Vaske's summer effort put to the test

A common theme in wrestling is that champions are made in the off-season.

West Delaware senior Nathan Vaske will see how that holds true during the Class 2A state wrestling tournament, starting at 9 a.m. Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Vaske, a three-time placewinner, dedicated himself after he placed fifth as a junior.

"I figured I'd take the next step and put in the extra time to get where I want to be," Vaske said. "With the work we did in the off-season, this is probably the best year I've had."

West Delaware Coach Jeff Voss noticed the extra effort that has put Vaske in position to be a title contender.

"In the last year, he's just done some things to drive him a little more to a state championship," Voss said. "He's put a little more time into getting ready for this season and that makes a difference."

All the extras accompanied the off-season. More freestyle competition, additional summer camps and plenty of weightlifting prepared him for his final prep season. Vaske said he feels better than ever and more comfortable on the mat.

"Not much time in high school, so I've worked extra hard to get what I've been working my whole life for," said Vaske, who's 35-2 and ranked fifth. "Putting the extra time in really pays off."

State meets have resulted in a seventh as a freshman, then consecutive fifth-place medals.

Last year's state meet was particularly harsh for Vaske, who entered top-ranked at 119. He dropped a one-point decision to runner-up Matt Boyington of Humboldt and didn't rebound, suffering two of his three losses that season in the same day at state. The loss that ended his dream to become the Hawks' first two-time state champion is fuel for Vaske's fire.

"It'll motivate me a lot," said Vaske, who moaned at the thought of it. "I know what it feels like and I sure don't want that feeling again."

He'll have a tough task immediately, facing No. 3 Dylan Rusher (26-1) of Roland-Story in his opening match at 130.

"He's wrestled some pretty good kids this year," Voss said. "He'll be ready for it."

The 2A tournament starts a day later than the other two classes this year. Vaske "can't wait for it to get here" and eagerly awaits the start of the event.

"Right now, it's just go out there and wrestle my match and dominate," Vaske said. "Leave nothing behind you now, because every match could be your last one."

Vaske has carried the torch of previous standout Hawk wrestlers Kalen Lenz and Zach McCool. Lenz, Vaske's cousin, was a state finalist in 2005, and McCool, a teammate for two seasons, was the school's first four-time state placewinner and the 140-pound 3A state champion in 2007.

"I think he saw those kids achieving some pretty big things for our program," Voss said about Vaske's desire to match their achievements.

He's third, trailing only Lenz and McCool, on West Delaware's all-time wins list with 142. He joined them as the program's only four-time Wamac conference champions and could be the Hawks' second four-time state medalist.

"They were both great wrestlers," Vaske said. "I think it would be great to be on the list of the greats that came through West Delaware. We've had a bunch.

"If I added a state title, it would make it even better"