The five ADM wrestlers headed to this year’s state tournament in Des Moines, which begins today at 1:30 p.m., are an interesting mix.
The group includes three Tigers making a second straight appearance at state, and two who are making their first trip. The three returnees, juniors Zach Johnston and Nathan Heath and senior Trevor Harsh, are all ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight classes, and all three placed at least year’s tournament (Johnston was runner-up at 160 pounds, Harsh 7th at 138 pounds and Heath 8th as a heavyweight).
The trio all have aspirations and realistic opportunities of improving upon their finishes from last year, and will draw upon their experience competing at the highest level to help them this year.
“Getting to state last year, first match, I was kind of fazed, kind of awed by the crowd,” Harsh said. “But going back now, I know I’ve been there before, and I’m just going to focus on trying to get a title senior year.”
They’ll also lend a guiding hand to the first-time state tournament wrestlers, in sophomore Cole Bennett (182 pounds) and senior Zach Ostendorf (220 pounds). ADM head coach Justin Schmauss said simple things -like the returning wrestlers helping their inexperienced teammates navigate the labyrinth that is Wells Fargo Arena and understand the schedule – go a long way toward helping first-timers like Ostendorf and Bennett feel more comfortable.
Schmauss also pointed out that Ostendorf and Bennett can also use their inexperience to their advantage.
“You’ll see guys at the state tournament just completely crumble just because of the pressure and the atmosphere,” Schmauss said. “That’s where guys like these guys, if they’re facing somebody that’s supposed to be better than them on paper can catch them and can beat them. They’re the underdogs, as the senior that’s coming in with a little better than .500 record and the sophomore that’s at a heavy weight – that’s where their advantage lies.”
We’ll have wall-to-wall coverage of the state wrestling tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday across our three stations and online at raccoonvalleyradio.com.