Rush at the top of his class

CEDAR RAPIDS - For the last two seasons, Clayton Rush has been on a higher level than anyone at his level. The Coe senior has been almost untouchable by other NCAA Division III wrestlers while building a 60-3 mark.

Rush will try to continue that trend at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships today and Saturday in La Crosse, Wis. Rush open his 125-pound title defense against the winner of Central's Kalen Greiner (17-12) and Wisconsin-Platteville's Mack Drees (31-14).

“He's a fierce competitor,” Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. “He's been a huge impact on our program. He's everything you look for in an athlete.”

Rush is the first Kohawk to win three Iowa Conference titles and just the 39th in conference history. He enters the national tournament with a 122-11 career mark, including 28-1 this season.

He will try to become Coe's first two-time NCAA champion and earn his fourth All-American honor after placing second as a freshman and fifth as a sophomore.

“I'm relaxed and loose,” Rush said. “I feel good and prepared.”

Last year, Rush was chasing a national title. He doesn't look at this year as defending a title, but rather having to earn a second one.

“That was last year. That's erased,” Rush said. “This is a whole new year. I have to take that mentality. I'm going after that first one again.”

Rush has been injury free the last two seasons. He persevered through two tears to knee cartilage his freshman season, then injured a shoulder the next year. His first two years ended with surgeries.

“Really, what's helped him the last two years is he's been able to wrestle the entire year without an injury,” Oostendorp said. “He wrestled his first two years with injuries that would be season-ending for most kids.”

Oostendorp said the Kohawks have asked a lot out of Rush the last four seasons. The native of Aledo, Ill., has accepted his role of sparking Coe in duals and tournaments.

“Against highly rated kids he knows what is expected of him and it's not to go out and get a win,” Oostendorp said. “It's to go out and try to dominate that opponent and get bonus points. He's done it that last four years.”

Rush has a major decision (32), technical fall (27) or pin (22) in 66.4 percent of his victories. In the last two seasons, 40 of his 60 wins were by major decision (18), technical fall (15) or pin (7).

“He works extremely hard in his matches to score points,” Oostendorp said.

A desire to be the best and lack of injury to hinder his talent has elevated Rush to the top of his class. Oostendorp has never sensed any complacency and expect none this weekend.

“He's been healthy this year and last year,” Oostendorp said. “I think you see the results of it. I know he'll be excited and ready to compete.”