By Mark Schafer | The News-Review
DES MOINES – It isn’t always about how far up the podium they make it.
Some of the best lessons can be learned from the wrestlers that don’t even make the podium. For Sigourney-Keota sophomore, Dillon Menke, he is wanting to use the lessons from his State experience to fuel him for future seasons.
Dillon Menke entered the class 1A 165-pound tournament as the 20th seeded wrestler. He didn’t want the moment to get too big for him, although he did admit that the nerves were working overtime as he entered the mat for his opening match.
“That first match I was pretty nervous for it, but that’s alright,” Menke said. “You got to just work through it.”
Menke battled through the nerves the best he could, but he was bested in a 7-3 decision. That sent the sophomore to the consolation side of the bracket where he had to win at three more times to keep his season alive, and finish on the podium.
In the second round consolation match Menke was able to take on a Manson-Nortwest Webster opponent, and won the match handily with a 16-7 major decision win.
“I was able to bounce back in that second match. I felt really good for that one and was able to get the win,” Menke said. “I just wanted to go out there and let it fly, because I knew I didn’t have anything to lose. I won with a lot of points. I was happy to get into the next day. I felt really good going into the third round.”
After a night spent with his teammates, Menke came back to the Casey’s Center ready to wrestle the next day.
Facing off against a Lisbon opponent, Menke had a strong match, but his opponent would eventually pin him in the third period, bringing an end to the State tournament for Menke.
“I didn’t wrestle bad in the third round, but it was just a tough opponent,” Menke said. “It wasn’t fun losing that one, but it was just a good State tournament for me. It’s alright I didn’t quite make it to the podium I still have time to do that.”
Menke finishes the year 30-12 and was one of three Sigourney-Keota wrestlers to qualify for the State tournament.
Photos by Mark Schafer
