2024
The boys wrestling program took several positive steps forward in 2023-24 showing great improvement on many levels. Our saying for the year was “How Will You Be Remembered?” It served as a rallying cry for doing everything within your power to accomplish great things
that will forever remain fond memories.
Team wise, the roster swelled to its highest enrollment in eight years. We started with near 50 kids and finished the season with 42 in the room. The improved depth allowed us to fill all 14 weights on varsity, leaving only the 106 weight class on JV empty. Varsity improved to 2-5 on the year and the JV team finished 7-9.
Two special events highlighted the home portion of the schedule. The first was celebration of a milestone for the J-Hawk Invitational tournament, now in its 50th year. Hall of Fame Coach Bill McNeil, who created the tournament, returned and was recognized publicly. We also honored former wrestlers Tom Sadler, Jim Balvanz and Jed Brown who each won titles at the first tourney half-a-century ago.
Another memorable event happened at our last home dual of the year. We hosted Dubuque Senior and conducted a Military Appreciation Night. Local US Army Recruiters (Capt. Ethan Moorman, Staff Sgt. Tyler Dvorak and Sgt. Trenton Addis) loaned us their Army competition mat for the evening and KCRG televised it live on its 9.2 access channel. Interestingly, former Jeff Coach Dick Briggs—a Hall of Fame coach himself—provided analysis for the broadcast. To help commemorate the night Coach Martin supplied the wrestlers, managers, cheerleaders, coaching staff and support crew with Army (olive-drab) green Jefferson wrestling shirts. We also rededicated the Dennis Gunder and Jon Winger Memorial wrestling trophy case. Two
years in the making, Coach Martin’s vision was to modernize the display for everyone to be reminded of Gunder and Winger’s supreme sacrifice during the Vietnam War in 1968. Many former teammates and coaches of the two heroes returned and stood center- mat as we retold their story while consecrating the display case. It proved to be a moving ceremony that left many grown men with moist eyes. And yes, your J-Hawks responded by defeating Senior (52-30) in the final meet of the dual season.
Above all, the J-Hawks displayed steady improvement throughout the winter. The hard work and gains made by each team member shined brightly during one of the toughest 3A district tournaments in the state.
Entering the final rounds six young men put themselves in a position to become state qualifiers. Many avenged losses to opponents that had beaten them earlier in the year. Unfortunately, with the extreme quality of the wrestlers in our district we were only able to have two young men punch their ticket to state. The first was freshman Jace Wendling (126). Jace met the moment in turning the tables on two guys that bested him earlier in the year. He even defeated a nemesis that sent him into the wrestle-backs earlier in the day. In doing so, he earned a trip to the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Jace joins an elite club—only the fourth freshmen in the history of Jefferson to qualify for the state tournament. To cap the day off, veteran Colin Woods (215) also gained entrance to the state tournament—making him a proud two-time qualifier.
Colin Woods and Cade Chism were voted team captains and honored at the season-end banquet; Cade did so for the second time in his career. Both seniors made huge improvements and served as excellent role-models for young eyes watching closely. Each defined what dedication and commitment are all about. They both demonstrated what work ethic and goal setting can do for you in the sport. They left the program better than they found it when joining as freshmen. And true to the season’s motto, they will always be remembered for it!
A hearty congratulations to all those who fought the good fight this winter. The trajectory of Jefferson’s mat program continues to trend upward. Let’s take the next step up in ’25 by having a productive offseason in the weight room, on the freestyle circuit, in club-team clinics and being multi-sport athletes. Best of luck to our graduating seniors. Thank you hardly seems enough. May all your future efforts be blessed. |
