Andrew Holladay has gotten a little bigger, a little stronger and a little better ever since he joined the Linn-Mar wrestling program as a freshman in 2010.

Now a senior, he's ranked No.3 in Class 3A at 195 pounds with a sparkling 17-0 record after winning all five of his matches Saturday at the Linn-Mar Duals.

Holladay defeated a pair of ranked wrestlers from Ankeny Centennial and Clinton and finished his day with back-to-back pins. It was an impressive performance, but Holladay sounded a little underwhelmed by his achievement.

"It wasn't too bad," he said modestly. "It could have been a little better, though."

Holladay was one of the bright spots for the wounded Lions as they placed third out of 10 teams at the their own tournament. Linn-Mar wrestled without three of its mainstays - Ross Lembeck, Matt Wempen and Toby Northrup - due to injuries.

"Hopefully we'll those guys back soon," said Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher.

The Lions compiled a 4-1 record in the tournament and topped Clinton, 40-34, in the match for third place after losing to Western Dubuque, 43-30.

Mediapolis, the top-ranked club in Class 2A, whipped Western Dubuque for the title, 40-28.

Holladay trimmed sixth-ranked John Ware of Ankeny Centennial, 8-6, and pinned 10th-ranked Justin Guilliams of Clinton. He also won his matches against Keokuk, Marion (by technical fall) and Western Dubuque (by pin).

"He had an awesome day," said Streicher. "He wrestled good competition and he wrestled great. He's really looking good."

Holladay placed fifth at the Class 3A state tournament at 182 pounds last year. He jumped to the 195-pound class this season and has not lost a match.

He appears to have raised his performances to another level this season. "I feel like it, with the offseason work and going to Greco and freestyle tournaments," he remarked.

His strength, technique and conditioning all have improved. "A little bit of everything," he said.

Holladay pounced on his opportunities against Western Dubuque and Clinton with quick bursts that resulted in pins.

"He's more mature," said Streicher. "He's done a lot of stuff throughout the spring and summer. That pays off, if you accumulate it year after year. He's reaping the rewards for all the hard work he's put in up to this point."

Streicher thinks Holladay has a chance to do well at the state tournament. "Everyone has a chance," the coach said. "He's in the discussion."

Linn-Mar senior Alijah Jeffery went 5-0 at 120 pounds Saturday to continue his strong campaign.

The Xavier Saints compiled a 1-4 record and finished in eighth place. The Marion Indians also finished 1-4 and placed ninth.

FINAL ROUND
1st - Mediapolis 40, Western Dubuque 28
3rd - Linn-Mar 40, Clinton 34
5th - Mount Vernon 51, Keokuk 23
7th - Ankeny Centennial 42, Xavier 37
9th - Marion 45, Mount Pleasant 22

ROUND 1
Linn-Mar 60, Keokuk 24
Clinton 44, Mount Vernon 27
Centennial 50, Marion 25
Mediapolis 72, Mount Pleasant 12

ROUND 2
Linn-Mar 68, Marion 9
Western Dubuque 48, Keokuk 20
Mount Vernon 71, Mount Pleasant 6
Clinton 47, Xavier 26

ROUND 3
Linn-Mar 52, Centennial 19
Xavier 47, Mount Pleasant 24
Mediapolis 44, Mount Vernon 28
Western Dubuque 78, Marion 2

ROUND 4
Western Dubuque 51, Centennial 18
Mediapolis 48, Xavier 27
Clinton 78, Mount Pleasant 3
Keokuk 60, Marion 21

ROUND 5
Western Dubuque 43, Linn-Mar 30
Mediapolis 38, Clinton 30
Keokuk 52, Centennial 24
Mount Vernon 59, Xavier 13