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.

North/South All-Star meet this Saturday

The 21st Annual North/South All-Star Meet will be held this weekend and hosted by the Charles City Mat Club. Below is a press release about the yearly all-star dual and the lineups. Should be fun.

Linn-Mar placewinners at AAU state tournament

The Linn-Mar Lions submitted their state placewinners at the AAU State Tournament in Des Moines at the end of March. Four placed in the top six in their respective weight classes and divisions.

In Division B, Matt Wempen claimed the lone Lions’ state title, winning the 75-pound weight class. Toby Northrup placed sixth at 85 pounds. Wempen and Northrup are both in sixth grade.

In Division C, Joel Northrup and Allijah Jeffery both placed fourth. Joel Northrup, an eighth-grader, wrestled at 100 pounds. Jeffery, who is in seventh grade, competed in the 95-pound class. Luke Wempen (eighth grade) and Andrew Holladay (seventh grade) qualified for the meet at 120 and 152, respectively.

Governor Culver congratulates Iowa, Iowa State; says state is home to a “sports dynasty”

Governor Chet Culver congratulated the University of Iowa wrestling program and Iowa State national champion Jake Varner on their performances at the NCAA Wrestling Championships over the week at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Below is the release:

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes for defending their NCAA wresting title:

“I want to congratulate the University of Iowa wrestlers and Coach Brands for defending their national title and bringing home their 22nd NCAA title. It was a close and exciting finish, but the Hawks showed that a team effort makes all the difference. When it comes to wrestling, Iowa is home to a sports dynasty.

“Cyclones wrestling fans should be proud, too, not only because Coach Sanderson and the team had a strong third place finish but for Jake Varner earning an individual title, the 65th in the Iowa State’s history. All of these student-athletes made for another successful and exciting weekend for sports fans in Iowa.”

First-round matches at NCAA’s

Here are the opening matches for Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in St. Louis.

What’s your top 2009 state tournament memory?

Since the 2009 state wrestling tournament is still fresh in our minds, I want you to share your top memories of the four-day event. Is it the Wagner/LeClere match? Bart Reiter winning his fourth title? Maybe you’re from Central Iowa and Nicholson’s win over St. John takes the cake?

I have too many to narrow to one, but let’s share the best and/or worst of the greatest event in the state.

Check out all of the outstanding images from the state wrestling tournament taken by The Gazette photographer Cliff Jette. You can also click on the photo to access galleries.

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