Union wrestler Coy Mehlert following his dad’s footsteps

DES MOINES — Twenty-five years ago, Union Community head coach Bart Mehlert stood triumphantly atop of the podium — his hand raised as a 140-pound champion at the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament.

Now his sophomore son, Coy, aims to follow in his gold-framed footsteps.

Coy Mehlert entered Thursday’s late Class 2A quarterfinals as the top-seed at 106 pounds — and thriving under his dad’s watchful eye.

“It’s been nice,” Coy said. “I’ve had him in my corner my whole life, obviously. He’s someone I look up to — and he likes winning and doesn’t like losing. Yeah, I’m that way, too.”

When Coy first started wrestling, his dad couldn’t attend many of his meets because of his high school coaching duties. But when Coy won his first AAU state title at Wells Fargo Arena as a sixth-grader, Bart was there to celebrate with him.

“That was pretty nice with him,” said Coy, who swept the USA Wrestling Iowa state under-16 100-pound titles last May in Greco and freestyle. “He was in my corner the whole time.”

Now, that’s the case for every match.

Coy ascended the podium for a fifth-place finish at state at 106 last year as a freshman — and he fully planned to keep climbing in this second trip to the tournament. And it’s not just that dad’s firmly planted in his corner. His older brother, Lincoln, has inspired him and helped him perfect his craft, as well.

Lincoln Mehlert earned a state tournament medal for an eighth-place finish as a sophomore, didn’t qualify the next season, and made it back to state as a senior but didn’t place.

And how did his perseverance impact Coy’s development?

“HIs junior year, he beat the No. 2-ranked kid during the season, but he was cutting a lot of weight,” Coy said. “He just motivates me every day. He’s the best big brother I could ask for.”

Coy’s also leaned on honorary big brothers Brayden Bohnsack and Jace Hedeman. Bohnsack (120) and Hedeman (32) seek their third state titles this week.

“It’s nice having all these leaders,” said Coy, who entered Thursday with a 48-2 mark this season. “We’ve had Brayden, Jace — and last year, (150-pound champion) Caleb Olson.”

Add in dad and his brother, and Coy’s support base is as strong as anyone’s. Maybe even stronger.

So as devotees of the sport celebrate 100 years of this prestigious and history-draped state meet, family trees merge with gold-based dreams.

That’s true for the Mehlerts — as well as countless other families spanning several generations who’ve helped make this state tournament one of the most hallowed high school events in the country.

“It’s been a family affair,” said Bart Mehlert, who went on to become a two-time Division III All-American for Wartburg. “Time doesn’t stand still … It’s been a good ride and we’re gonna keep it going.”

DOYLE, MCDONOUGH ENTER THE HALL OF FAME

Two highly-decorated Gazette-area wrestler are entering the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Wrestling Hall of Fame: Michael Doyle of Independence and Matt McDonough of Linn-Mar.

Doyle placed at state as a Mustang, but never won an individual title. He helped Independence claim team gold in 1991 — then developed into a three-time All-American at Wartburg. He later coached the Mustangs to more than 500 dual-meet wins, eighth traditional state tournament trophies and 13 State Duals appearances.

McDonough won three straight championships at 112, 119 and 130 from 2006-08 before joining Iowa’s program. He started all four seasons for Tom Brands’ Hawkeyes, winning two national titles and reaching the NCAA finals three times. McDonough compiled a 151-15 record as a prep and a 122-9 mark with Iowa. He won 40 of those 122 matches by fall.

BIG NAMES TO LEAD GRAND MARCH

The IHSAA brought in some heavy hitters to lead Saturday’s Grand March.

All of Iowa’s Division-I wrestling coaches — Tom Brands of Iowa, Kevin Dresser of Iowa State and Doug Schwab of Northern Iowa — will headline the traditional procession of state medalists.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com