Clark avenges his only loss, tops Hathaway 3-0 in quarterfinals

DES MOINES -- One of the most anticipated matches of the entire Iowa High School Athletic Association 2012 State Wrestling tournament occurred in the Class 3A quarterfinals Friday at Wells Fargo Arena.

Southeast Polk's three-time state champion and top-ranked Cory Clark faced Iowa City West's state champion Jack Hathaway with a spot in the 126-pound semifinals at stake. It was the eighth time the NCAA Division I signees – Clark with the University of Iowa and Hathaway with Oregon State – have met, with Hathaway handing Clark his lone prep defeat in January.

Clark posted a 3-0 victory, scoring an escape and takedown in the third period, for his seventh win, including a second in state competition, against Hathaway.

“He wrestled his match. I didn't wrestle mine,” Hathaway said. “That's how it goes. I felt really weak during the match. I couldn't get anything going.”

Hathaway rebounded with a 28-second pin over Nathan Twito of Ames. Hathaway set set aside his disappointment to remain in the tournament.

“It wasn't too tough to do it,” Hathaway said. “It sucks having to do it.”

Hathaway was attempting to become a two-time state champion, but has secured his fourth straight medal. He had to refocus on the four victories he needed to earn his third bronze medal at state to go along with the 125-pound championship last season.

“It might have taken a little longer than I'm used to,” Hathaway said. “It's state (tournament). No finals now. I guess I got it done. Just keep working to third place.”

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