Ironside still influencing Eastern Iowa wrestlers

Mark Ironside (right) demonstrates how to convincingly fake a grab for the leg with former Coe wrestler and camp assistant Jared Creason as part of a session of his Ironman Wrestling Camp at Cedar Rapids Jefferson in 2004.

 

Mark Ironside is a beloved wrestling figure in Eastern Iowa. It could be the two prep state titles he won for Cedar Rapids Jefferson, his four-time All-American and two-time national champ career for the University of Iowa or the energetic, passionate and sometimes brutally honest radio analysis for Hawkeye wrestling.

Hawkeyes return plenty of talent

ST. LOUIS – The process of preparing for the 2009-10 wrestling season begins now for the University of Iowa.
No early-morning workouts are scheduled for the Hawkeyes, who won their second straight NCAA Championships team title. Just much-deserved rest before the assessment of what appears to be a promising future.

A family trio for two

Chris LeClere and Alex Burkle walked in the footprints of some pretty big shoes the last three years. The North Linn senior duo watched as two of their brothers have won state titles, and take the mat today to begin their final quest to add to the family titles.
“It would mean a ton to me,” said Chris LeClere, whose older brothers Dan, a four-timer, and Nick were state champs for the Lynx. “It would be a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Burkle is in the exact position. His brothers, Kyle and Tyler, a defending NCAA Division III national champion at Coe, won crowns. The last time North Linn crowned two champions in the same year was when Dan LeClere and Kyle Burkle won titles in 2002.
“We talk about it all the time, and actually, all the time as in every day,” Burkle said. “Chris and I do a good job of being there for each other, making sure we’re both calm.
“He reminds me of having another brother around.”
Both are ranked No. 1, entering the tournament. LeClere is 40-1 at 140 pounds. He’ll face AGWSR’s Ryan Roberts (35-7) first round. Burkle is one of 38 unbeaten state wrestlers with a 39-0 mark at 215. He drew Mount Ayr’s Cade Lambson (35-8).
The pair have wrestled together since preschool. They want nothing more than to win titles together and complete their families’ trifectas.
“We’re pretty determined,” LeClere said. “We want to get it rolling again and leave on a good note.”