By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

DES MOINES – Football is the future for Jared Brinkman.

Before heading off to Northern Iowa to continue his gridiron career Brinkman had some unfished wrestling business to attend to.

The Regina senior heavyweight took care of that business on Saturday night at the Class 1A state meet.

Brinkman cemented his status as one of the best to ever wear a Regina singlet, becoming the first two-time state champion in school history with a 5-2 win over North Linn senior Kyler Schott in the 285-pound title match.

“I think he’s the best ever at Regina, he’s in a league of his own,” Regina coach Adam Martensen said. “He’s one of the strongest and most athletic kids to come through Regina and he continues to go out and impress.”

Brinkman matched his coach as the only four-time qualifier in Regina history this season.

On Saturday, he staked his claim as the best ever.

Brinkman went 80-1 over the past two seasons on his way to his two state titles.

After joining Daniel Gaffey (220 in 2013), Ed Neuzil (155 in 1983), Steve Rogers (132, 1984) as Regina state title winners last season, Brinkman moved into uncharted territory with his second title on Saturday.

“That was the thing I always wanted to do was win the second one,” Brinkman said. “My goal was to win one and getting a second one was something I always dreamed about.”

A second-period scramble turned into a four-point move for Brinkman in the 285-pound title match.

With the match tied 1-1 Brinkman and Schott tumbled to the mat locked together.

Brinkman put Schott on his back for a takedown and two-point near fall to take a 5-1 lead.

“He went for a shot and it turned into a little scramble there and he was able to catch him on his back,” Martensen said. “He held him there for a good two count, Schott did a good job of scrambling and they ended up out of bounds but it happened to be the difference in the end.”

The move was enough for Brinkman to secure his second win of the season over Schott (50-2).

Brinkman won the first meeting between the two via third-period fall at a dual meet at Regina on Dec. 15.

“I had double under hooks and we kind of tripped,” Brinkman said. “There was a little scramble and I got him on his back. I definitely knew I had it for a count but I was kind of surprised it was a four-point. It worked out and I’m happy about it.”

Brinkman, who has signed to play defensive tackle at North Iowa, finished the season 38-1.

He concluded his career with nine straight state meet wins and three medals after placing fifth at 220 pounds as a sophomore in 2015.

The only loss during the two-year title run for Brinkman was a 3-2 setback to Class 3A state champion and Iowa recruit Aaron Costello of Western Dubuque.

“The Iowa state tournament is the greatest event out there,” Brinkman said. “It’s incredible. This was my goal, I accomplished it and now I’m ready to move on.”

Class 1A State Tournament

Team Scores – 1. Lisbon 97.5; 2. Don Bosco 76; 3. Sibley-Ocheyedan 75; 4. Underwood 62; 5. Alburnett 57.5; 6. Missouri Valley 54; 7. Dike-New Hartford 52; 8. Lake Mills 50.5; 9. North Linn 49.5; 10. Logan-Magnolia 46; 10. Wapsie Valley 46; 22. Regina 30.

Class 1A Championship Results

106 – Adam Allard (West Sioux) dec. Cobe Siebrecht (Lisbon) 5-2

113 – Cael Happel (Lisbon) tech. fall Devon Meeker (Wapello) 21-6

120 – Brock Henderson (North Linn) dec. Brady Kyner (Southeast Warren/Melcher Dallas) 3-0

126 – Alex Thomsen (Underwood) tech. fall Donny Schmit (Wapsie Valley) 24-9

132 – Chance Throndson (Riceville) major dec. Blake Bauer (Southeast Warren/Melcher Dallas) 12-2

138 – Kaleb Krall (Wapsie Valley) dec. Kory Van Oort (West Sioux) 1-0

145 – Trent Johnson (Dike-New Hartford) dec. Dylan Schuck (Sibley-Ocheyedan) 6-2

152 – Zachary Axmear (English Valleys) dec. Brennan Swafford (Mediapolis) 7-4

160 – John Henrich (Akron-Westfield) dec. Jakob Krakow (Iowa Valley) 4-3

170 – Taylan Entriken (Hudson) dec. Jarel Arbegast (West Fork) 8-4

182 – Alex McDowell (Maquoketa Valley) dec. Logan Schumacher (Martensdale St. Marys) 6-1

195 – Slade Sifuentes (Lake Mills) tech. fall Hunter Hagen (West Hancock) 16-0

220 – Drake Johnsen (Logan-Magnolia) pinned Chaz Clark (Pleasantville) 2:19

285 – Jared Brinkman (Regina) dec. Kyler Schott (North Linn) 5-2