2018
Ryan Phillips was named the new head coach after Matt Orton decided it was time to step away from the program for more family time. With a young team, the J-Hawks had to battle through some tough matches and step up to fill in the line-up when needed. Both Varsity and JV did find success during the season.
At the J-Hawk Invitational, the J-Hawks crowned a champion at 182lbs, and Dawson Sweet was a runner-up at 220lbs. Then next weekend the JV went 4-1 at our own Hagerty Duels with a close loss to the powerhouse of SEP. At the Super MVC Meet J-Hawks medal 8. Braxton Bolden was our top finisher taking home a very nice 3rd place finish. Dawson Sweet was our next top finisher with a real nice 4th place finish at 220. Colton Woods took home 8th at 120, Enyeto Ahedo also placed 8th at 132. Cameron Burnell placed 6th at 138, while Antonio Pagel finished in 5th place at 145. At 160 Jacob Sherzer placed 8th and Taylor Viktora took home a nice 5th place finish at 195.
Braxton with an outstanding season. He qualified for the 2018 State tournament, as a runner-up at districts hosted by Prairie Cedar Rapids. A few days later he finished the season on the podium with an 8th place finish.
2019
With a tough season and a lot of young returners for Jefferson. This year those
young wrestlers were ready to fill those open spots in the line-up. This was also the first year the IOWCA decided they were going to recognize girls wrestling and give them their own tournament. Chloe Clemons was Jefferson dominated the girl’s division all season winning the Iowa City Tournament and the Independence tournament before going on to being crowned 2019, 120lbs Champ in Waverly, IA. Along with Chloe, Gabby Guenther and Karmen Hawkins competed in these tournaments as well. Another step closer to building the girl’s wrestling presents in Iowa. Chloe was also named Athlete of the week for KCRG and Mrs. Dan Gable top female wrestler of the year.
Other success during the season. JV finished second at the SEP duel tournament and crowning a JV MVC Championship Eli Benion. The Varsity found the podium during the season as well with. Antnio Pagel, Dakota Tatro, Austin McAllister, Enyeto Jiroutek, Cameron Burnell, Nathen Lauterwasser, Austin Clifton and Preston Bruck. All finding a way to be successful during tough competition.
Dawson Sweet continued his wrestling career in 2019 with some big wins at Benton Community and our own J-Hawk tournament. With a 3rd and a 2nd place finishes at two tough tournaments. He continued his success by punching his ticket to Des Moines and finishing on the podium at 6th place.
2020
With the J-Hawk girls team growing in numbers, they had to find a way on the
mat with tournaments getting cancelled. Gabby Guenther, and Lexi Mikulas were a
match away from getting a medal at the IOWCA Girl’s Championships.
The J-Hawks entered into the Bobcat (Western Dubuque) Duels. Many wrestlers found success that weekend with Austin Clifton, Dakota Tatro, Nathen Lauterwasser, Dallas Hartgrave, and Prestion Bruck recording winning records that weekend. Preston Bruck is the next wrestler that is starting to build, and one day finds his way to Des Moines. Preston made it to the true 2nd place match and came up just short of qualifying for State.
Dawson Sweet continues to build year after year finding success and the podium. He placed 1st at the MVC Championship. He also finished on top of the podium to take him to State. Dawson went on to finish 6th in the State at HWT. |
