A matter of conscience, respect

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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‘Respect.” Hang around wrestlers for a while, and that word comes up a lot. Respect for the sport, long revered in Iowa, that pairs same-size contestants and demands much physically and mentally. Respect for their opponent, earned through vigorous, fair competition.

Respect flowed through Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday - especially after a matchup that ended before it began. Joel Northrup of Linn-Mar defaulted against Cassy Herkelman of Cedar Falls, one of two girls making history be becoming the first of their gender to qualify for the state tournament. The decision cost Northrup a shot at a state title. It seemed to steal from his opponent's experience. His explanation came in a written statement:

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for (Cassy) and (Ottumwa's Megan Black, who also qualified for state) and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith, I do not believe it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa.”

The story drew national media attention. It sparked online chatter, some of it thoughtful, civil; too much of it not.

Many people wanted to take sides - Northrup took a slap at the girls, it's discrimination, he's right to stand up for his beliefs, girls have the right to wrestle, girls should have a separate program, etc.

Our take? Consider how the wrestlers and their fathers handled it.

While there was understandable disappointment, the girls and their fathers voiced respect. Bill Herkelman applauded Northrup and his family for their convictions. Matt Black, father of Megan, said his family supports Northrup and hopes the wrestling community supports him.

Another thing. Northrup and his family didn't ask for special favors. No demands for state athletic officials to change the rules and ban girls from wrestling against boys. No lawsuit threats. Just a decision of conscience, by all accounts, and the willingness to accept the consequences. We can respect that.

We hope others do.

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