The Iowa Lakes wrestling team capped off a hard-fought weekend at the National Duals Invitational with a 9th-place finish against a deep and competitive national field. The event featured elite junior college programs from across the country and tested teams through a demanding dual-meet format. Iowa Lakes opened competition in Pool Play, facing nationally respected programs throughout the round-robin format. The Lakers battled through early adversity, earning key individual performances while competing against Carl Albert State, Colorado Northwestern, Cowley College, and Western Wyoming.

The highlight of pool play came in a dominant 44–12 victory over Colorado Northwestern, where Iowa Lakes recorded multiple bonus-point wins and demonstrated the offensive depth of the lineup. Despite setbacks against top-tier opponents, the team remained composed and continued to compete with intensity in every dual. "We didn't start the tournament the way we wanted," head coach Corey Meyer said. "But I was proud of how the guys kept showing up for each other. At events like this, it's about weathering the storm and staying connected as a team."

Consolation Bracket Run

Entering the consolation bracket, Iowa Lakes responded with urgency and confidence. The team went on an impressive run, securing wins over #17 Fort Hays Tech Northwest (48–12), Labette Community College (41–12),#20  Carl Albert State, and Cloud County Community College (39–15) to claim first place in the 9th-place bracket.

According to Meyer, the shift was as much mental as it was physical. "We talked about finding our spark again," Meyer said. "Once the guys relaxed, trusted the work they've put in, and started wrestling for each other, you could feel the momentum change. That's when this group is at its best." The consolation run showcased the team's resilience, competitive maturity, and ability to respond when challenged. "This was a total team rally," Meyer added. "Every weight mattered, every point mattered. The energy on the bench was different, and the guys fed off that."

Standout Performers

Several Iowa Lakes wrestlers delivered impactful performances throughout the tournament, providing momentum and leadership that contributed to the team's 9th-place finish.

Logan McDonald (141 lbs) was one of the most consistent competitors for Iowa Lakes. McDonald earned multiple wins across both pool and consolation rounds, including a major decision over Carl Albert State and several bonus-point victories that helped swing team scores in Iowa Lakes' favor.

William Penn (149 lbs) made a major impact with his aggressive offensive style. Penn recorded multiple falls, including key pins against Cowley College and Cloud County Community College, along with technical fall victories over Colorado Northwestern and Labette. His ability to score quickly provided valuable separation in several duals.

At 165 lbs, Jaijuan Deyampert delivered clutch performances throughout the weekend, highlighted by first-period falls against Cowley College and Labette Community College, providing momentum in critical duals.

Lincoln McCarty (197 lbs) was a steady force in the upper weights, earning multiple falls during pool competition, including victories over Carl Albert State, Colorado Northwestern, and Cowley College.

Phillip Malone (285 lbs) anchored the lineup at heavyweight, recording several wins by fall and decision while battling through high-level competition throughout the tournament.