2A Iowa State Wrestling Tournament: CPU's Rathbun earns third-straight title berth after a nail-biter

DES MOINES — Shades of the state finals two years ago crept in Brock Rathbun's head as he was taken down to the mat.

The 120-pound junior from Center Point-Urbana was on the receiving end of a headlock from Mediapolis freshman Brennan Swafford. The same feeling he had when it lost in the state finals as a freshman crept into his head.

'The feeling after that match, you don't ever want to feel that again,' Rathbun said. 'I just had to get out.'

Not only did Rathbun scramble out of that headlock and nearfall, he notched a pin of his own in 5:52 to advance to the state finals for the third-straight year. Rathbun (52-0) got a couple shots early, but Swafford stifled the offense in the second period and had Rathbun nearly compromised.

'(Swafford) knew exactly to take away his offense and stay solid and firm and don't let Brock lock up anything,' said Center Point-Urbana coach Scott Slifka. 'Just play the edge of the mat and wait for a mistake.'

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Once Rathbun fought his way out of the headlock, his offense started to come easier in the third period, leading to his first pin of this year's tournament. Rathbun's offensive philosophy is to work for a pin combination with each quick attack.

'That's where he's so dynamite,' Slifka said. 'He always goes for more than a two-point takedown, he goes for a four or five point takedown.'

Rathbun will face Sergeant Bluff-Luton sophomore Brayden Curry in the finals. He said after getting two wins by technical falls to start the tournament, he can learn a lot from a close match.

'It definitely tells me I'm not invincible and that anybody can be beaten at any time,' Rathbun said.

Union senior Max Thomsen earned a place in the 145-pound finals after recording a fall in 3:00. Thomsen will chase history as he hopes to become the first four-time champion since 2013, and won't try to have his mind on the moment too much beforehand.

'I'm just so blessed,' Thomsen said. 'I've got to that my parents, my coaches, all my teammates, all my friends and everybody who's pushed me and shaped me along the way.'

Union 113-pounder Derek Holschlag and 170-pounder Jacob Holschlag also advanced to the Class 2A finals. Jacob Holschlag, going for his second-straight state title, will face Nick Baumler of North Fayette Valley.

The Knights also lead the 2A team championship race with 76 points. Creston-OM enters the finals with 71 and Mediapolis is in third with 65.

West Delaware 182-pounder Brent Lammers earned a spot in the championship as the No. 1 seed after a 3-2 decision. Washington's 195-pound senior Brad Skubal also advanced after holding on for a 4-3 decision.

Independence's 152-pound senior Chase Straw is the lone wrestler in the finals for the Mustangs. Straw, who is top-ranked in 2A, earned bonus points in every match of the tournament on his way to the championship and scored a fall in 4:36 in the semifinal match.

'I've still got one more, but a weight is lifted off your shoulders,' Straw said. 'I've just got to get ready for tomorrow night.'

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