Video: Coe's Gotto earns runner-up finish

CEDAR RAPIDS - Coe's Jimmy Gotto continued a streak for the Kohawks.

He became the seventh straight 125-pound All-American for the program with his runner-up finish in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Saturday night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. He improved his sixth-place finish last year.

Gotto faced Ithaca's top-seeded Ricardo Gomez in the finals. It was the most important match of his wrestling career.

“That was a big opportunity for me,” Gotto said. “It was my first time wrestling on that level, that stage, in a big tournament. There was a lot of excitement and a good atmosphere here. I was feeding off the crowd.”

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome Gomez, who scored a takedown in the first adding an escape in the second and riding time point for a 4-2 victory in the finals.

Gotto (21-11) closed the gap, losing to Gomez by seven in January. Gomez (29-2) executed his offense better.

“He went out there and got the takedown,” Gotto said. “I got to get my shots off. I can't score if I can't get to the legs.”

Gotto praised assistant coaches Eric Casey and Clayton Rush, who sat in his corner instead of head coach John Oostendorp. They have propelled him to this level.

“It's not just a coach and wrestler relationship,” Gotto said. “I feel like they're my brothers and family.”

He was the fifth national finalist in the last six years for Coe in the lowest two weights, joining three-time finalist and two-time 125-pound champion Clayton Rush and 2012 133-pound runner-up Jordan Westfall.

Gotto didn't take solace in just reaching the finals. He considered it a positive and a steppingstone for his senior season, training hard in the weight room and practice room.

“There is always something to build on,” said Gotto, who beat Ursinus' Chris Donaldson, 6-2, in the semifinals. ”If anything I'm going to take this as a huge motivator for next year. My goal hasn't been reached yet.”