Blythe takes on the field in 2A

DES MOINES - The Predicament considers Williamsburg sophomore Austin Blythe the cream of the Class 2A field at 285 pounds. Blythe begs to differ.

"I'm not ranked No. 1 anymore. Everyone else is," Blythe said.

That's a look inside Blythe's psyche as he attempts to return to the finals at the state wrestling tournament.

Blythe (43-1) made quick work of his first-round opponent Thursday morning, pinning Nick Trenkamp of West Delaware in 49 seconds. Next up is third-ranked and undefeated Adam Praska (31-0) of Cresco Crestwood in the quarterfinals today.

"I'm ready to go. I want to get it done. I came here to get it done," Blythe said.

As a freshman, Blythe was one match short of accomplishing his ultimate job, losing 5-1 to Chariton's Avery Fuhs in the state final.

Blythe's motivation to reach the top step of the awards stand is shared by West Liberty senior 189-pounder Tomas Lira.

Lira made an unexpected run to championship night last year. His title quest was ended by Sheldon's Josh Ihnen in a technical fall.

"I thought I had a legitimate shot to make the finals. I was happy I made the finals," Lira said. "I made it farther than I or anyone thought."

This year, he won't be flying under the radar.

Lira took the first step on his road to a state title by pinning ninth-ranked Jordan Kaiser of Benton Community in 3:46. He next will challenge top-ranked Trevor Voelker of Dallas Center-Grimes in the quarterfinals.

"On this side of the bracket, three guys can be the state champion," Lira said. "I will work my tail off and go home a winner in my mind."

In a battle of ranked wrestlers at 145, No. 10 Brice Brecht of Iowa Valley/HLV dominated the third period in a 10-5 victory over No. 8 Steve Scarrow of Clear Lake.

Brecht, a senior, trailed 5-4 after the second period, but quickly tied the match with an escape. He then executed a five-point move with 1:20 remaining.

"I knew my advantage would be my conditioning," Brecht said. "I had to wait for my opportunity."

At 130, two area wrestlers won first-round matches pitting ranked competitors.

West Delaware's Nathan Vaske, ranked fifth, pinned No. 3 Dylan Rusher of Roland-Story in 4:23. South Tama's seventh-ranked Logan Mathes edged No. 8 Kyle Paulsen of Wilton, 4-3.

Vaske's teammate, second-ranked Carl Broghammer, dominated his ranked opponent at 189, scoring a 13-0 major decision over No. 8 Jacob Morris of Emmetsburg/Armstrong-Ringsted.

At 215, Solon's third-ranked James Morris, an Iowa football recruit, posted an 8-5 win over No. 10 Jay Kruger of Sibley-Ocheyedan. At 285, West Liberty's fifth-ranked Javier Rendon advanced with a 4-2 win over No. 8 Cody Dierks of Gilbert.

In the team race, West Delaware stands in fifth place with 13 points. Independence is tied for sixth at 12.