CL grapplers open 2016-17 season

The Clear Lake wrestling team opened the 2016 season with a pair of duals against Top of Iowa Conference teams.  The Lions topped host Belmond-Klemme, 66-15, but fell to Lake Mills, 45-30.

The Lions recorded five falls in the win over Belmond-Klemme.  Eric Faught (113), Braxton Doebel (132), Ryan Leisure (145), Chance Poley (170) and Kade Hambly (182) pinned their opponents.

“We wrestled well.  It was a good start as a whole.  It gave us a look look at where we can improve as wrestlers,” said Coach Mike Lester.

Against Lake Mills, the Lions won at five weights, all by fall.  Faught, Doebel, Leisure and Ben Finn pinned their opponents.  In addition, Kyle Willms showed the “true form of Clear Lake wrestling,” according to Coach Mike Lester.  Willms was was down 2-1 at 220, but battled back to get a fall late in the third. “He wrestled at a pace that wore his opponent down and capitalized with a fall,” said Lester.

St. Ansgar Tournament

The Lions rolled to three lopsided wins in their pool at Saturday’s St. Ansgar Tournament, but were edged in the championship match by Dubuque Wahlert.

Earlier in the day the Lions were winners over Clarksville (57-21), St. Ansgar (54-18) and Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (78-6).

In the championship against Dubuque Wahlert, the match was split 7-7 and the winner was determined by bonus points.  Whalers was declared the winner, 42-37.

“This group has great poten

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tial.  They are extremely fun to coach as they have worked hard in the room to get better each day,” said Coach Mike Lester. “We will see this group continue to get better throughout the year.”

Five Lions were undefeated on the day.  Eric Faught was 4-0 with four pins at 113;  Bryan Hillyer was 4-0 with two pins at 120;  Braxton Doebel was 4-0 with two pins at 132;  Ryan Leisure was 4-0 with four pins at 145; Kyle Willms was 4-0 with three pins at 220.

Freshman Connor Morey went 3-1 at 106.  Jackson Hamlin also looked tough at 126, going 3-1 with two pins.

“We need to work on a few skills to eliminate bonus points,” said Coach Lester.  “We are going to get better this week to lead into Clarion and Iowa Falls on Thursday.”

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