Predicament puts out preseason rankings

NEW LONDON - As action on the mats moved from the room to the gym across the state Monday, the Predicament released its rankings for wrestling teams and individuals. While it is just a preseason list compiled by the magazine, rankings can put a target on a team or wrestler. Maybe that motivates. Maybe it overwhelms.

'I have seen rankings have both effects on kids, but it is always nice to get recognized for your school, family, team, town, program and community,” New London head coach Mark Chiri said.

The New London Tigers were slotted at No. 5 in Class 1A with four wrestlers ranked in the Top 10 of their respective weights. Currey Jacobs is listed at 195 pounds in the No. 4 position. New London teammates Marcel Lopez is No. 1 at 120, Dominic Lopez No. 2 at 145 and Josh Glendenning No. 8 at 152.

Highland had two wrestlers mentioned with Easton Schlabaugh at No. 5 in the 106 pound category and Bryce Thompson at 113 was No. 8. Also in Class 1A was Sigourney-Keota's Jack Clarahan in seventh at 160 pounds and Pekin's Mason Juhl at eighth at 182 pounds. In Class 2A, Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union's Lane Scorpil was second at 106.

There are always differing opinions on rankings and Chiri definitely has his own take.

'I always joke rankings are for grandparents and parents to put on their fridge,” he said.

Team rankings are a tossup especially since there are two ways to judge a team and two different state tournaments championships that can be won. There is the duals, where every wrestler on one team goes against the same weight guy on the opposite team. Then there is the tournament title where every win in a bracket-style competition accumulates points toward a team total.

'Should we be the No. 5 team in the state ‘tournament-team-wise?'” Chiri asks rhetorically. 'Maybe, maybe not. We don't have much depth, but we have quality.”

The Tigers have a two-time returning state champion in Marcel Lopez and fourth-place finisher in brother Dominic Lopez. Curry and Glendenning each won one match at state and a second win would have guaranteed a place on the podium.

There are many aspects to consider for a team to place at state. There are a lot of things that can be controlled and a lot that can't in any outcome.

'Can we stay healthy, will we get good draws or bonus points?” Chiri asks. 'One year, we got second at state as a team and lost by 100 points to the first-place team. Our point total could have won in other years.”

The rankings are merely educated guesses about a team or individual while the state tournament is the chance to prove those rankings right or wrong if one was never recognized with a ranking.

Every wrestler is different. Sometimes rankings are a culmination of years of hard work, sometimes it's a depleted weight class. Oftentimes reputation matters with respect for a team, an area of the state, a conference or coaches.

Chiri's staff has had Brian Swafford for 34 of his 35 years. This year the staff also has former Burlington head coach Mike Richart, along with the New London shop teacher, Joe Garvey, a state qualifier back in the day.

Good coaches are able to keep their kids levelheaded and grounded. Chiri has had returning state champs not place and first-time qualifiers make the finals. Each athlete is motivated in different ways. Knowing which buttons to push is always a coach's challenge.

'Winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing,” Chiri said. 'The only place lonelier than the top is the bottom.”

Peer pressure is real so having leaders is important as they 'show others the road to success through hard work and dedication,” Chiri said. 'It is as simple as that for many.”

Wrestling is a sport that many don't understand and aren't interested in yet others just love it and can't get enough. High school wrestling is one sport where discipline can make a difference, regardless of God-given ability. Hard work and dedication can actually propel an average athlete to great achievements.

'Wrestling teaches lasting life traits in this new video-age world,” Chiri said. 'Anything we can do as coaches or parents or fans to promote the sport and make it more fun and interesting, I am all in on,

'So whether rankings are right or wrong, they make the sport more fun!”

THE PREDICAMENT

State Tourney Team Rankings

CLASS 1A

Parenthesis indicates number of currently ranked wrestlers on a team.

1. Don Bosco (10), 2. Lisbon (8), 3. Logan-Magnolia (5), 4. West Sioux (5), 5. New London (4), 6. Lake Mills (4), 7. Woodbury Central (5), 8. Underwood (3), 9. Mount Ayr (4), 10. Hull Western Christian (2)

CLASS 2A

1. West Delaware (9), 2. Osage (5), 3. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (4), 4. Davenport Assumption (5), 5. Crestwood (4), 6. Union (5), 7. Centerville (2), 8. Central Lyon-GLR (3), 9. West Burlington/Notre Dame-Danville (3), 10. Solon (3).

CLASS 3A

1. Southeast Polk (9), 2. Waverly-Shell Rock (8), 3. Waukee (11), 4. Fort Dodge (8), 5. Bettendorf (8), 6. Iowa City West (7), 7. Norwalk (5), 8. Ankeny (5), 9. Linn-Mar (4), 10. Johnston (6).