Blythe, Fank take top step in 2A state wrestling

DES MOINES - To those who doubted Austin Blythe could again stand atop the medal stand, shame on you.

“If they want to keep talking they can keep talking,” Blythe said. “I put myself in the best shape of my entire life. It just paid off.”

The Williamsburg heavyweight tore through the 285-pound field this week at the state wrestling tournament and last night at

Wells Fargo Arena successfully defended his Class 2A title with a 3-1 victory over top-ranked Adam Praska of Crestwood.

Blythe (51-3) scored his points in the second period and rode Praska the final period. He celebrated wildly afterward to a huge ovation from hometown fans.

Praska (35-0) and Davenport Assumption's Tyler Swope were the only ones to defeat Blythe this season. He avenged both losses. Blythe took out Swope in the quarterfinals and dominated previously unbeaten Bret Johnson of Roland-Story in the semifinals.

“I knew I had to prove something this time,” Blythe said. “I had to come in as an underdog and prove that I could get back to the top once again.”

Ryan Fank knew if he was going to win a state championship he'd really have to earn it.

The Independence senior certainly did. twice in fact, taking the 215-pound title with a 2-1 double overtime victory over Albia's Slater Poe. Fank thought he had the winning takedown as the clock ran down in the first overtime, but officials ruled time had expired.

“I thought I got it but the ref said I didn't. I just had to keep going,” said Fank, who finished fifth a year ago and entered ranked sixth. “I was pretty tired. I thought I had already won it once.”

He escaped Poe's hold in the second overtime and fought off a pair of strong takedown attempts in the final 30 seconds.

“I wanted it. I wanted it more than he did,” Fank said.

“I worked all summer for this.”

Sigourney Keota's Kalen Greiner closed his career with a runner-up finish at 112 pounds, losing 11-5 to Denver-Tripoli's Gunnar Wolfensperger.

“I did the best I could and that wasn't good enough. He did a good job,” Greiner said.

Union freshman Logan Thomsen at 119 again fell victim to Brandon Sorensen, an old nemesis from their days on youth circuit, dropping a 25-12 major decision to the Denver-Tripoli star freshman.

Sorensen (51-0) scored 12 takedowns. Thomsen did get something out of the match.

“I reversed him. I'd never done that before,” he said.

Thomsen (36-7) is planning to move up to 125 next season.