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By Julie Woods, Xavier sophomore

CEDAR RAPIDS – Making it to the varsity level in any sport is an unimaginable dream for most freshmen at Xavier High School. But two freshmen – Jeff Vipond and Clint Lembeck – are living that dream by being on the varsity wrestling team this season.

At the Independance meet on Dec. 1, Lembeck was the top wrestler for Xavier, placing second  in the 126-pound category. Vipond wrestled at 106.

Since the two are only freshmen, they still have three more years of wrestling ahead of them and  four chances to make it to the state tournament.

“That would be really awesome for any of us to make it to state this year,” sophmore varsity wrestler Logan Brown said.

Xavier finished sixth in the 10-team Independence tournament, a finish that seemed to please the team.

“It’s been a pretty good day for our first tournament,” Coach Ryan Chambers said, “There’s not much more we could ask for.”

The Saints’ coaching staff is hopeful the two freshmen will lead the team to state in the future. But to first get there, they must make it past sectionals, regional duals and districts.

“Jeff and Clint both have the opportunity to make it to state this year if they just fight hard enough for it,” Chambers said.

Chambers and his staff have high hopes for the entire freshmen class.