Williamsburg's Peyton Thede escapes from Crestwood's Jose Lievano in a match at the Williamsburg Round Robin Invitational Saturday, Jan. 24 in Williamsburg. (Ben Lamparek/Hometown Current)

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WILLIAMSBURG — Go ahead and call him theatrical Thede.

Williamsburg wrestler Peyton Thede went 5-1 Saturday at the Williamsburg Round Robin Invitational at 150 pounds, four of his wins coming after falling behind in the match.

In his second match of the day, Thede trailed Fairfield’s Dusty Haynes 14-0.

“I was a little upset, and it was getting to me in the match,” Thede said. “I just had to keep my head in the game and keep wrestling.”

Thede chose top to start the final period.

“Once I picked top I knew it was now or never, so I just worked one of my moves that the coaches have taught me,” Thede said.

The move worked wonders, and Thede secured the fall and the win.

Thede’s next match had just as many theatrics.

After an injury timeout, trailing 14-9 late in the third period, Thede got the takedown and was able to turn over Pella’s Hunter Haynes for another win by fall.

“After that injury timeout, I got my head back in the game and was ready to wrestle again,” Thede said. “I fought as hard as I could and was happy to get the victory.”

Thede is now 21-16, showing the potential to win during the entire season.

“I’ve had a tough season, but I’ve just been trying to get my mental game right and keep battling and working as we head toward districts,” Thede said.

Williamsburg won the team title with 225 points and two champions.

Here a few other highlights from the meet for the Raiders.

Williamsburg's Riker DeWitt, left, wrestles Grinnell's Ronan Betts in a match at the Williamsburg Round Robin Invitational Saturday, Jan. 24 in Williamsburg. (Ben Lamparek/Hometown Current)

DeWitt, Albaugh pick up ranked wins

Preparation for a match against Class 2A No. 1 Cael McCabe of Fairfield began at the start of the week for 113-pounder Riker DeWitt.

“I knew I was going to face him, and I was just constantly visualizing that I could beat him,” DeWitt said.

Mental sharpness met on-the-mat execution as DeWitt controlled the match from start to finish.

“I just had to get to my attacks, not be nervous and focus on scoring points,“ DeWitt said.

Scoreless after a period, DeWitt escaped and picked up a takedown in the second period. In the third, DeWitt rode on top for a minute before McCabe escaped and the fifth-ranked DeWitt executed one more takedown for the 7-1 decision.

“I focused on my offense and applying a lot of pressure,” DeWitt said. “He was pressing back so I just had to stay on my toes and be ready for his attack.”

A win over a top-ranked wrestler who finished third at state last year certainly brings more momentum for DeWitt heading into the postseason. His record is now 37-1.

“It feels great,” DeWitt said. “I got tech-falled to the No. 1 guy last year and now I know where I’m at. I just got to keep focusing because I still have tough competition coming up.”

DeWitt’s teammate at 132, Hayden Albaugh, was in the only weight class that had three ranked wrestlers in the field, Albaugh included.

Albaugh, ranked 11th in 2A, lost by tech fall to 2A No. 1 Carter Schmauss of Crestwood in his third match of the day.

“I felt good after even though I wasn’t super confident going in,” Albaugh said. “I almost took him down twice, just taking away the little things from that match.”

Albaugh regrouped with a tech fall win before facing Western Dubuque’s Kellen McKenna, ranked 11th in 3A.

Albaugh, down 8-5 in the third period, forced two stalling calls and got a takedown with 16 seconds remaining. The match was tied at nine and headed to sudden victory, where Albaugh stayed on the offensive and got the takedown.

“I could attribute that win to the coaches and everyone always pushing me in practice,” Albaugh said. “I had that extra gas at the end that made the difference.”

McKenna beat Albaugh early in the season by a major decision.