Foss rallies for third-place state medal after early ‘DQ’

Following quarterfinal disqualification ruling, HCHS senior wins final four matches; Olmos finishes 0-2

 DES MOINES (Feb. 17) -- Harlan Community senior Nick Foss never realized his dream of standing atop the state meet podium Saturday night, but it’s easy to argue that Foss was never truly defeated in his second and final State Wrestling Tournament.
 Following three eventful and bittersweet days at Wells Fargo Arena, the Cyclone 195-pounder officially finished with a 5-1 record and earned a third-place medal in Class 2A, moving two steps up the podium from last season.
 Unfortunately, the 2nd-ranked Foss had his state championship hopes dashed during Friday morning’s quarterfinal match against 5th-ranked Nick Smith of Central DeWitt following a “slam” call and subsequent disqualification ruling with just :20 left.
 Instead of taking on top-ranked, defending state champ Bryce Esmoil of West Liberty in the semifinals, Foss had to regroup and face 6th-ranked Harrison Goebel of West Delaware about two hours later. Foss trailed 3-0 in the second period before scoring two takedowns the rest of the way to win 4-3, then won his next two matches on technical falls Friday and Saturday before beating Smith (by injury default) in their rematch for third place.
 Foss, who handled the whole ordeal with poise and class, finished the season 42-2, making him 83-12 with two state medals over the last two years. His 21 state meet points tied the Cyclones for 32nd place in Class 2A out of 79 teams represented.
 Junior Oscar Olmos also competed at state for the Cyclones, finishing 0-2 at 145 pounds Thursday morning. Olmos closed the season with a 38-14 record and made his first state appearance, capping a year of improvement as a wrestler.

 
 

 

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