Don Bosco won its 17th team title; Lisbon’s Tiernan Boots, Maquoketa Valley’s Nathan Beitz place 2nd
K.J. Pilcher
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DES MOINES – Rowdy Neighbor and Preston Klostermann have been cornerstones of the Alburnett wrestling program since they were freshman.
They have been leaders for a senior class that made state trophies an expectation instead of aspiration.
It was apropos for them to cap their careers by reaching the finals of the Class 1A state wrestling tournament Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. Both notched runner-up finishes, powering the Pirates to second-place for the second straight season and third overall.
“It's pretty fitting for these two,” Alburnett Coach Clayton Rush said. “They put a lot of time into this sport. A lot of offseason time, Florida and Des Moines trips, so I'm glad that they get to have that experience.”
Denver sophomore Gavin Landers (51-0) won his second title, scoring a takedown and reversal in a 5-1 decision over Neighbor at 126. Don Bosco sophomore Dawson Youngblut also won his second crown, beating Klostermann, 20-5, at 138.
Neighbor (46-4) and Klostermann (50-3) joined elite company in the program, becoming the sixth and seventh four-time medalists. Neighbor, a three-time finalist, won the 120-pound state last season, earning a runner-up finish at 113 in 2023 and eighth at 106 as a freshman. Klostermann improved his standing each year, going sixth, fifth and fourth before his first championship bout.
“It's pretty awesome because they come from two different avenues,” Rush said. “I would say Rowdy is a student of the game. Rowdy loves to learn wrestling and I think he just enjoys that aspect of it. Preston has just some really unique abilities on the mat. I'm glad that he got to end it on a Saturday night.”
If you really want to get a pulse on the Alburnett seniors look no further than the third-place match of 150-pounder Reece Klostermann. He faced North Tama’s Kolt Knaack, who beat Klostermann in the quarterfinals. Knaack led 12-3 when Reece Klosterman slapped on a cradle off a restart and pinned Knaack with 30 seconds remaining.
“I was in the top position and Rush told me he's going to put that left foot up so go for a cradle,” Reece Klostermann said. “Right away, he put it up and I squeezed the cradle. I had to squeeze as hard as I could. I knew I would get it (the pin).”
Rush said the seniors, including seven state qualifiers, are like his own kids, spending time with them since they were youths. He said they don’t just respect anybody but when they do they fight for them
“That third-place match for Reece was the perfect portrayal of our guys in this program,” Rush said. “He faced some adversity, quite a bit, honestly. He was coachable in the moment. He didn’t give up on himself and he just wrestled hard. That’s what our guys do.
“It doesn't always end like that, but, like I said, they give themselves a chance.”
Seven Pirates made the awards standing, including fourth-place Owen Henriksen (120), Shayden Washburn (175) and Eaghan Fleshman (215), who both were sixth and Atlee Dewitt (seventh at 113).
The end was a little bittersweet for Reece Klostermann.
“I've built relationships with everyone the last I don't know how long and it’s done now,” Reece Klostermann said. “I’ll still see them but wrestling is over with and I don't get to do what I like to do with them.”
The Pirates earned their eighth team trophy with 144 ½ points. Don Bosco, which clinched Friday, amassed 225 1/2. The Dons ended with six finalists and nine medalists. Wilton was a distant third with 109 points.
“It’s the state tournament,” Rush said. “There are always ones you want back. You’re also successful for the success of some.
“Our guys are just fighters. They give themselves a chance.”
Lisbon’s Tiernan Boots and Maquoketa Valley’s Nathan Beitz earned their third state medals with a runner-up performance.
Logan-Magnolia’s Corbin Reisz won his second title with a 10-3 decision over Boots (51-3), who placed fourth last year and fifth as a freshman. He was one of three Lions to reach the podium. Cael Stricker was sixth at 113 and Wesley Sadler was seventh at 120.
Maquoketa Valley’s Nathan Beitz closed his career with his best finish. After two straight third-place finishes, he made the 215 championship match against Ashton Honnold, of Nodaway Valley. Honnold also won his second crown, recording two takedowns for a 7-0 win.
Belle Plaine’s Aidan Timm also charged his way to a third-place finish. He closed with two pins, needing just 57 second to stop Woodbury Central’s Gavin Wiig for bronze.
“Just kept battling through,” Timm said. “No matter what just don’t quit.”
Timm’s postseason was nearly altered by a late-season skin infection that kept him off the mat for more than two weeks. He was relegated to running and lifting to keep in shape. He wasn’t fazed.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be in good enough condition to wrestle,” Timm said. “I just kept running and got in good condition.”
Timm even dropped down to 138 for William Sankot to move to 144. They were joined at state by Wade Sankot at 157. Timm’s potential to place highly was evident.
“We knew the potential and his abilities were there all year,” Heying said. “We never doubted him or hesitated.
“We talked to him about you get to 138 and the things we could do,” Heying said. “We’re going to climb that podium. We told him the whole tournament you’re the most dangerous wrestler here. Just keep that confidence and good things would come to us.
“We put the work in and it was time to take out the withdrawals.”
Timm was one of a handful of area wrestlers to place third. West Branch’s Ethan Humphrey topped Jesup’s Carver Hinz for third at 106. The J-Hawks’ Cooper Hinz earned his third state medal and best finish, getting third at 113. Jesup finished with four medalists, including Keyten Jacobsen (132) and Kaden Lange (144), who placed seventh and eighth, respectively.
South Winneshiek’s Kyle Kuboushek won bronze at 165, winning a wild 16-10 decision over Hinton’s Jackson Kounkel.
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Alburnett High School, Jesup High School, Belle Plaine High School, Lisbon High School, South Winneshiek High School, Maquoketa Valley High School, Clayton Rush, Nathan Beitz