Grapplers close Coach Weber’s home stand with a victory

In front of a huge home crowd, the Clear Lake wrestling team beat county rival Mason City Tuesday night, Jan. 19.

“It was Parents Night, Senior Night, Joe Colon Night, Elementary Wrestling Night, Middle School Night, Coaches vs. Cancer Night, the pep band played and the chorus sang the National Anthem.  Needless to say, the gym was full,” said Coach Gary Weber, who was also part of the festivities, as he coached his final home meet.  He will retire at the end of the school year after leading the Lions for 34 years.

The wrestlers did not let the big crowd down. Both teams won seven matches, but the Lions had  six pins and won, 39-29.

“Our staff really emphasizes the team aspect in wrestling. Not all programs do. Our kids go after the pin and work on not getting pinned so they can help the team,” said Weber.

Clear Lake had pins by Will Kirschbaum, Ben Finn, Ryan Leisure, Ace Walton, Kyle Willms and Eric Faught.  Jackson Hamlin had a good match and won by decision.

“I was pleased that Kaleb Froiland moved up two weight classes and did not get pinned,” added Weber.  “Dalton Grell lost 7-0 and also saved valuable team points.”

New Hampton 50, CL 24

On Thursday, the Lions traveled to New Hampton to take on the state’s number one ranked team.  The Lions lost, 50-24.

Clear Lake won five matches and lost nine.   The Faught brothers, Eric and Ryan, both beat state ranked wrestlers to highlight the night. Ryan Leisure, Ace Walton and Kyle Willms all had pins for Clear Lake.

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New Hampton 50, CL 24

106: Eric Faught (CL) over Dylan Robinson (Dec 5-0) 113: Noah Fye (NH) over Jackson Hamlin (MD 14-1) 120: Connor Cleveland (NH) over Braxton Doebel (Fall 0:58) 126: Tyler Shatek (NH) over Ben Hillyer (Fall 1:31) 132: Keaton Geerts (NH) over Will Kirschbaum (Fall 1:48) 138: Ryan Leisure (CL) over Cody Bearman (Fall 0:22) 145: Keegan Tenge (NH) over Kaleb Froiland (MD 13-0) 152: Ryan Faught (CL) over Ryan Gorman (Dec 2-1) 160: Drew Boeding (NH) over Marcus Soto (Fall 4:12) 170: Noah Glaser (NH) over Dalton Grell (Fall 1:35) 182: Jace Cajthaml (NH) over Kade Hambly (Fall 1:03) 195: Ace Walton (CL) over Adam Wurzer (Fall 1:55) 220: Areon Day (NH) over Spencer Christensen (Fall 4:12) 285: Kyle  Willms (CL) over Noah Fenske (Fall 1:22)

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