Any time a wrestler from my hometown of Lisbon, Iowa USA takes the mat in the Black and Gold of Iowa Wrestling, it is a big deal. Last night was a big deal. Cobe Siebrecht from Lisbon took that mat in his Iowa Wrestling and Carver-Hawkeye Arena debut as a varsity wrestler against Princeton.
It took Siebrecht only 2:25 to rack up a 16-1 tech fall in front of the home crowd. The opening takedown was a great flurry that saw Siebrecht counter with a headlock for the takedown. Once on top Siebrecht scored on three four-point tilts to make it 14-0. After an intentional release Siebrecht secured the takedown for a tech fall in just 2:25 over Josh Breeding.
Siebrecht is in his third year in the program at the deepest weight in the Iowa lineup. Senior Max Murin is the defending varsity starter at 149 and is out with an injury. Siebrecht won the 149 lbs. title last weekend at the Luther Open. Redshirt freshman Bretli Reyna defeated senior Vince Turk in overtime in the semifinals. Reyna then had an injury default to Siebrecht in the finals. Siebrecht earned his spot in the lineup and took full advantage of it.
Siebrecht was a state champion and two-time state runner-up for former Iowa NCAA national champion Brad Smith at Lisbon. Cobe is one of three Siebrecht brothers to win a state title for Smith at Lisbon. To add to the list of wrestlers that have competed for Iowa Wrestling from our small farming community of Lisbon is a huge source of pride.
For Lisbon people and fans like my dad Francis and I this was a great time. To have someone you have watched grow up and develop in Lisbon Wrestling out on the mat in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the legendary Iowa Wrestling program is as good as it gets.
I do not know where Siebrecht will fit in the lineup for the remainder of the season but I sure hope he gets another shot. Maybe we see Siebrecht at Midlands and several other early season Open tournaments.
I always say that Iowa Wrestling is my entertainment. For right now I am going to enjoy that moment with my dad last night watching the Siebrecht match in Carver. That was great entertainment and a match to remember.
It is great to be an Iowa Wrestling fan.
Go Hawks!
