Herman drops to gain

CEDAR RAPIDS - Conner Herman lost pounds in hopes of gaining wins.

The Cedar Rapids Jefferson senior placed sixth at the state meet last year wrestling heavyweight and dropped about 40 pounds to wrestle his final varsity season at 215, trying to increase his chances for a state title.

Herman has started strong, posting an 14-1 record for the J-Hawks as teams approached the holiday break.

Herman hopes the drop leads to a rise in Des Moines.

“This gives me the best chance,” Herman said of a state title. “It's not that I was trying to avoid anybody. It just makes sense and there is still a lot of competition (at 215).”

Herman wrestled heavyweight his first three years, weighing 215 as a freshman and 230 as a sophomore, but wrestled the 285 division to strengthen the lineup. He altered his diet, limiting his meals and working out daily. The change was difficult at first but he feels stronger and healthier than ever.

“I cut out all fast food and pop. That's not good for you,” said Herman, whose only loss was a one-point double-overtime loss to Cedar Rapids Washington heavyweight Tyler Burrell. “I ate a lot of fruits and vegetables. I learned that I liked them a lot.”

Jefferson Coach Dick Briggs said there was no discussion about the move. Herman arrived for preseason body composition testing at 224 pounds, and Briggs was all for it.

“He's looking to be a champion,” Briggs said. “The potential to do that at 215 is probably greater than at 285.”

The lower weight class presents a challenge, because competitors are normally a little more agile, quicker and have an overall more athletic style. Herman said he's developing offense from his feet, which he didn't have at heavyweight. He has been successful thus far. capturing the title at Cedar Falls' Keith Young Invitational on Dec. 4, beating Don Bosco's seventh-ranked Tony Becker in the finals. He went 5-0 at the Southeast Polk tournament last weekend, pinning fourth-ranked Bryan Varisco of SE Polk.

“He spent the year, in my opinion, becoming a better wrestler. It's pretty fun to watch him,” Briggs said. “He's been wrestling that 285 pace and now he's got to go to that 215-pound pace.”