Xavier's Turner has become a quick success

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Xavier wrestling coach Ryan Chambers called looking for a wrestler to add to his roster.He found a big diamond in the rough.Cole Turner answered the phone and the challenge from Chambers. In a little more than one full varsity season, the Saints senior heavyweight has transformed from rookie to ranked seventh in Class 3A. He posted a 5-0 record, helping the Saints to a 3-2 mark Saturday at Xavier's Doug Philipp Duals.Members of last year's team encouraged him to join the team. Turner considered it despite no previous experience in the sport. He estimated Chambers' pitch was short and to the point with the call lasting less than five minutes total."It took him probably a minute to convince me to come out," Turner said. "I fell in love with it and I really enjoy the sport."Chambers was approached by some athletes, suggesting he persuade Turner. Chambers never expected to discover such a gem."I didn't know I was going to get a giant," Chambers said. "He took the initiative to learn on his own."Turner had a steep learning curve, admitting he didn't know any of the terminology or moves when he first started. He said it took the most of last season to catch on, and he has proven to be a bit of a natural, owning a 14-1 record this season including a 3-0 win Saturday over West Liberty's Dylan VanDusen, who is ranked ninth in 2A."We started working everyday, trying to get better," Turner said. "I've improved a lot since then."Turner, a second-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference offensive lineman for Xavier, said his biggest adjustment was the conditioning and the shape he has to be in to compete for an entire match. He has gained an enormous appreciation for the sport."I feel like I could play three football games," Turner said. "Wrestling is so much harder and has more intensity the entire time. There is no stopping."I think it's the hardest sport out there."He has met the demands, dedicating time in the offseason. He attended weekly practices with 220-pound teammate Mike Maher. He also participated in camps with the Saints, compiling a 12-0 record at a dual camp hosted by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Chambers said Turner has emerged as one of the team's leaders"He knows at heavyweight a lot of those matches are going to come down to one point sudden victory overtime and he knows he has to be in shape with great conditioning," Chambers said. "He's really worked hard in the practice room."At 6-foot-4 and about 270 pounds, athleticism and size have been key aspects to his success. He can hold his own with bigger opponents, but has the skills and technique associated with smaller competitors, complementing his increased confidence and mat awareness. He used a takedown, a second-period rideout and an escape in the third to beat Van Dusen. Turner added a fall against Dubuque Hempstead's Tanner Heeren and an 8-1 decision over Dillon Wagner of Mediapolis."He wrestles like a little guy for a big guy," Chambers said. "He's pretty athletic. He's just huge (but) he's not a fat kid."Turner sounds like he has been wrestling since his youth. He said his family was excited by his name appearing in the latest installment of The Predicament's individual rankings, but he is not focused on it. Turner focuses on where he ranks among the state's best in Des Moines two months from now."I want to get on the podium, for sure," Turner said. "I think how hard we work in the next few months will determine how high on the podium we are. You have to earn it. Nobody's going to give it to you."The Saints earned wins over Anamosa (66-18), West Liberty (52-12) and Marion (68-12) before dropping duals with 15th-ranked Hempstead and Mediapolis, which is ranked second in 2A. Jeff Vipond (106) matched Turner's record, winning all five bouts Saturday. Clint Lembeck gave the Saints a third unbeaten wrestler, going 5-0 at 126 and 132. He is ranked fourth at 132.Chambers said the Saints are developing and starting to recognize their potential."It's all about confidence," Chambers said. "The good guys aren't going to fall over for you. Once they believe, we have some guys who are going to be wrestling on the weekend (in Des Moines)."Marion was 1-4, capping the day with a 43-18 win over Anamosa. West Liberty finished 2-3.Mediapolis went 5-0 and finished first, handing runner-up Dubuque Hempstead its only loss Saturday, 49-15.