Witte chasing second title, not defending first

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Prairie's Zach Witte is entrenched as a 2011 state champion. While nothing can take that away, it has no impact now that the calendar reads 2012.

The Hawks senior considers himself one of 16 trying to reach the top step of the awards podium instead of being perched on it someone knocks him off.

Witte will attempt to become the first Prairie wrestler to win consecutive state titles in two decades when he takes the mat for the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state tournament Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. First round begins 9 a.m.

He is looking to become the first Hawk to win titles in consecutive years since Matt Hatcher, who won 140 and 145-pound crowns  in 1991 and 1992.

"I don't feel like I'm defending anything," said Witte, who has signed to wrestle for University of Northern Iowa and head coach Doug Schwab next year. "I'm going in thinking I'm just like everyone else and see what I can do."

The top-ranked 152-pounder is 19-0 and one of 31 unbeaten qualifiers in all three classes. Witte opens with Bettendorf's Drake Chase (16-9). Prairie Coach Blake Williams said they haven't discussed winning a second title, and Witte is not consumed by the idea of repeating.

"He's not going to feel any pressure or anything," said Williams, noting he experienced some as a sophomore after a state-runner-up finish as a freshman. "This year, he knows he needs to go out and do what he does and hopefully he'll get back to where he was."

It is different this time around. As a junior, he was looking for redemption after not reaching the state tournament as a sophomore. This year, everyone is gunning for him and trying to snap the 61-match win streak.

"There is a target on your back," Witte said. "Everyone's going to give you a good run for the money because they have nothing to lose."

The season didn't start the same way as his title run last year. He was out of competition until January, suffering a broken wrist while working out in the fall and then continuing to play football with the injury. Witte was limited to drilling in practice, but it hasn't affected his competition.

"It really hasn't," Williams said. "I think they erred on the side of caution, which was probably a good thing. his conditioning is good. He'll be ready to go."

He will be ready just like the other 15 wrestlers in his bracket, vying for a state champion this season and not defending the one he already earned.

"I'm just another kid doing what I can and whatever happens happens," Witte said. "It's one match at a time."