Herman brings Jefferson back some gold

DES MOINES - Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Conner Herman aspired to be a state champion as a youth, which is the same time J-Hawks Dick Briggs recognized he had the talent to achieve it.

Saturday night it became a reality.

Herman scored a takedown with 14 seconds remaining in the sudden victory overtime period for a 5-3 win over North Scott's Ben Nagle, capturing the 215-pound state title at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A satte wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

"I finally did it," Herman said. "It's where I've wanted to be since growing up. Only a few kids get to experience it in a lifetime. It's a great feeling."

The championship ended a 13-year drought of individual titles at Jefferson. The J-Hawks hadn't won an individual title since Tim Ironside claimed the 130-pound title in 1998. Too much time had past between gold medals for a program that had produced 29 state titlists before Herman's victory.

"That, if not the first thing, was one of the first things that came out of the coaches' mouths this year," Herman said. "It's been way too long since we've had a state champion."

Briggs knew Herman (38-2) had the skills to reach the top step of the podium in Des Moines. It was apparent dating back to when Herman was a member of the Bad Boys kids club.

"He was a talented wrestler," said Briggs, who has now coached 11 state champions. "I recognized the potential that he was a pretty special kid."

Herman competed in the heavyweight division his first three years, placing sixth at last year's state meet. Devoted to win a title, Herman traded fast food for healthier alternatives, losing about 40 pounds to wrestle 215. He was happy with the move.

"It paid off. Everything paid off," said Herman, who hugged his dad, Bob, a former Jefferson standout in football and wrestling in the late 1960's. "Tnis is right where Coach Briggs told me I was going to be."

Neither Herman nor Coach Briggs anticipated what occurred after the match. Herman took the celebratory leap into a coach's arms and was caught in a ceremonious hug by assistant coach Matt Orton, a former J-Hawk state champ. Then, Briggs, much older and smaller than Herman, stepped back, took a couple steps and jumped into Herman's arms.

"That was spur of the moment," Briggs said. "he already jumped on Orton. I thought well he's big enough to hold me."

It looked as if Nagle would be the one celebrating. He led 2-0 until about a minute left. Herman then drew inspiration from the J-Hawk fans in the stands near the mat. One prevailing thought entered his mind.

"Don't give up," Herman said. "I looked over to my fans and they weren't giving up for sure. I saw them standing up, telling me to come on. I put it back in my head that I could do it."

How he did it may have been a bit surprising. After an escape, Herman, who isn't necessarily known for initiating leg attacks, dropped in on a low-single and scored the go-ahead takedown.

"You have to do it when you need it," Herman said. "I should have been working on more takedowns, but it happened when it needed to happen."

Herman almost cost himself before the end of regulation, being called for an illegal hold by locking his hands while in the top position. It allowed  Nagle to tie it, 3-3, and force overtime. Similar to when he got his first takedown, listening to Briggs when he pounded his breast and told Herman to show his heart, Herman followed Briggs advice to score the winning move, countering Nagle for a takedown and the win.

"It was awesome," Briggs said. "Once he started to get going ... he gave me a few more gray hairs."

The night had a little more special meaning for the J-Hawks. Briggs' first J-Hawk state champion Marc Chase attended the finals, joining them at the hotel and riding to the arena together. Chase won the 119-pound title in 1989, three matches ahead of Orton who was the 135-pound champion.

"That's pretty cool," said Briggs. "To have bookends with Marc there and of course, Matt Orton and then Conner. it was kind of neat."