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The Resilience and Triumph of Fort Dodge Wrestlers at the Iowa State Tournament
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DES MOINES — The Wells Fargo Arena buzzed with excitement as Fort Dodge wrestlers showcased their skills at the Iowa state wrestling tournament. For sophomore Joe Constable, his first appearance wasn’t marked by nerves, but by pure exhilaration. He advanced to the quarterfinals on Thursday with a decisive second-period fall.
“I was just excited to compete,”Constable said.“I need to keep taking it one match at a time. I love the atmosphere of the state wrestling tournament. There’s nothing like it.”
Constable’s success was mirrored by several of his teammates. Joining him in Friday’s quarterfinal round were sophomore Trace Rial (106 pounds), defending state champion Koy Davidson (144 pounds), and two-time gold medalist Dreshaun Ross (215 pounds). Simultaneously occurring, freshman Damien Yeoman (113), senior Hunter Richardson (150), junior Rylee Brown (157), sophomore Jayce Skow (165), and junior Jesse Egli (175) transitioned to the consolation bracket.
“we wrestled hard and lost a few matches we shouldn’t have,” said Fort Dodge High School head coach Bobby Thompson. “You just have to go out and keep going. Never be satisfied. The effort was there. Some of the losses hurt, but you have to show a short memory and get ready for the next one.”
With 30 points, Fort Dodge was tied for ninth place with Carlisle in the Class 3A team standings. Southeast Polk led with 72.5 points, followed by Indianola (46) and Waukee Northwest (42).
Constable (39-6), the fifth seed, secured his 10th consecutive win with a 2:40 fall over Anthony Snoodey (23-10) of Cedar Rapids Jefferson. His next opponent, fourth-seeded Henry Mohr (33-10) of Waukee Northwest, presented a familiar challenge. Mohr had previously defeated Constable 4-1, SV-1, in the J-Hawk Invitational finals.
“Joe wrestled really well and is very confident,”Thompson said.“He just has to open a little bit against a familiar opponent.”
Rial (23-5) also faced a familiar foe in Waterloo East’s Mariyon Norton (27-12) at 106 pounds, securing a decisive 9-0 major decision after two previous close wins.His quarterfinal matchup pitted him against fourth-seeded Chase Watkinson (38-3) of Cedar Rapids Prairie, a wrestler who had previously defeated Rial 14-2 in a regional dual.
“we faced him twice before,”Thompson said.“Trace wrestled a very strategic match. Norton likes to slow the match down. When Trace faced Watkinson, he put us on it. Trace just has to go out and control the tempo.”
“I usually have first-match jitters,”Rial admitted.“But once I get going, I trust my ability to wrestle so I don’t get nervous. It’s nice knowing that I’ve made it this far, and that I’ve made it further than last year already. I’m always looking to keep moving forward in the bracket too,but I still need to worry about just one match at a time.”
Fort Dodge’s Division I wrestlers, Davidson and Ross, continued their winning streaks, advancing to the quarterfinals in under three minutes combined. Davidson (35-2), an Oregon State commit, dominated Mandius Volentine (43-16) of Lewis Central with an 18-1 technical fall in 1:38. He will face sixth-seeded Nolan Howell (43-8) of Clear Creek-Amana.
“I just take it one match at a time and don’t get ahead of myself,”Davidson said.“Never too high or too low. I just stay present and ready for whatever task is ahead. That’s where I wrestle best.”
“koy is focused on the state championship,”Thompson said.“He is a tournament guy, and when it turns to February, he’s ready to go. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel. He only has three matches left in his career.”
Ross (17-0), bound for Oklahoma State, extended his winning streak to 101 matches with a 1:01 pin of Newton’s Nick milburn (31-16). He will face No. 9 Joseph Monge (47-9) of Lewis Central, a wrestler he previously defeated 21-6 in the district final.
“I approach the early matches just as I would later ones,”Ross said.“I try to implement the same (gameplan) every time out, no matter what round it is or where it’s at.I just got to go do what I’ve trained to do. The (state title) will come provided that I control what I can.”
“Koy and Dreshaun are two of the elite wrestlers in the state,”Thompson said.“they are wrestling tough kids,but they make it look easy against some of the very best. They’re controlling solid opponents.”
Egli (34-12) and Brown (35-17), both making their third state appearances, won their first matches before falling in subsequent rounds. brown secured his 90th career victory before losing a close match to Southeast Polk’s Dokken Biladeau (33-9). Egli dominated his first match before losing to Southeast Polk’s Wyatt Gibson (29-10).
“Rylee came out and wrestled aggressively,”Thompson said.“The second match, he made one mistake and couldn’t catch up. We were the offensive wrestler.”
“Jesse was dominant in his first match,”Thompson said.“The second match, I think he respected his opponent too much and didn’t go on the offensive.”
Yeoman (33-18) and Richardson (21-25) also competed, with Yeoman losing to Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Elliott Gnewuch (25-8) and Richardson falling to Clinton’s Brady Jennings (36-5). Skow (15-22) medically forfeited his opening match due to illness.
“I think damien was a little nervous,”Thompson said.“He came out and got a takedown, but struggled a little after that. He’ll bounce back.”
“Hunter came out against a district champion who was very perilous,”Thompson said.“Now he’ll face an opponent he saw last Saturday.”
“Jayce wasn’t feeling well (Tuesday) and we thought he had gotten a little better (Wednesday), but his best bet was to sit out unluckily,”Thompson said.“It’s tough to have that happen, but it’s still a big deal to make it down here as a sophomore.”
“The guys on the backside…that’s where you climb the ladder and score team points,”Thompson said.“You show your character and how bad you want to win.Some guys that get beat on the front side, who thought they weren’t going to, come out and pack it in. You have to be ready for that and pounce.”
Quarterfinal and consolation matches resumed at 9 a.m. in Wells Fargo Arena.
Up Next for fort Dodge
Quarterfinals
- 106 — No. 5 Trace Rial, so. (23-5) vs. No. 4 Chase Watkinson, so., Cedar Rapids Prairie, (38-3)
- 144 — No. 3 koy Davidson, sr., (35-2) vs. No. 6 Nolan Howell, sr., Clear Creek-Amana, (43-8)
- 215 — No. 1 Dreshaun Ross, jr., (17-0) vs. No. 9 Joseph monge, sr.,Lewis Central,(47-9)
- 285 — No. 5 Joe Constable,
Interview: The Unyielding Spirit of Fort Dodge Wrestlers at the Iowa State Tournament
Headline: Unveiling the Resilience and Strategy Behind Fort Dodge’s Success at the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament
Introduction:
When Fort Dodge wrestles, they don’t just compete—it’s a showcase of resilience, skill, and teamwork that captivates audiences at the Iowa state wrestling tournament. From the remarkable performances of seasoned champions to the gutsy efforts of rising sophomores,what drives these athletes toward excellence? We delve into the heart of this wrestling powerhouse with our fictional expert,Coach Emily Hartman,to uncover the dynamics behind their success.
Editor: Welcome, Coach Hartman. We’re thrilled to have you hear to share insights into Fort Dodge’s notable showing at the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament. To start us off, what surprised you the most about the team’s performance this year?
Coach Hartman: I was especially impressed by the blend of youthful enthusiasm and veteran presence on the mat.Take sophomore Joe Constable, for instance. Competing in the state tournament can be overwhelming for anyone at his stage, but he advanced to the quarterfinals with determination and ease. His ability to maintain composure under pressure in such a high-stakes environment sets a precedent for the younger wrestlers. It’s this combination of experienced guidance and fresh vigor that keeps the team strong.
Editor: That brings us to the veterans, like Koy Davidson and Dreshaun Ross. Known for their strategic prowess, how do these experienced athletes keep setting themselves apart?
Coach Hartman: Both Koy Davidson and Dreshaun ross are fighters who embody focus and strategy in every match. Davidson, an Oregon State commit, has a unique mindset where he sees each match as a standalone journey.As he stated, it’s about staying present and not getting ahead of oneself amidst the progression. On the other hand, Ross from Oklahoma State is exemplary of maintaining a consistent game plan from start to finish, nonetheless of the opponent or round. This unwavering focus is crucial in competing against top-tier athletes and is a lesson for younger wrestlers on the team.
Editor: Speaking of strategy, Trace Rial had to make adjustments against closely matched opponents. Can you elaborate on what this adaptability means for a young wrestler on the rise?
Coach hartman: Trace Rial’s adaptability showcased the strategic depth he’s acquired over his wrestling career. Facing wrestlers like Mariyon Norton and Chase Watkinson taught him to control the tempo and adapt strategies mid-match. This adaptability isn’t just about changing tactics; it’s a mental shift that many young wrestlers have to develop. Being able to manipulate the pace and style of a match makes all the difference, especially when dealing with seasoned opponents who have your number.
editor: You’ve mentioned the importance of mental adaptability. How does mental toughness, particularly in handling both victories and setbacks, contribute to the team’s overall growth?
Coach Hartman: Mental toughness is the bedrock of any successful wrestling team. Watching the Fort Dodge team embrace both triumphs and losses with grace is a testament to their character. Head coach Bobby Thompson instills a philosophy of resilience: “Never be satisfied, and always show a short memory.” This mindset encourages wrestlers to focus on the immediate task rather than dwelling on past outcomes. Handling setbacks bravely and returning to the mat with renewed vigor builds a community where every member pushes each other to excel.
Editor: What about teamwork? How do individual successes interlink with the team’s performance and dynamics?
Coach Hartman: Teamwork in wrestling, particularly at a competitive level like the Iowa state tournament, is crucial. Individual successes, as seen in athletes like Davidson and Ross, not only elevate team standings but also elevate morale. When a teammate clinches a decisive win, it ignites a sense of collective pride and motivation across the entire wrestling squad. Every athlete is taught to support their peers, knowing that every point scored, whether on the frontside or backside of the bracket, counts towards the team’s total victory.
Editor: Looking forward, what advice do you have for aspiring athletes aiming for the state tournament level?
Coach Hartman:
- Cultivate Composure: Stay present in every moment, understanding that every match is a new challenge regardless of previous outcomes.
- Embrace Adaptability: Learn to adjust strategies and mental approaches based on your opponent and match dynamics.
- Cultivate Mental Toughness: Develop a short memory for losses and victories alike; keep your focus on the ‘next match.’
- Strive for Team Excellence: Remember that your individual success contributes to your team’s goals. Support and uplift each other.
- Plan for Longevity: Treat each wrestling season as a stepping stone towards greater feats; each victory is a milestone in your journey.
Conclusion:
Coach Emily Hartman’s insights illuminate the strategic subtleties and mental fortitude distinguishing Fort Dodge wrestlers in pivotal contests like the Iowa state tournament. By integrating these principles, teams can cultivate a culture of resilience and excellence. We invite you to discuss in the comments your thoughts on the key takeaways or share personal insights from your wrestling experiences on social media.Your voice enriches our understanding of this exceptional sport.
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