Blythe, Halblom focused on finals finale

Different weights, different classes but the same goals.The wrestling careers of Alburnett's Christopher Halblom and Williamsburg's Austin Blythe have run parallel, but both are hoping they intersect. If that happens, they will join a select group of Iowa high school wrestlers.Halblom and Blythe will attempt to become the state's 42nd and 43rd four-time state finalists and 68th and 69th three-time champions with one final run as the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament begins Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The first round for Class 1A is at 1 p.m. with Class 2A starting at 6:30 p.m. Class 3A competition opens Thursday.Top-ranked Halblom (41-0) faces Pekin's Austyn Vogel in the opening round at 125 pounds. He will look to add to the titles he won at 112 and 119 the last two seasons for Alburnett after reaching the 103-pound finals in 2A as a freshman for Center Point-Urbana. Halblom admits the titles come with a huge target on his back, but he is feeling better than ever as state nears."I haven't felt this good all year," Halblom said. "I feel like I'm going to go out there and do what I can. Take everything to the other kid."This time of year seems to bring out the best in both wrestlers. Halblom might be receiving a jolt from the challenge at hand, according to Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson."I think he thrives on the fact that he's chasing something pretty special," Thompson said. "He looked ready to go (in practice). He looked like he wanted compete right now."Blythe has compiled quite the career in a rare fashion. He has wrestled heavyweight since he started for the Raiders. Although it hasn't been confirmed, he is believed to be the first freshman state finalist at heavyweight. He  owns the Williamsburg record for wins with 181 before Wednesday, breaking older brother Holden's mark of 164. he also has 141 career falls according to Williamsburg coach Grant Eckenrod, which puts him atop Iowa's all-time pins list."He's so talented," Eckenrod said. "He's got so much God-given ability it's scary to be that big and be able to move like that and wrestle like he does."Top-ranked Blythe, 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, who has signed to play football at the University of Iowa, opens with Perry's Tyler White (20-9). He has excelled at Wells Fargo Arena. The level of competition has forced him to peak at state. Now, he has the added incentive of this being his final appearance. If those elements weren't enough, Blythe gets a boost from the adrenaline rush of being on the big stage."Being in Wells Fargo Arena is mesmerizing enough," said Blythe, who is 45-1 this season. "If that doesn't get your heart racing I don't know what would."The road to titles haven't been easy for either. As a sophomore, Halblom faced the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the finals of sectional, district and state for his first crown. It could be repeated if he faces Lisbon's Kolbi Kohl in the championship, because Halblom topped Kohl the last two weekends to reach state. Last year, Halblom edged Don Bosco's Ben McMahon in overtime for the second title.He wants to put his mark on this bracket."He's never really completely dominated a state tournament from start to finish," Thompson said. "That's one of his big goals this year. he wants to show he's a dominant wrestler and score a lot."Blythe earned his titles by avenging losses along the way. Last year, he avenged a loss to Davenport Assumption's Tyler Swope in the quarterfinals and then did the same against Adam Praska of Crestwood in the finals."He seems to get up for the state tournament," said Eckenrod, noting that Blythe is as focused as ever. "he gets himself so mentally ready to go and so locked in at the state tournament, which a lot of kids can't do."Blythe has done it from the start, even if he felt lucky to qualify as a freshman. He surprised himself by what he was able to accomplish in that first state appearance."I didn't think I was anywhere near the top of the podium in terms of talent and experience," Blythe said. "I was really happy to be there."Blythe recorded two gutsy overtime wins that year to reach the finals. The most impressive was the 3-1 victory over a third-ranked senior from New Hampton. He scored a takedown in the sudden death, showing explosiveness and agility to stay in bounds for the decisive score."When he won that match I though this kid is going to be something special," Eckenrod said. "He's really good."There was more than that key win that enhanced his freshman tournament. Older brother, Holden, actually won the 215-pound title that year, giving Williamsburg a 1-2 punch in the final championship bouts."Having that moment was pretty special," Blythe said. "We knew we only had one match to go. That was the most special moment of the three."Blythe was determined to remound from the defeat to Chariton's Avery Fuhs. Reaching the finals sparked Blythe to dedicate more time to returning and claiming a title. He increased his summer wrestling, earning All-American honors in freestyle and Greco-Roman."After losing that match I said to myself I was going to work hard and wrestle in the summer," Blythe said. "It's all coming to a point here in this last visit, working for that third title."One of Halblom's highlights came early his sophomore tournament when he trailed Clarinda Academy's Ivan Rodriguez by a point with 10 seconds remaining. Hit a lateral drop in the final moments for a five-point move, which allowed him to advance to the finals. Without that win, this feat wouldn't be possible."It's just his will to win," Thompson said.Halblom has won plenty, entering the tournament with 160 career wins. The last loss was to Charles City's Tanner Schmidt in the 2A finals as a freshman. The setback powered Halblom to his championship performances."That motivated me a lot," Halblom said. "Knowing that I was a six-minute match away from possibly being a four-time state champion."The runner-up finish was also the last match one of his closest fans ever had the chance to watch. Halblom's grandfather, Ken Marsh, died the following July. He attended as many competitions as he could and when he couldn't he was a phone call away."He never got to watch my sophomore or junior year," said Halblom. "Before every match I go out there and think of him."He had an emotional reminder before he took the mat for the state finals his sophomore year. Halblom's dad, Matt, an Alburnett assistant coach who has been in his corner for both state titles, reached in his suit coat and revealed an item from his stepdad's memorial service. The discovery was inspirational."It was weird, because my dad reached into his jacket pocket and he had the card from my grandpa's funeral. he hadn't worn the suit since then," Halblom said. "It was like another reminder. It makes me think he's always there watching me."So is his dad. Halblom praised his father for effort he has made to support his career. Having him there each step of the way makes it more special."He's been there with me through everything," Halblom said. "The good times. The bad times. Ever since I was in Kindergarten, he's been there for me, taking me to wrestling practice and spending all his time and money."They are on the verge of their last run. Four matches remain if they are to achieve their biggest goal. They may imagine what it will be like but neither are taking any wins for granted."It sounds pretty cool to say I was a four-time state finalist," Halblom said. "I can't look ahead yet. I have four matches. Anything can happen."Blythe is on the same page."Right now, I'm thinking about one at a time, but if it does happen I think it's going to be the biggest sense of relief and accomplishment I've ever felt," Blythe said. "We'll see what happens. I have to be prepared and wrestle my best against each and every opponent."