Black tried to avoid distractions and wrestle

DES MOINES - Ottumwa's Megan Black tried to ignore the frenzy surrounding females making their debut at the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament.Black actually became the first female wrestler to compete in a match at the traditional state meet, losing by fall in 52 seconds to Bettendorf's third-ranked Logan Ryan at 112 pounds of the Class 3A tournament Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. It came after the controversial decision by Linn-Mar's fifth-ranked 112-pounder Joel Northrup to forfeit to Cedar Falls freshman Cassy Herkelman instead of wrestling the first female to qualifying for the traditional state tournament in the 86 years of the event governed by the IHSAA.She took the mat after Northrup defaulted to Herkelman. Black reported to the same table that Herkelman had just written the winner's signature on her bout sheet. Black wasn't focusing on the drama or the impact that Northrup's decision was making on the tournament."Not until after the match. I didn't really pay attention to it," said Black, a sophomore. "I still really don't. That's his choice and I respect it."Black said gender isn't an issue and she will wrestle all comers. She said she prefers to be treated exactly like her male counterparts with wrestling being the common factor. She might respect Northrup's decision, but said she is "somewhat" unsettled by it."Myself, thinking of myself as another wrestler, it kind of bothers me," Black said. "At least he's being strong in his beliefs."Something that wasn't shared by Black's state foes. She lasted only 52 seconds against Bettendorf's Logan Ryan in their 112-pound opening-round match. Sixth-ranked Andres Gonzalez of Mason City then eliminated her from the tournament with a pin in 3:15 in the consolation round."It's a great feeling to feel that they respect me enough to wrestle me," said Black, who finished the season 25-15. "They're great wrestlers. They did a great job."Black admits that she can be a role model for other females, displaying that females can achieve anything a male can. Her journey has been one propelled by a strong work ethic. it was validated by her participation Thursday."There's been a lot of hard work behind the scenes that people don't see," Black said, "that makes me what I am today."Black was more focused on her personal accomplishment of reaching the pinnacle of Iowa high school wrestling. She said it is an overwhelming attitude, which is shared by many competitors, and she thanks God every day after praying for this moment for a long time."It felt so good to finally make it here," Black said. "Now, I plan on coming back, placing and eventually winning it."Herkelman and Black actually join former Urbandale wrestler Heather Morley as state tournament participants. Morley won her only match for the J-Hawks in the 2005 State Duals tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. Morley was the first to compete in an IHSAA state tournament, although it was not the traditional tournament.