By Ben Meyer

Of The Gleaner

The Wahlert Golden Eagles’ wrestling team has finished this season as the most successful team in school history with a record of 21-5. “We hit a few bumps and bruises along the way, but that is expected with any team,” Coach Joel Allen said of the record. “Some guys haven’t wrestled to their full potential in some matches. We left a couple out there, but we’re pretty satisfied at where we are at.”

Despite this being Allen’s second year coaching the team, there is no doubt that he is turning the program in the right direction. “Mr. Allen is a champ. He has taken this team to a whole new level. We would not be where we are now if it weren’t for (him),” senior Riley Hasken said.

Wahlert may normally be seen as a “basketball school,” but Allen is working towards improving the wrestling culture. “It all comes down to making it fun,” Allen said about making wrestling more popular. “We’re trying to do a lot with promoting the team and also building up the Little Eagles’ program. It all begins with a larger number of kids willing to go out.”

In his first year as coach, Allen decided that they needed to renovate the wrestling room. “I’m very proud of the wrestling room now,” Allen said. “It was a community effort and took a lot of work to accomplish, but it’s something we can be proud of.”

Sophomore Alex Fischer also believes that Coach Allan has been a major factor in the team’s success. “Mr. Allen has brought the team closer together by making wrestling more enjoyable. We always mix it up and do something different from other teams. This is where we find our success.”

Team members Hasken and senior Tristan Birt have both reached the milestone of 100 wins in their career, becoming just the 20th and 21st wrestlers in Dubuque and 6 and 7th wrestlers in Wahlert history to reach the mark.

Fellow senior Andrew Turner is sitting at 99 wins. “I think that says a lot about their effort. They not only worked hard this year, but have consistently worked hard all four years and it has paid off,” Allen said.

Despite accomplishing these feats, Hasken and Birt are not completely satisfied. “My goal is the state championship, and I will do everything I can to make that possible,” Hasken said.

Hasken placed fifth at state last year and Birt is currently defending his own state title, but he is focused on repeating. “I don’t really think about it. I just continue to work hard and take it one match at a time,” Tristan said

The team had a great showing at the MVC tournament where Hasken placed first and both Birt and Turner placed second.

The younger wrestlers are definitely taking note of the upperclassmen’s success on the mats. “The veterans on the team are very helpful when you need a question answered. They are always willing to help. The veterans keep team morale high, especially senior Myles Wernimont,” Fischer said.

“This season has flown by, but it has been a lot of fun,” Coach Allen said. “The highlight of the season is probably our win against Linn-Mar with freshman Blake Bradley pinning a senior in his first varsity match to win the dual.” This seemed like a turning point for the wrestling team in their quest for state.

With sectionals this weekend, then districts and then state, the Golden Eagles are keeping their eyes on the prize. “I think we should get to state duals, win sectionals for the first time in school history, send nine kids to districts, and have six kids make it to state,” Allen said. Certainly, the potential is there for the team to make a successful run through sectionals and districts to get to state. From there, “Watch out for Wahlert at state,” Lenz said