Vercande powers his way to the top

DES MOINES - J.C. Vercande carefully transferred the word with two permanent markers - one red, one black - onto white cloth folded into a headband.

It read, in Japanese characters, “Power.”

And the Williamsburg 145-pounder exuded that quality on the mat in Saturday's Class 2A state wrestling tournament finals at Wells Fargo Arena.

Vercande, ranked third by The Predicament, attacked his way to the top of the medal stand, scoring a 19-4 win by technical fall over No. 2 Cory Chapin of Denver-Tripoli.

“I really didn't have anything to lose out there,” said Vercande, who previously placed fourth once and sixth twice at state. “I didn't really get nervous the whole tournament. Just always laid back and always on the offense, I guess.”

Vercande was among five Gazette-area grapplers to attain 2A titles.

Union Community's Max Thomsen claimed gold at 113; Erik Lux of South Tama won the 160-pound crown by fall; Independence's Nick Fuller beat Solon's J.J. Hanus for the title at 170; and Adam Reth of West Delaware triumphed at 195.

Denver-Tripoli won the team championship with 126 points. West Delaware took third with 119.

“I'm in the room every day,” said No. 1-ranked Reth, who polished off a 44-0 season by posing for a photo with the Hawks' cheerleaders. “It's great to have it pay off.”

Williamsburg's Vercande shot early and often, bolting to a 7-2 lead midway through the first period.

Nine points later, he leaped into Raiders coach Grant Eckenrod's arms, then joined his mom for a lengthy embrace.

“I've got three other medals, nowhere near the top,” Vercande (53-1) said. “It felt good to finally hug her for that one.”

Vercande earned Williamsburg's fifth gold medal.

Austin Blythe won three and Holden Blythe claimed one.

He'll keep the powerful headband with his gleaming hardware- and clear some vertical space at home currently held by step-brother and two-time state champ Derek St. John.

“I'll probably take one of his brackets off the wall,” Vercande said, smiling. “Hang mine up.”

Thomsen, ranked No. 1 at 113, shut out No. 3 Shadow Leshen of Albia, 6-0.

The freshman scored a five-point takedown with 40 seconds left in the second period, turning Leshen and nearly pinning him.

“I knew I had him,” said Thomsen, who finished 47-1. “He was broke. I just tried to keep on him and keep going, not make a mistake.”

Thomsen's brother, Logan, fell one win short of a championship.

Jake Marlin of Creston/Orient-Macksburg beat him by major decision to win his third state title.

One pair of Gazette area brothers earned titles - albeit a year apart.

Lux (45-3) pinned his way to gold at 160.

His brother, Kyle, won the 160-pound title last year.

“I knew I'd be able to dominate if I wrestled my match,” Lux said.

Fuller (49-1) fell short against the elder Lux in that championship match, but basked in state tournament glory Saturday.

He didn't surrender a point all week.

“It's sunk in a little bit,” Fuller said. “When I got up there (on the podium) I tried to hold in my emotions. It's hit me a little bit, but not all the way.”