An Iowa superior college wrestler who grew to become the very first lady to win a state tournament match when her opponent refused to compete in opposition to her for religious factors misplaced her quarterfinals match Friday.
Cedar Falls freshman Cassy Herkelman misplaced 5-1 on factors to Indianola’s Matt Victor within their 112-pound matchup. In spite of the controversy Herkelman was thrust into when her first-round opponent defaulted as opposed to deal with her Thursday, there was small response in the approximately 6,000 Wells Fargo Arena spectators when she misplaced to Victor. There had been many other matches taking location in the time.
Herkelman had a 20-13 document coming into the tournament, but was deprived from the opportunity to point out her abilities when her favored opponent, sophomore Joel Northrup, defaulted as opposed to wrestle her. Northrup, who’s home-schooled but competes for Linn-Mar Significant College, stated wrestling a woman would conflict along with his religious beliefs.
Herkelman and Ottumwa Superior College sophomore Megan Black had been the very first two women to qualify for that tournament in its 85-year historical past.
Herkelman was anticipated to compete inside a consolation spherical match later on Friday.
Black was removed Thursday right after dropping each her matches.
Tournament organizers did not make Herkelman or Victor out there for the media following their match. They stated Herkelman would not talk about the tournament until finally she is completed competing.
On Thursday, Northrup stated he revered Herkelman and Black but did not feel ladies ought to compete towards boys in wrestling. Inside a assertion issued via his college, he known as wrestling a fight activity and mentioned “it can get violent at occasions.”
Herkelman’s father, Bill Herkelman, instructed The Related Press that he revered Northrup’s choice and wished Northrup effectively.
Higher college and school wrestling draw big crowds in Iowa, along with the yearly tournament in Des Moines is adopted carefully all through the state.
