Led by state champions Cael Happel and Cooper Siebrecht, the Lisbon Lions brought home the 1A state title. Lisbon won the team title with 127.5 points to second place Don Bosco with 121 and Denver with 86 points. This marked the 16th state tile in the history of Lisbon Wrestling leaving the Lions one shy of a tie with Waterloo West with 17 titles as the most successful program in Iowa High School wrestling history.
This title also pushed Lisbon coach Brand Smith into sole first place for most state titles won at 12. Coach Smith was tied with legendary Waterloo West coach Bob Siddens at 11 titles. I do not think Coach Smith is done winning titles just yet. If anything, I believe his coaching is getting better with every passing year. I am hoping that the coaching staff with a great collection of former Lisbon wrestlers that competed for Coach Smith as a Lion keep doing what they are doing.
Cael Happel had another amazing state tournament. In the finals at 120 lbs., Happel was dominating in scoring a 27-12 tech fall in 4:45 over Daniel Meeker of Wapello. In his four matches at state, Happel had two pins and two tech falls to score an impressive 29 team points out of a possible 30. Happel, a sophomore, has now a state title in each of his first two seasons and is on track to become the fourth four-time state champion in the history of Lisbon Wrestling.
Cooper Siebrecht capped off a great career by winning a state tile at 145 lbs. Siebrecht defeated Wade Mitchell of Woodbury Central 4-3 in the finals. Siebrecht signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle at Minnesota State (Mankato) next season.
Cobe Siebrecht, a junior, was a State runner-up at 126 lbs. after placing second at 106 last year. It is rare for a wrestler to move up three weight classes in a year and perform the way that Siebrecht did this season. Senior Bryce Werderman capped of his career as a runner-up at 170. Werderman lost a close 6-5 decision in the finals.
Lisbon got some much needed points in the consolations on Saturday morning from two seniors. Kaden Kilburg responded from a close 3-0 loss in the semifinals to score a pin and major decision for huge team points to place third at 152 lbs. Jake Jennett at 195 lbs. had a pin on his way to placing fifth. Those five bonus points proved to be a lot in a team race decided by 6.5 points.
State Qualifiers Gage McCoy (113), Ryne Mohrfeld (132) and Logan O’Connor (220) did not place, but scored some huge team points. Mohrfeld scored two team points and O’Connor scored four points. To repeat my line above, that is six huge points in a team race decided by 6.5 points. The title won was truly a team effort.
The Lisbon seniors left their mark on the history of Lisbon Wrestling. Best of luck to Cooper Siebrecht, Kaden Kilburg, Bryce Werderman, Jake Jennett, Logan O’Connor and Clay McCoy,
Lisbon will lose 76.5 of their 127.5 points to graduation. That means the Lions will return only 51 points next season. I can see Lisbon being no higher than a pre-season #3 behind Don Bosco and Denver for next season. Lisbon will have two-time defending State champion Cael Happel and two-time Runner-up Cobe Siebrecht to lead the team along with 2016 placewinner Ryne Mohrfeld and State qualifier Gage McCoy. Lisbon will have a very talented freshman class next season with another Happel and Siebrecht coming up among others. The Lions will have their work cut out for them to make it a three-peat. A lot will depend on Lisbon wrestlers of all ages competing in freestyle tournaments, camps, and training between now and next November.
But With Brad Smith, that coaching staff, and a room full of talent, the Lions will be in the hunt come tournament time next year. If there has ever been a high school coach better at peaking their team to wrestle their best when it counts at tournament time than Brad Smith, I have never heard of them. How fitting that Coach Smith has the record for most state title won by a coach. The next state title won by Lisbon will put them in a tie with Waterloo West as the most successful program in the history of Iowa high school wrestling. Look for Coach Smith to push for a another title next season. Which had already began.
Thank you to the wrestlers and coaches for the great entertainment this season in the form of Lisbon Wrestling. As I stated in an earlier blog, the connection of the people of Lisbon and their wrestling program is a slice of Americana. The wrestling program is a reflection of the tough, hard-nosed people of Lisbon, Iowa USA that work hard every day and never quit at anything they do. It just doesn’t get any better than that. It is an understatement to say that is is great to have Lisbon on top of the wrestling world again, where we belong.
Our coach has the record for the most titles won in Iowa high school wrestling history. Now let’s get the record of most team titles won.
Go get team title #17.
Go Lions!
113 – Gage McCoy (29-22) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Wyatt Dale (Central Decatur, Leon) 44-11 won by fall over Gage McCoy (Lisbon) 29-22 (Fall 1:36)
- Cons. Round 1 – Daltin Roest (Manson Northwest Webster) 40-11 won by fall over Gage McCoy (Lisbon) 29-22 (Fall 2:26)
120 – Cael Happel (52-2) placed 1st and scored 29.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Cael Happel (Lisbon) 52-2 won by tech fall over Uvaldo Camarillo (Postville) 41-8 (TF-1.5 4:00 (19-4))
- Quarterfinal – Cael Happel (Lisbon) 52-2 won by fall over Casey Baker (Interstate 35,Truro) 50-6 (Fall 3:51)
- Semifinal – Cael Happel (Lisbon) 52-2 won by fall over Cael Frost (Don Bosco-Gilbertville) 38-13 (Fall 4:27)
- 1st Place Match – Cael Happel (Lisbon) 52-2 won by tech fall over Daniel Meeker (Wapello) 44-5 (TF-1.5 4:45 (27-12))
126 – Cobe Siebrecht (51-2) placed 2nd and scored 20.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Cobe Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-2 won by major decision over Danny Nordquist (Panorama-Panora) 42-12 (MD 13-2)
- Quarterfinal – Cobe Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-2 won by major decision over Nolan Noonan (Casade) 54-8 (MD 15-2)
- Semifinal – Cobe Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-2 won by decision over Jacob Mcbride (Newman Catholic) 47-2 (Dec 10-3)
- 1st Place Match – Alex Thomsen (Underwood) 51-1 won by major decision over Cobe Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-2 (MD 18-6)
132 – Ryne Mohrfeld (42-15) place is unknown and scored 2.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Brady Henderson (North Linn-Troy Mills) 33-5 won by decision over Ryne Mohrfeld (Lisbon) 42-15 (Dec 3-2)
- Cons. Round 1 – Ryne Mohrfeld (Lisbon) 42-15 won by major decision over Zach Hammes (Pekin) 23-8 (MD 10-2)
- Cons. Round 2 – Logan James (Underwood) 50-5 won by major decision over Ryne Mohrfeld (Lisbon) 42-15 (MD 16-3)
145 – Cooper Siebrecht (51-5) placed 1st and scored 23.50 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Cooper Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-5 won by tech fall over Bret Hoyman (Emmetsburg) 41-16 (TF-1.5 3:25 (17-1))
- Quarterfinal – Cooper Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-5 won by decision over Chance Throndson (Riceville) 43-4 (Dec 9-2)
- Semifinal – Cooper Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-5 won by decision over Garret Thompson (Logan-Magnolia) 54-5 (Dec 7-1)
- 1st Place Match – Cooper Siebrecht (Lisbon) 51-5 won by decision over Wade Mitchell (Woodbury Central, Moville) 47-9 (Dec 3-2)
152 – Kaden Kilburg (41-10) placed 3rd and scored 20.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Kaden Kilburg (Lisbon) 41-10 won by major decision over Drew Venteicher (Bedford/Lenox) 38-6 (MD 8-0)
- Quarterfinal – Kaden Kilburg (Lisbon) 41-10 won by fall over Saxon Lyman (Eagle Grove) 43-12 (Fall 0:32)
- Semifinal – Kaleb Krall (Wapsie Valley, Fairbank) 34-6 won by decision over Kaden Kilburg (Lisbon) 41-10 (Dec 3-0)
- Cons. Semi – Kaden Kilburg (Lisbon) 41-10 won by fall over Austin Eilers (Lawton-Bronson) 41-6 (Fall 5:00)
- 3rd Place Match – Kaden Kilburg (Lisbon) 41-10 won by major decision over Skeeter Bostwick (Missouri Valley) 56-5 (MD 8-0)
170 – Bryce Werderman (48-6) placed 2nd and scored 18.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Bryce Werderman (Lisbon) 48-6 won in tie breaker – 1 over Brandon Trees (North Butler-Clarksville) 48-4 (TB-1 2-1)
- Quarterfinal – Bryce Werderman (Lisbon) 48-6 won by decision over Nathan Haynes (Missouri Valley) 57-4 (Dec 10-4)
- Semifinal – Bryce Werderman (Lisbon) 48-6 won by decision over Thomas Even (Don Bosco-Gilbertville) 27-9 (Dec 3-1)
- 1st Place Match – Gabe Pauley (AHSTW) 56-0 won by decision over Bryce Werderman (Lisbon) 48-6 (Dec 6-5)
195 – Jake Jennett (42-14) placed 5th and scored 11.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Jake Jennett (Lisbon) 42-14 won by decision over Wes Geisler (Hudson) 45-4 (Dec 4-3)
- Quarterfinal – Hunter DeJong (Sibley-Ocheyedan) 47-1 won by decision over Jake Jennett (Lisbon) 42-14 (Dec 9-3)
- Cons. Round 2 – Jake Jennett (Lisbon) 42-14 won by fall over Gavyn Fischer (AHSTW) 51-11 (Fall 2:29)
- Cons. Round 3 – Jake Jennett (Lisbon) 42-14 won by decision over Brock Meyer (Sumner-Fredericksburg) 42-9 (Dec 3-2)
- Cons. Semi – Gabe Irons (Lake Mills) 53-4 won by fall over Jake Jennett (Lisbon) 42-14 (Fall 0:26)
- 5th Place Match – Jake Jennett (Lisbon) 42-14 won by decision over Wes Geisler (Hudson) 45-4 (Dec 6-5)
220 – Logan O`Connor (44-11) place is unknown and scored 4.00 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Logan O`Connor (Lisbon) 44-11 won by fall over Trenton Dirks (Westwood, Sloan) 18-4 (Fall 4:37)
- Quarterfinal – Cam Fulcher (Hudson) 32-2 won by decision over Logan O`Connor (Lisbon) 44-11 (Dec 7-6)
- Cons. Round 2 – Chaz Clark (Pleasantville) 44-5 won by decision over Logan O`Connor (Lisbon) 44-11 (Dec 5-1)
