Long time coming: Martzahn celebrates win No. 100 at home duals

HAMPTON — Jaycob Martzahn has put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears into his Bulldog wrestling career.

The senior had the work culminate in 100 career wins to cap the Bulldog Duals on Saturday, Jan. 11.

“It feels pretty good,” Martzahn said. “The hard work it’s taken. The first two years didn’t go as planned, way I wanted. Junior and senior year have really taken off.”

Head coach Patrick Hansen had to agree.

“His first two seasons, I think he had 14 and 17 wins and then come out and have a great season last year,” coach Hansen said. “And to get it at the H-D Duals, that’s great for him. He was kind of upset how that match went, but a win is a win, right?”

The milestone victory came in a 5-0 decision over Iowa Falls-Alden’s Mason Kent. Following a scoreless first period, Martzahn chose down, escaped and got a takedown to lead 3-0 heading to the third. He turned Kent for two in the third when the Cadet wrestler chose down to finish it off.

“I’m really excited (to get that win),” Martzahn said, “excited for more to come.”

Ask coach Hansen, and he thought Martzahn wanted to do better for the victory.

“He’s a good kid from Iowa Falls-Alden (that Martzahn beat),” coach Hansen said, “but he always wants more. He doesn’t want to just win, he wants to win by major decision or pin. That’s why he’s gotten to where he is at.”

With a 28-2 record this season, Martzahn has gone unnoticed by both state wrestling organizations that rank high school wrestlers.

Ask Marzahn, and he says it doesn’t bother him.

“Yeah, people don’t expect it (that I’m good),” Martzahn said.” Coming in, no one knows who you are. Hopefully, state comes and I’ll be ready.”

Coach Hansen says secretly it bothers Martzahn.

“He would not think so, but I think so (that it’s a good thing he’s under the radar),” coach Hansen said. “I think it’s great because they really don’t gun for you. People don’t really know who he is yet. A lot of coaches do, but some don’t and they are going to find out, eventually.”

Team-wise, the Bulldogs finished 3-1 with their only loss to Lake Mills, ranked fourth in Class 1A duals by the The Predicament. They improved to 12-8 in the duals overall this season.

“One of those things that when they won the flip, I knew this was going to be tough,” coach Hansen said of Lake Mills. “They have some kids they can move around. They have a lot as a dual team. They are tough and they’ve got good coaches. It was good to finish with a win against Iowa Falls-Alden. They are a really tough squad, too.”

IF-A actually was a late addition because of weather concerns. The Cadets were originally scheduled to go to Prairie City-Monroe, but snow and ice cancelled that meet. They replaced Collins-Maxwell, which couldn’t travel because of road conditions to the south.

Besides Martzahn, going 4-0 for the day for the Bulldogs were Jack Showalter at 113 and David Cornejo (145).

Cornejo actually earned an upset victory over IF-A’s Cayden Howland.

“The 145-pounder is ranked eighth,” coach Hansen said of IF-A’s wrestler. “David and him always go back-and-forth. That’s a good upset to get. They are going to wrestle Thursday, wrestle next Saturday and the next Saturday. The Howland kid is good, that’s why it is a good match to watch.”

Several more went 3-1 for the Bulldogs.

“We won a lot of matches today, maybe two or three matches that we should have won that we didn’t,” coach Hansen said. “We won a lot of matches that we should have, which is a major improvement for us. That’s what we are working on right now, winning the matches we should win and upset people when we can.”

As the post-season approaches, Martzahn feels confident.

“Going to practice, (I’m) working pretty hard,” Martzahn said. “I’m ready.”

Bulldogs 60

Belmond-Klemme 24

152— Jaden Warren (B-K) pinned Tate Schmitt 4:26; 160— Braden Hansen (H-D) pinned Zadin Whitehurst 0:43; 170— Aleks Salinas (H-D) won by forfeit; 182— Bryan Flores (H-D) won by forfeit; 195— Elias Cortez (H-D) pinned Marcos Gonzalez 1:55; 220— Logan Walker (H-D) pinned Michael Schleisman 3:11; 285— Brandon Acuna (B-K) pinned Alex Koch 1:55; 106— Taylor Nelson (B-K) won by forfeit; 113— Jack Showalter (H-D) won by forfeit; 120— Jakyb Kapp (H-D) pinned Kaedon Furman 1:36; 126— Kaden Hanson (B-K) pinned Andyn Showalter 0:41; 132— Jaycob Martzahn (H-D) pinned Dawson Summers 1:58; 138— Carl Barkema (H-D) pinned Jordan Keul 1:20; 145— David Cornejo (H-D) pinned Bryson Warren 1:10.

Bulldogs 59

East Buchanan 24

160— Braden Hansen (H-D) pinned Tate Fults 2:36; 170— Bryan Flores (H-D) won by forfeit; 182— Aleks Salinas (H-D) won by forfeit; 195— Elias Cortez (H-D) won by forfeit; 220— Luke Recker (EB) pinned Logan Walker 1:35; 285— Landon Nunemaker (EB) pinned Alex Koch 0:26; 106— Jaden Peyton (EB) won by forfeit;113— Jack Showalter (H-D) pinned Sam Cook 0:55; 120— Jakyb Kapp (H-D) pinned Sebastian Beatty 0:57; 126— Andyn Showalter (H-D) won by forfeit; 132— Jaycob Martzahn (H-D) pinned AJ Kremer 3:26; 138— Carl Barkema (H-D) won by forfeit; 145— David Cornejo (H-D) won by tech fall over Chase Fults 20-2, 4:40; 152– TJ Lay (EB) pinned Tate Schmitt 0:56.

Lake Mills 43

Bulldogs 24

170— Elijah Wagner (LM) major dec. Bryan Flores 12-0; 182— Brady Hanson (LM) pinned Aleks Salinas 1:43; 195— Drake Harnish (LM) pinned Elias Cortez 0:53; 220— Logan Walker (H-D) dec. Brayden Lindeman 5-2; 285— Alex Koch (H-D) pinned Riley Kirschbaum 1:47; 106— Kinser Hanson (LM) won by forfeit; 113— Jack Showalter (H-D) pinned Geraldo Vazquez 4:13; 120— Jack Ramaker (LM) dec. Jakyb Kapp 9-2; 126— Jimmy Gallardo (LM) pinned Andyn Showalter 0:54; 132— Jaycob Martzahn (H-D) dec. Alex Beaty 9-2; 138— Carl Barkema (H-D) dec. Dalton Thorson 7-3; 145— David Cornejo (H-D) dec. Brett Peterson 5-51; 152— Casey Hanson (LM) pinned Tate Schmitt 0:54; 160— Ashten Love (LM) pinned Braden Hansen 3:27.

Bulldogs 39

Iowa Falls-Alden 30

195— Elias Cortez (H-D) pinned Kolbi Tjarks 0:48; 220— Logan Walker (H-D) pinned Tanner Hoversten 2:38; 285— McKade Eisentrager (IF-A) pinned Alex Koch 0:35; 106— Logan Kobe (IF-A) won by forfeit;113— Jack Showalter (H-D) pinned Tegan Oliver 0:51; 120— Brody Hoversten (IF-A) dec. Jakyb Kapp 12-5; 126— Andyn Showalter (H-D) pinned Caleb Robinson 1:41; 132— Jaycob Martzahn (H-D) dec. Mason Kent 5-0; 138— Alberto Salmeron (IF-A) pinned Carl Barkema 1:33; 145— David Cornejo (H-D) dec. Cayden Howland 4-1; 152— Riley Burke (IF-A) pinned Chase Spradlin 1:54; 160— Colby McWherter (IF-A) dec. Tate Schmitt 11-4; 170— Braden Hansen (H-D) pinned Sckylar Huffman 4:54; 182— Bryan Flores (H-D) dec. Nic Warrington 7-4.