Herman makes immediate impact for Norse

Luther wrestling coach Dave Mitchell had some big expectations the first time Conner Herman competed for the Norse.

Herman has impressed in his first college campaign.

The freshman heavyweight will compete in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday at La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis. Competition begins Friday at 11 a.m. Herman qualified for the national tournament by earning an automatic berth, placing third at the Iowa Conference Championships at Coe College.

Herman (23-13) will face Augsburg's second-seeded Chad Johnson in the first round. He is looking forward to compete in the biggest tournament of his career.

"It feels good to qualify for nationals," Herman said. "It's a good opportunity."

He took advantage of his last opportunity, which put him in this position. Herman was seeded sixth in the IIAC tournament, avenging two losses to secure a spot at the NCAA tournament. It was a strong showing in a season with some growing pains.

"He's had some ups and downs," Mitchell said. "He came through in the end."

There were plenty of ups during his first season. He placed in every college tournament this season. Mitchell thinks it might be a first for his team.

"I can't recall another first year wrestler doing that," Mitchell said. "Pretty impressive."

He gained momentum and became more comfortable with each performance. The idea of wrestling at a higher level was less intimidating and overwhelming with each accomplishment.

"The more tournaments where I placed the more I felt like I was back on top when I was in high school," Herman said. "They definitely helped out."

Herman revisited an approach that propelled him to two state medals for Cedar Rapids Jefferson, including the Class 3A 215-pound state title last year. He took the mat believing he was the best wrestler on the mat.

"They way I went into my high school matches was that they aren't better than me," Herman said. "You have to go in every match with that attitude. If you go in with that mindset, that's half the battle."

Mitchell said he believed Herman entered the IIAC tournament with that mentality. He also pointed out that Herman has a strong grasp of strategy and can enact it in competition, which paid dividends in the qualifier tournament.

"You can give him a game plan and he can execute it," said Mitchell, praising Herman for staying in good position, being physically strong and affective on top, a key for heavyweights. "He stays calm and can carry it out."

Herman has a good rapport with his coaches. He said they have have knack of adapting to each wrestling, helping him through a lengthy losing stretch.

"I wasn't developed as much of a college wrestler," Herman said. "I came with more focus. ...I had to refocus on the positive things going for me."

The toughest test lies ahead, but Herman has his coach's confidence. Mitchell expects Herman to continue his success this weekend.

"At D-IIIs, if there's a chance to upset a guy it's in the early round. He wants to win. He's not going up to lose," Mitchell said. "He's a gamer, if anything. He wrestles well in big matches and he has proved that already."