The Doctor is in for Independence

WATERLOO - Chase Straw aspires to become a dentist in the future.

Until he starts drilling holes and filling cavities, the Independence senior makes a root canal seem more appealing than stepping on the wrestling mat against him.

The wannabe doctor was in Friday. Straw pinned all three opponents and Independence claimed a bracket title at the Battle of Waterloo dual tournament at Young Arena. The Class 2A fourth-ranked Mustangs advanced to Saturday's championship pool with a 45-23 win over 3A No. 7 North Scott.

Independence dentist, Dr. Brad Kegler, welcomed Straw into his office and made an impression on him.

'I did an internship with him through our school,” the top-ranked 152-pound Straw said. 'I just fell in love with it, I guess.”

Straw said he likes the profession because you can work with your hands, help others and laughed when he mentioned the paychecks are nice, too. Parallels do exist between dentistry and wrestling. Demands on your time and attention are constant.

'You have to show up and do your job,” Straw said. 'You can't really take a day off.”

One of the biggest lessons learned from time with Kegler was you have to be at your best in everything you do. Straw attempts to excel on the mat, in the classroom, at home and in public.

'You have to set a good example,” said Straw, who has placed third at the last two 2A state tournaments and has signed to wrestle at Iowa State next year. 'You have to take it upon yourself to do the right things.”

Independence Coach Michael Doyle has witnessed Straw give his full effort in each area of his life. He has a natural competitive natural that is a source for his success. Doyle credits Straw's parents for instilling those characteristics.

'If you're going to enter something, do your best,” Doyle said. 'It doesn't matter whether it's school, a game at recess, a PE pickup game or a sport. You compete hard and be your best.

'It says a lot about his family.”

Straw has joined with other seniors to lead the Mustangs, recording two first period falls and another in just three minutes. He sets a good example, letting actions speak louder than any words.

Chase is a guy who is pretty quiet,” Doyle said. 'He is a hard worker and a lot of kids pay attention to what he is doing.”

Independence improved to 10-0 overall this season, rolling through its opening day bracket. The Mustangs opened with a 52-19 win over Waterloo Columbus before dropping 1A third-ranked Don Bosco, 47-25.

Doyle expected some tough individual matchups, which enforced the need for a strong team effort.

'You have to have every single guy do their job,” said Doyle, noting that includes limiting the team points allowed. 'That always adds up for us.”

Union, ranked second in 2A, dominated Pool A, joining Independence in the championship bracket. The Knights handled Iowa City West, 63-15, in their bracket final. Union also thumped 1A top-ranked Alburnett, 58-16, in the semifinals. Union also beat Iowa City High, 66-12, in the first round.

The Knights won at least 10 weights in their first three duals of the two-day event, combining for a 32-10 individual record Friday.

The championship bracket could include three of the top four 2A teams and another nationally ranked 3A program. Davenport Assumption and Cedar Rapids Prairie are both top seeds in their respective brackets. The championship pool promises to be a three-dual grind for the winner.

'This is where we want to be,” Doyle said. 'I don't know if we're the fourth seed in the big picture of things, but on paper we probably are. This is where we want to be and kind of measure ourselves. We're going to put it all out there and go after it. There is no reason to hold anything back.”

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