Competitors battle dreaded consolation round

DES MOINES - It might be the toughest round of the state tournament.It isn't the finals with television cameras and the eyes of thousands of people fixed on each move. It isn't the opening round when butterflies flutter in competitors stomachs.The round lies somewhere between crushed dreams and a fight for survival.The second round of consolation pits a quartefinal opponent recently removed from a loss with a rested wrestler with a wrestleback win. Wrestlers battled through the round Friday during the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena."It's definitely tough," said Cedar Rapids Prairie coach Blake Williams, whose 126-pounder Josh Wenger lost 8-1 to former Hawks teammate Chris Walters in the quarterfinals before coming back with a win and a second straight state medal. "There's no time to feel sorry for yourself."The stakes are high. Winners of a second-round consolation earns a top-eight finish and secures a medal and spot in the coveted Grand March on Saturday night before taking a step on the awards stand. In a short turnaround, a wrestler goes from state title hopes to a contest just to make the annual record book.Linn-Mar's top-ranked Joel Northrup was undefeated, heading into the Class 3A quarterfinals, but lost 2-1 in an ultimate tiebreaker to Indianola's Matt Victor at 145. He recorded a decision in his next match, overcoming the disappointment of the setback.Northrup was still visibly upset about the loss, despite winning the following bout. He had to handle the emotions during competition."It was hard," said Northrup, who placed third as a freshman and junior. "I worked my whole life to win gold. This time I didn't step up to the challenge. in the quarters."Wenger, a sophomore, said you have to refocus and keep the same routine. It helps to have a short memory."A lot of it is just mental," Wenger said. "You have to be strong when you come back. It's all about me getting on my offense and get what I want going and whatever is going to happen will happen."Williams said some of the responsibility falls on the coaches. As a competitor at Decorah, one year he lost his first match and was one of the determined wrestlers who knocked off a quarterfinal loser en route to five straight victories and a third-place finish. He knows how tough the situation is for the participants."It's based on the individual," Williams said. "It affects some kids greatly, and some others it's no big deal."The Lions ran into the situation multiple times Friday, and won most."There were four guys who lost that round," Linn-Mar coach Doug Streicher said. "You have to have to man up, take pride in your training and get after it."The team aspect could add perspective and motivation. Northrup shared his approach."Just a lot of praying and focusing on as many points as you can," Northrup said. "I can't get it as an individual, but the team still can. I have to press on to get third."