HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Lynx ready for state meet

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By Liza Walling, North-Linn senior

TROY MILLS - North-Linn will be well represented today at the state wrestling tournament.

The Lynx have five wrestlers in Des Moines, including four-time qualifier Logan Mulnix and three-time qualifier Zach Welter. First-time qualifiers Brendan Schott, John Pint and Cole Bamrick also will be on the mats at Wells Fargo Arena.

Welter knows being a state veteran will help him achieve his goal of winning a title.

"Experience really helps, it helped me last year, but it's still scary," he said. "You look up and all you see is people, and you know they're there to watch you.”

The crowd is just another part of the tournament, though, and for those who have wrestled from a young age they understand not only the honor it is to participate in the tournament but also the insane atmosphere that comes with the arena where Iowa crowns its champs.

Pint is one of those who has grown up on the mat.

"I''m excited for state, I've wrestled there before in eighth grade so I kind of know what to expect," he said.

And North-Linn High School will certainly be providing its share of the craziness. Many students, community members and staff will be cheering the Lynx on, hoping for many victories in the famed tournament.