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Dodgers crown 6 at W-SR

No. 3 FDSH takes runner-up honors

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Drew Bennett of Fort Dodge wrestles against Johnston earlier in the season at the Dodger gym.

WAVERLY — The No. 3 Fort Dodge wrestling team sent six to the finals at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invitational, and all six came home with titles.

The Dodgers went 9-for-11 in the medal round and finished second with 220 points behind the host Go-Hawks (252.5).

“We didn’t wrestle our best, but we finished strong in the medal round,” said FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson. “You always need the last round to be your money round. We made up some ground, but it wasn’t quite enough.”

Fort Dodge’s top-ranked wrestlers Drew Bennett (113), Brody Teske (120) and Triston Lara (138) came away with gold medals, along with sixth-ranked Damond Lockner (126), fourth-rated Cayd Lara (152) and No. 10 Triston Licht (195).

Sophomores Drevon Ross (132) and Kaden Smith (170) were both third, while Keaton Dornath (182) placed fourth and Levi Trenary (145) was fifth.

Cayd Lara (32-2) came up big for the Dodgers, earning a 9-5 decision over second-ranked Austin Yant of Waverly-Shell Rock.

Yant finished second at 132 pounds at the state meet last season, and is a three-time place winner.

Lara also beat Crestwood’s fourth-ranked Trae Pecinovsky in the semifinals.

“Yant was coming off a win at the Cheesehead (tournament). His only loss is to top-ranked Iowa City West’s (Nelson) Brands,” Thompson said. “It was a good win for Cayd to get.”

Lockner (33-5) earned a decisive 7-1 decision over Waverly-Shell Rock’s seventh-ranked Bryson Hervol in his championship match at 126.

“Damond has turned the corner,” Thompson said. “He had a dominating performance in the tournament and wasn’t really challenged.

“I hope he continues to see the potential he truly has.”

Triston Licht (12-2) earned a fall over Crestwood’s 10th-ranked Trevor Trende in 2:18 in the 195-pound championship.

“(Licht) is getting better and feeling stronger each outing,” Thompson said.

Teske (33-0) stayed unbeaten on the season with two falls and an injury default victory. He pinned Waverly-Shell Rock’s fifth-ranked Dylan Albrecht in 1:53 in the finals.

Bennett (31-0) had a fall and a major decision on his way to the championship. He earned a 13-3 major decision over Crestwood’s fifth-ranked Kaden Anderlik.

Triston Lara (33-1) earned two technical falls and a pin. He ripped through Clear Creek-Amana’s Quinn Murphy 19-4 in the finals.

“It was a pretty no-nonsense day for those three,” Thompson said. “They’re getting the job done and getting bonus points.

“They’re preparing for the final stretch.”

Ross (25-12) beat Ankeny Centennial’s Alan Ayres 13-13 in the third place match. Smith (24-13) bounced back for his third place victory over Jace Burrow of North Fayette Valley (11-3).

“It was a good way to end their day,” Thompson said. “They didn’t wrestle the way they wanted to and they weren’t happy — and we don’t want them to be happy. We want them to stay hungry.”

The Dodgers are back in action on Friday, when they’ll compete in the CIML Invitational at Southeast Polk.

Action will begin at 3:30 p.m.

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