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Lockner a key piece to Tritons’ puzzle

Iowa Central working to enter title picture again

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Damond Lockner competes for Iowa Central last week inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

The fit was perfect for Damond Lockner.

Now, the plan is to carry over his high school success and reach the next level as an Iowa Central Triton.

The 2018 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate has already shown early signs of progress as a member of head coach Luke Moffitt’s championship program.

“Iowa Central is where I felt would be the best fit for me to further my education and wrestling career,” Lockner said. “But more importantly a place I felt would work with me as I raise my child that was just born in June.

“Family is always first for me, and the support from my family is more than I could have asked for.”

Lockner (6-3) earned a second-place finish at the Iowa State Open, then secured two wins in a triangular during the program’s home opener. He also went 2-2 at the Grand View Open at 141 pounds.

Lockner’s wrestling skills started only four miles away in the Dodger gym, where he was a three-time state medalist. Despite not being at 100 percent health-wise, he finished eighth as a senior with a record of 45-9. Lockner was fourth during his junior year, and eighth as a sophomore.

Lockner is eighth on the school’s all-time wins chart with an overall prep record of 132-33.

“I’m blessed to be wearing Iowa Central across my chest,” Lockner said. “I am looking forward to growing on and off the mat as I represent Fort Dodge through my journey.

“Right now is the time to work on my areas I need to improve on, chipping away at my weaknesses day in and day out.”

Lockner is a perfect fit for the Tritons, who return two All-Americans and two national qualifiers to a lineup that will be pushing for another national title.

“Damond has bought into what we’re doing here,” said ICCC head coach Luke Moffitt, who is entering his 15th season at the helm. “He is working really hard. I see him as potentially a Top-5 guy in the country.

“He hasn’t tapped into his full potential yet. He could finish here with some huge accolades when all is said and done.”

The Tritons had a strong run a season ago, finishing second overall with six medalists — including national champion Todd Small at 133 pounds.

Returnees Ethan Karstan and Tyree Sutton solidified runner-up showings at 157 and 197 pounds, respectively. Kevin Radcliff and Gunner Cash were both national qualifiers as well.

“We have the right guys in place,” Moffitt said. “As a team, we are probably a lot closer than in the past. This is an easy, fun group to be around.

“Recruiting-wise, we got the guys we wanted. We just have to keep developing them, day by day.”

Radcliff, who is from Chicago, is ranked seventh in the country in the early going. Radcliff took the Harold Nichols championship earlier this month.

“Kevin has impressed me,” Moffitt said. “He is the hardest-working guy on the team, and has made the biggest gains over the summer.

“After what I saw at the the Iowa State Open, I think he is on pace to be a contender.”

Josh Badillo is the frontrunner at 133 pounds for the Tritons with Joshua Garcia in the mix as well.

“Josh stayed over the summer and has worked hard,” Moffitt said. “Both guys grew up on military bases overseas, and have good work ethic.”

Yarhoski Aldiva of Virginia is projected at 149 pounds. Karsten is ranked No. 2 at 149, but is competing at 157 the early part of the season.

“Yarhoski is a returning guy with another year of experience,” Moffitt said. “Ethan is focused on getting better and stronger and getting extra workouts. He was injured last season and had surgery over the summer. He was never 100 percent, but now having him healthy is great.”

Also competing at 157 for the Tritons is Levi Trenary.

“Levi is learning every day and great to have on the team,” Moffitt said. “He is a stand out guy and is on the right path.

“He’s had a few injuries, but is working hard.”

There are three or four contenders in the mix at 165. Alex Leone from New York, Russ Jennett of Ames and Brandon Medina of Kansas are pushing each other.

“Jennett is an Iowa kid and a second-year guy,” Moffitt said. “Leone is a sophomore, so that weight will kind of figure itself out. We need someone to step up.”

Austin Lamb is a sophomore from Urbandale at 174 pounds. Ashton Eyler of Ohio, who finished fourth at the Harold Nichols tourney, is also at 174, as is Clarion-Goldfield/Dows graduate Reymundo Vasquez.

“Austin is coming off an injury and hasn’t been able to compete much,” Moffitt said. “Ashton will get better in every tournament that he is in.”

Brian Stanford of Georgia is a sophomore at 184.

“Brian is a second-year guy who jumped up a weight,” Moffitt said. “He’s had some big wins, beating some All-Americans in the past. He’s working hard in the weight room and has a ton of talent. This could be the year he will come out and be one of the top guys.”

Cannon Kelly of Davenport is at 197.

Moffitt admits the Tritons aren’t very deep from top to bottom, but his squad is loaded at heavyweight.

Gunnar Cash is ranked second in the preseason poll and will be pushed in the weight room by sophomore Amari Latimer (Maryland), Noah Broderson (Davenport) and Boone McDermott, who was a Class 2A state champion at 220 pounds last season for Dubuque Wahlert.

“This is a horserace,” Moffitt said. “We have some very capable guys.

“Gunnar did his work over the summer, bulking up from 235/240 to 260. He’s been in the weight room and we continue to work with him.”

The Tritons once again have a brutal schedule ahead, with No. 2 Iowa Lakes and 10th-ranked Ellsworth in the ICCAC alongside contenders Iowa Western and NIACC.

“Our conference is always tough, and will be once again,” Moffitt said. “It humbles them and gets them to focus on getting better. We like to find the best competition.”

Moffitt will be assisted by Troy Bennett, Bradley Banks and Kolton Kersten.

ROSTER

Yarhoski Aldiva, 141/149, Culpeper, VA; Steven Antes, 125/133, Tucson, AZ; Joshua Badillo, 133, Italy; Ben Black, 141, Glenwood; Ja’Quez Bostic, HWT, Columbia, SC; Noah Broderson, HWT, Davneport; Jonathan Carr, 165, Dayton, Ohio; Gunnar Cash, HWT, Tecumseh, Okla.; Ashton Eyler, 174, Killbuck, Ohio; Joshua Garcia, 133, San Antonio, Texas; Richardson Gbeynie, 149, Waterloo; Diyamante Hall, 133, Seattle, WA; Tyler Helfrich-Meyers, 165, Rock Falls, Ilinois; Russ Jennett, 157/165, Ames; Ethan Karsten, 149/157, Platte City, MO; Cannon Kelly, 184/197, Davenport; Trajae Lackland, 184/197, Clinton; Austin Lamm, 174, Urbandale; Amari Latimer, HWT, Baltimore, MD; Alex Leone, 157/165, North Salem, NY; Damond Lockner, 141, Fort Dodge; Boone McDermott, HWT, Dubuque; Brandon Medina, 165, Olathe, KS; Kevin Radcliff, 125, Chicago IL; Jaxson Roney, 125, Ardmore, OK; Brian Stanford, 165/174, Kingston, GA; Ronald Streets, 149, Lawrenceville, GA; Tyree Sutton, 197, Keansburg, NJ; Levi Trenary, 157, Fort Dodge; Reymundo Vasquez, 165/174, Clarion; Travis Wilers, 165, LeClaire.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 17 — at Lindenwood Open, 9 a.m.; 28 — NIACC, 7 p.m.

Dec. 1 — at Buena Vista Open, 9 a.m.; 5 — at Iowa Lakes, 7 p.m.; 8 — at Northern Iowa Open, 9 a.m.

Jan. 8 — at Ellsworth, 7 p.m.; 11 — at NEO Duals, 9 a.m.; 16 — Iowa Lakes, 7 p.m.; 19 — at Worthington Open, 9 a.m.; 23 — at NIACC Dual, 7 p.m.; 26 — at Duhawk Open, 9 a.m.

Feb. 10 — Regional Tournament at Mason City, 10 a.m.

March 1-2 — National Tournament, 9 a.m.

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