MFL MarMac and Elkader Central merge wrestling programs

MFL MarMac has been one of the top Class 2A programs in Northeast Iowa for many seasons. The Bulldogs seems to crank out competitive teams and state medalists each of the last few years. Specifically, MFL coach Chet Bachman has had at least two state medalists every year since the 2005 state tournament and at least one on the awards stand since 2004.

The Bulldogs will receive a little boost, sharing their room with quality wrestlers who comprised the Elkader Central roster the last couple years. MFL and Elkader Central agreed to a co-op agreement, combining the two programs effective for the 2009-10 season.

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

Live-chat from Class 2A Regional Duals in Manchester

I will be live-chatting during the Class 2A regional duals in Manchester tonight. The teams are No. 4 West Delaware, No. 7 Independence, No. 8 MFL MarMac and Monticello.

Make sure you log on to www.iowaprepsports.com for the link to join in. Feel free to join the discussion as well. Hope we have as strong a turn out as we did for Saturday’s Class 1A sectional blog.

Class 2A Regional Dual Preview

The last time the Independence wrestling team competed at West Delaware High School it left with the only blemish of the season and a stinging feeling of defeat.
The Mustangs will get a chance to mend old wounds by leaving Manchester tonight with their second-straight berth to the state dual meet.
Seventh-ranked Independence (24-1) wrestles Monticello (19-8 ) in a Class 2A regional dual semifinal tonight at 6. The other semifinal features No. 4 West Delaware (14-2) and No. 8 MFL MarMac (18-1).
Semifinal winners will compete in regional finals immediately after the opening round. The winner advances to State Dual tournament Saturday, Feb. 28 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.
West Delaware thumped Independence, 54-22, at home in early December, but revenge is not a factor.
“I think the guys want to go to the state dual tournament,” Mustangs Coach Michael Doyle said. “We just want to compete up to our ability and give it everything we got.”
The Mustangs will have a new look, fielding eight new faces will be in the lineup from the earlier dual. Five were held out due to injury and discipline for unspecified violations.
“Our team is excited to be in the position they’re in,” Doyle said. “We’ve been looking forward to wrestle in Manchester again. We’re looking forward to goo competition and the challenge.”
Independence and West Delaware have a heated rivalry. Add a possible state tournament spot on the line, things will be electric if they collide.
“It will be a very intense setting,” Doyle said. “There will be a lot of adrenaline and an excited crowd. My guys are looking forward to that. They what to wrestle in that type of environment.”
There are no guarantees for a rematch. Monticello and MFL MarMac present huge obstacles for both teams.
“I think the teams are pretty balanced,” West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss said of the field. “If one or two kids on any team aren’t performing at a high level then their teams aren’t going to win. I think it’s that close.
“It’s one of the toughest regionals in 2A.”
The Hawks have lost tournament competitions to both Independence and MFL MarMac. Voss said the competition will help them prepare for their district.
“The nice thing about it is our kids are going to have to compete at a high level for our team to do well,” said Voss, whose team is also vying for a second straight state dual berth. “The intensity it’s going to take for our team to advance out of that regional is the intensity that our kids will have to be at to get to the state tournament.”
In other 2A regional duals, Williamsburg faces Solon and West Liberty duals Union Community at Marengo. The winners will wrestle for the state duals berth. Mount Vernon takes on host Louisa-Muscatine at Letts. The winner takes on the winner of fifth-ranked Davenport Assumption and Columbus Junction.
Two area sites host 1A competition. Belle Plaine will attempt to earn its fifth straight state duals appearance at Lisbon. The No. 2 Plainsmen face West Branch, they’ll wrestle the winner of BGM and Lisbon.
Top-ranked Don Bosco is the favorite to advance from the regional duals at Arlington. The Dons are in search of a fourth-straight state duals crown. They wrestle Valley Community. The other semifinal pits No. 8 North Linn vs. South Winneshiek.
Contact the writer: (319) 368-8679 or kj.pilcher@gazcomm.com