A couple tough cookies

I have seen a number of tough kids take the mat, but two of the top things to impress me most the last four years have been done by Waverly-Shell Rock wrestlers.About 2-3 years ago, Khyle Cox wrestled Cedar Rapids Prairie's Phil Sexton in a dual at Prairie's Holiday Classic. I'm a little foggy on the details, but I believe Cox got out to an early lead. Then he caught an elbow to the chops and cracked a tooth. I remember the continuous flow of blood and a number of blood timeouts (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong). Cox persevered the remainder of the match to get the win over the ranked Sexton, who eventually went on to become a state champion.It's not surprising another example of toughness also dons the black and gold of the Go-Hawks. On Dec. 22, Anthony Campbell was impressive, going 2-1. He's not the best wrestler and his performances weren't pretty, but he showed guts, grit and the heart the size of the state.He trailed Indee's Mike Kramer, ranked third in 2A, the entire match only to get a takedown with time running out for the win.During his following match, against former state placewinner Justian Dixon of Iowa City High, Campbell again battled back from a deficit to grab a couple late takedowns, this time forcing overtime. He won with a takedown in OT.In the championship dual against Don Bosco, Campbell found himself trailing again. Cody Delagardelle, who suffered what appeared to be a back injury, held on for a win, but not without a fight from Campbell, who used a late takedown to pull within a point, despite receiving a gash on his forehead area that spewed blood after the move. He couldn't get that final takedown and lost to the fourth-ranked wrestler in 1A.For Campbell's future opponents, you better be ready to wrestle a full seven minutes even if you're only slated for six.There must be something in the water in Waverly...