Lynx crank out 2 more dual victories, improve to 5-2

HUMBOLDT - Tyler Raygor lugged a little bit of extra weight - and it came in the form of expectations - with him out onto the wrestling mat here Thursday night. But did it slow him down? Please.

Just hours after he jumped into the state's rankings for the first time in his career, Raygor - who sits at No. 10 in Class 2A at 119 pounds - shucked the bull's-eye that accompanied the number next to his name and dominated two more opponents in Webster City's dual meets with Humboldt and Manson-Northwest Webster.

Twelve of the team's 14 grapplers won at least one match and seven went a perfect 2-0, as the Lynx stormed past the Wildcats, 51-17, and Cougars, 45-24, to improve to 5-2 in duals. They are a perfect 2-0 in North Central Conference action.

"It was a real good night for us," Webster City head coach Ted Larson said. "I felt really good about our team effort and I thought we really wrestled with some mental toughness."

Royce Nessa (130), Joey Powers (135), Eric Tolle (140), Luke Shannon (145), Clay Nessa (152) and Cody Crouch (160) joined Raygor with perfect nights. Crouch was the only team member to rack up a pair of falls.

But Raygor made the loudest statements, first with a 10-2 major decision romp over previously ranked Tanner Boyd of Humboldt. He followed it up with a 20-8 beat down of Manson-Northwest Webster's fourth-ranked (1A) Jesse Partlow - a seventh-place medal winner at 112 at last season's state tournament.

Raygor went back to the fireman's carry to score repeated takedowns on both and he also showed each of his foes the lights, which produced a bevy of near-fall points.

"Raygor had an outstanding night," Larson said. "Rankings can help a kid or hurt a kid, and I think it will help him. He's just really dedicated himself to this sport and it's great to see."

Webster City jumped out to a 30-0 lead on Humboldt in the opening dual, thanks to five straight pins by Clay Nessa, Crouch, Garrett Johnson (171), Jacob Bullock (189) and Kit Paper (215). The Wildcats claimed four of the next five matches, but Royce Nessa started a string of four consecutive Webster City wins to close out the dual with a technical fall rout of Nick Olthoff.

But Humboldt did get the better of the Lynx in the marquee match of the dual. The Wildcats' fifth-ranked 125-pounder Tre' Rutz scored the first prep victory of his career in four tries over No. 3 Tyler Patten, 7-2. Patten opened the bout with a takedown, but Rutz took control of the final five minutes, as he handed the Lynx junior his first setback of the season.

"Patty's disappointed, but he'll shake it off and keep moving," Larson said. "I don't think Patty was really ready for this and Rutz was, so that's a good measuring stick for him to focus on and get back after it."

Manson-Northwest Webster dominated Webster City at the upper weights, resulting in four consecutive wins and a 19-6 lead after five matches to open the dual.

But freshman 103-pounder Avery Jackson swung the momentum back in the Lynx favor when he was able to get off his back and eventually pin the Cougars' Cody Blair midway through the second period to cut the margin to 19-12.

"That was huge for us," Larson said. "Avery spent a minute forty on his back in that match, but he didn't give up, and that's what turned it around for us."

The Cougars increased their lead to 25-12 before Webster City rattled off wins at the final seven weights. Patten regrouped from the loss to whip Dillon Dorage by technical fall, and Royce Nessa followed him with a pin.

Webster City will now set its sights on Saturday's Don Miller Invite in Fort Dodge, which will feature many of the state's best and brightest teams and individuals.