Wildcats collect double dual sweeps

Wrestling

     Sweeps of a pair of double dual meets were followed by a tournament for the Maquoketa Valley High School wrestling team last week.

     The Wildcats wrestled in a double dual meet Dec. 12 at Clayton Ridge, won both of their matches, by scores of 66-9 over Clayton Ridge and 57-21 over Postville.

     Cole Kruse, at 220 pounds, pinned both of his opponents. Getting two wins with a single pin were Canyon Richardson at 132 and Tim Harmon at 138. Also going 2-0 were Michael Feldmann at 285 and Chance Downs at 145.

     “Overall I liked what I saw as far as effort and progress,” MV coach Tim Andrews said. “It was also good to get some more guys healthy and back in the lineup.”

     On Dec. 14, the Wildcats traveled to Alburnett for a double dual meet, and won both matches, beating Alburnett 66-18 and Central Elkader 72-6. Forfeits were a big part of the event, with 12 Wildcats receiving at least one forfeit win.

     Those scoring pins for MV included Robert Hildebrand, Cole Kruse, Carter Kruse,  Chance Kemp, Isaac Kramer, Mitch Smith, Harmon, Feldmann, Richardson and Downs.

     MV then competed in the North Linn tournament Dec. 16, and placed sixth out of 11 teams with 84 points.

     Three Wildcats finished second in their weight classes: Downs at 145, Smith at 160 and Cole Kruse at 195. Hildebrand was fourth at 152.

     “Overall I was happy with how the guys competed,” Andrews said. “We only wrestled seven guys in the varsity division, and six of them placed. I am encouraged as we head into the holiday break.”

Girls basketball

     Maquoketa Valley jumped to a 29-12 lead by halftime, and went on to defeat Lisbon 59-36 Dec. 8 in Delhi.

     Sam Wall scored 25 points, shooting 8-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range. Gracie Gellersen had 11 points and four assists. Macy Hoeger had six rebounds, and Payton Ries had five. Wall also had three steals for the Wildcats (3-1, 7-2).

Boys basketball

     Maquoketa Valley won one out of three games in recent Tri-Rivers Conference boys basketball action.

     MV (1-3, 2-4) traveled to Lisbon for a Dec. 8 game, and lost a 62-56 decision. The Wildcats trailed 30-19 at halftime, outscored the Lions in the second half, and fell short. Three Wildcats scored in double figures: Brock Hiller with 18 points, Tyson Tucker with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Trevor Elgin with 11 points and seven rebounds.

     On Dec. 12, the ‘Cats played host to Alburnett, and lost 72-38. Tucker had 12 points and six rebounds, and Brian Heims came off the bench to score seven points. Elgin made three assists.

     The Wildcats got back in the win column Dec. 16 at home against Midland, winning 52-33. Tucker had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Elgin scored nine points, and Andrew Holtz had seven. Hillers had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. MV took a 30-16 lead by halftime and pulled away.