all-state running back and was the first junior named the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year.
Now he can add a state wrestling medal to his trophy case. Morris locked up a spot on the awards stand with a 3-2 quarterfinal win over Independence’s Ryan Fank.
Which is tougher for the standout athlete?
“For me, it’s wrestling,” Morris said. “It’s not second nature like football.”
Football has helped. He’s played in three state Class 2A championship games as a running back and linebacker for the two-time defending champion Spartans.
“It’s just getting used to and competing at a high level,” Morris said. “That carries over to competing from football to wrestling.”
Playing in front of 8,000 fans at the UNI-Dome prepared Morris for the state meet atmosphere, known to overwhelm some competitors.
“It calms the nerves, performing in front of a huge crowd,” Morris said. “That plays a big factor for a wrestler.”

 

 

 

For state tournament photo gallery:

http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?process=gallery&gallery_id=75663&provider_id=66