Anderlik, Knutson win NEIC titles; Cadet grapplers place third

CRESCO - Going toe-to-toe against some of the top grapplers in Iowa Saturday at the NEIC Tournament, the Crestwood wrestling team performed well as it placed third overall with 166 points and crowned two individual champions: Kaden Anderlik (113) and Jacob Knutson (285).

Three Cadets earned second place including: Ryan Steffen (132), Colter Bye (138) and Trae Pecinovsky (152). Trevor Trende took third at 195. Wyatt Scheidel (170) and Jared Knutson (220) both finished fourth. Matthew Slifka (106), Chris Guest (145), Hunter Fousek (120) and Tyrone Grant (160) all finished fifth.

Crestwood Head Coach Keith Slifka gave kudos to all of his wrestlers for a strong effort.

“Kaden Anderlik (113) had a nice win in overtime against Mason Cleveland of New Hampton in the finals to win his second conference championship,” Slifka said. “Jacob Knutson (285) was our other conference champion. He wrestled very well. This was the best I’ve seen him wrestle (at the NEIC meet), which was exciting.

“It was also good to see us get three other guys in the finals including Colter Bye, Ryan Steffen and Trae Pecinovsky. We knew the conference tournament would be a barn-burner overall with all the tough teams. We’re trying to get our guys polished up for the sectional tournament (Feb. 4 in New Hampton), which will be a very strong tournament. I thought we competed very respectable as a team, but we still have room for improvement.

“Starting at 106, Matthew Slifka had a lot of strong wrestlers in his class. He earned a pin in the fifth place match, which was nice to see.

“At 113, Kaden Anderlik beat Mason Cleveland in the finals. That match against Cleveland went back-and-forth because they are pretty even and pretty good.

“Hunter Fousek (120) earned fifth with a fall in the final round after getting slammed to the mat in the consolation semifinals.

“Ryan Steffen (132) had a re-match against Noah Fye of New Hampton in the finals (with Fye winning 10-2). Noah has had Ryan’s number so far. Ryan will have a tough road (at sectionals).

“At 138, Colter Bye was a nice surprise for us to get to the finals (before losing to No. 1 Keaton Geerts of New Hampton). Colter had a nice win over Jake Kuhens of Oelwein in the semis.

“Chris Guest (145) got to the semis before losing to Dalton Woodyard of Waverly, 3-1, which was still a great match for Chris. 

“Trae Pecinovsky (152) had a tough battle against Austin Yant of  Waverly in the finals, which Yant won. Tyrone Grant (160) was a little bit out-gunned, but he is a kid who will grow because he’s wrestling on the varsity team.

“At 170, Wyatt Scheidel, who took fourth, is as strong as an ox. He is deceivingly strong.

“At 195, Trevor Trende had an unfortunate loss in the semis after getting caught by Areon Day of New Hampton. Trevor’s weight class is going to be really tough (at sectionals). I am hoping Trevor will step up his game (Saturday at sectionals). 

“Jared Knutson took fourth at 220, and Jacob Knutson (285) wrestled the best of anyone on our team (at the NEIC tourney). The conference tournament was the best I’ve seen him prepare for a meet all season,” Slifka said.

 

Coach Slifka honored

It was recently announced that Keith Slifka was named Class 2A Northeast Iowa District Coach of the Year for 2016. The coach was happy to earn the award, which is voted upon by other coaches.

“This is a nice honor because you are recommended by other coaches,” Slifka said “We have the largest district in Iowa. It is humbling, and it  is also a good honor. The award is exciting, but for me as a coach, it’s more about the kids. I would rather see our kids succeed and advance to State.”

 

Team standings: 1. Waverly-SR 239 points; 2. New Hampton 227.5; 3. Crestwood 166; 4. Decorah 154.5; 5. Charles City 117; 6. Oelwein 109.5; 7. Waukon 76.5.

Cadet results are as follows.

106 - Matthew Slifka 5th 

 Quarter - Tyler Block (Wak) won by dec over Matthew Slifka (CW) (Dec 6-2); Cons. Rnd 1 - Slifka (CW) received a bye; Cons. Semi - Kyzer Engen (D) won by fall over Slifka (CW) (Fall 1:56);  5th Place -  Slifka (CW) won by fall over Zack Quade (CC) (Fall 0:23).

113 - Kaden Anderlik 1st

Quarter - Kaden Anderlik (CW) received a bye; Semi - Anderlik (CW won by fall over Mason Olsgard (D) (Fall 2:50); 1st Place - Anderlik (CW) won in sudden victory - 1 over Mason Cleveland (NH) (SV-1 7-5).

120 - Hunter Fousek 5th

Quarter - Miles Hansmeir (Wak) won by dec over Hunter Fousek (CW) (Dec 9-7); Cons. Rnd 1 - Fousek (CW) received a bye; Cons. Semi - Max Babcock (NH) won by dec over Fousek (CW) (Dec 9-3); 5th Place - Fousek (CW) won by fall over Blake Smith (Oel) (Fall 1:49).

126 - Cade Wenthold

Quarter - Austin Parmely (Oel) won by fall over Cade Wenthold (CW) (Fall 0:50);  Cons. Rnd 1 - Corban Rowley (D) won by fall over Wenthold (CW) (Fall 2:52).

132 - Ryan Steffen 2nd 

Quarter - Ryan Steffen (CW) won by fall over Lance Egan (Wak) (Fall 0:49); Semi - Steffen (CW) won by dec over Nate Lasher (CC) (Dec 7-0); 1st Place - Noah Fye (NH) won by maj dec over Steffen (CW) (MD 10-2).

138 - Colter Bye 2nd

Quarter - Colter Bye (CW) won by dec over Elijah Mitchell (D) (Dec 3-0);  Semi - Bye (CW)  won by dec over Jake Kuhens (Oel) (Dec 3-0); 1st Place - Keaton Geerts (NH) won by fall over Bye (CW) (Fall 0:38).

145 - Chris Guest 5th 

Quarter - Chris Guest (CW) won by fall over Tanner Knutson (D) (Fall 1:35); Semi - Dalton Woodyard (WSR) won by dec over Guest (CW)  (Dec 3-1); Cons. Semi - Keegan Tenge (NH) won by dec over Guest (CW) (Dec 6-2); 5th Place - Guest (CW) won by fall over Tanner Knutson (D)  (Fall 3:27).

152 - Trae Pecinovsky 2nd 

Quarterfinal - Trae Pecinovsky (CW) won by fall over Bryce Hamm (CC) (Fall 1:07); Semi - Pecinovsky (CW) won by fall over Dawson Holkesvik (D) (Fall 3:07); 1st Place - Austin Yant (WSR) won by fall over Pecinovsky (CW) (Fall 5:16).

160 - Tyrone Grant 5th 

Quarter - Ernane Da Silva (Oel) won by fall over Tyrone Grant (CW) (Fall 0:58); Cons. Rnd 1 - Grant (CW) received a bye; Cons. Semi - Isaiah Mitchell (D) won by maj dec over Grant (CW) (MD 15-3); 5th Place - Grant (CW) received a bye.

170 - Wyatt Scheidel 4th 

Quarter - Wyatt Scheidel (CW) won by fall over Kyle Gordon (Wak) (Fall 2:00); Semi - Austin Duffy (Oel) won by maj dec over Scheidel (CW) (MD 14-6); Cons. Semi - Scheidel (CW) won by fall over Jack Sindlinger (CC) (Fall 0:52); 3rd Place - Trevor Byram (WSR) won by tech fall over Scheidel (CW) (TF-1.5 5:01 (17-2).

182 - Stone Peckham

Quarter - Blain Swenson (Wak) won by tech fall over Stone Peckham (CW) (TF-1.5 2:22 (15-0); Cons. Rnd 1 - Alex Koehler (CC) won by tech fall over Peckham (CW) (TF-1.5 5:11 (20-3).

195 - Trevor Trende 3rd 

Quarter - Trevor Trende (CW) won by fall over Jeremy Bamford (Oel) (Fall 1:14); Semi - Areon Day (NH) won by fall over Trende (CW) (Fall 1:58); Cons. Semi - Trende (CW) won by fall over Landon Berns (Wak) (Fall 0:58); 3rd Place - Trende (CW) won by dec over Sam Niichel (CC)  (Dec 8-3).

220 - Jared Knutson 4th 

Quarter - Jared Knutson (CW) received a bye; Semi - Jacob Eggleston (WSR) won by fall over Knutson (CW) (Fall 1:32); Cons. Semi - Knutson (CW) received a bye; 3rd Place - Noah Hopp (NH) won by fall over Knutson (CW) (Fall 1:33).

285 - Jacob Knutson 1st 

Quarter - Jacob Knutson (CW) received a bye; Semi - Knutson (CW) won by fall over Noah Fenske (NH) (Fall 0:57); 1st Place -  Knutson (CW) won by maj dec over Andrew Snyder (WSR)  (MD 8-0).