Redhawk wrestler Aiden Zook (right) grapples with Aidan Udell of Regina-Iowa City during the 170 pounds Class 1A consolation semifinal round on Saturday morning in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Zook won by decision 9-2 over Udell, moving on to the third-place round – his final match of both the state tournament and his high school career – where he lost by fall to Max Kohl for a fourth-place state championship finish. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Andrew Knaack couldn’t fight back the tears any longer on Friday evening. Envisioning two North Tama wrestlers on the Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament podium Saturday night was more emotional than he could bear.

After reviving the North Tama wrestling program four years ago, it began to sink in that he would see a pair of Redhawks – senior Aiden Zook and sophomore Case Monat – receive Class 1A state tournament medals following a gutsy performance on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena.

“It’s been a while you know,” Knaack said, giving in to the tears. “Just the pride. It’s been 21 years. The guys have worked their asses off. We bring three guys down here and we’re bringing two medals home, you’ve got to be pretty fired up about that.

“It’s been a long time coming.”

But it was agony evident on the face of North Tama senior Aiden Zook early Saturday as he wondered where things went wrong.

Redhawk wrestler Case Monat (center, fourth from left) walks with his fellow 106-pound champions during the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships’ parade of champions in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Saturday evening ahead of the final championship matches. Monat finished in sixth place in the 106 pounds weight class.–Photo by Soren M. Peterson

After a convincing victory Saturday morning in his consolation semifinal at 170 pounds – during which he banged up his face and right eye to the point his vision was severely affected – the No. 5-ranked Zook went into the last match of his high school career, a rematch with Lisbon’s Max Kohl.

Kohl had knocked Zook out of the winners’ bracket in the quarterfinals on Friday, and this was Zook’s chance at redemption.

Through one period, it was going well. Leading 3-1 and looking the stronger of the two, Zook needed to keep the momentum going and be on his toes.

But one quick move from Kohl later, the match was over. A takedown and pin resigned Zook to fourth place after 3 minutes, 54 seconds.

“It’s wrestling,” Zook said. “That’s his position, that’s what he works at.”

Aiden Zook raises his hand after winning by decision over Aidan Udell of Regina-Iowa City during the 170 pounds Class 1A consolation semifinal round on Saturday morning in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

After gathering himself following a raw defeat, Zook said it was a good experience to be back at state for the first time since his freshman season. He did, however, still have frustrations over not finishing higher up on the podium.

“I can’t be upset about it,” Zook said. “Kind of wish things went the other way. I know I can wrestle with those kids at the top, but it just wasn’t my day.

“I’m overall happy, but still a little upset.”

It was a difficult loss for Zook, and he wasn’t the only North Tama wrestler feeling the downs of state wrestling Saturday morning even as his spot on the podium had been secured.

Coming into the morning with a chance to finish in third, sophomore 106-pounder Case Monat finished in sixth place after defeats in the consolation semifinals and the fifth-place match. Monat took a technical fall in the consolation semis against Jayden Rinken of Nashua-Plainfield, losing 19-3 in 5:44.

North Tama wrestler, senior Aiden Zook (center) faces the crowd from his perch on the awards podium Saturday evening in Wells Fargo Arena after receiving his fourth-place state championship medal. Zook was one of three Redhawk wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament this year, helping to break a 20 year state wrestling drought at North Tama. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson

In the fifth-place match, Mack Morgan of Eagle Grove took down Monat in 2:33.

Monat’s first time at state was difficult, with multiple defeats and a lower spot on the podium than the No. 8-ranked wrestler had hoped for coming in.

But after a moment to reflect, Monat said this experience could help him get back to the Well next year.

“Next year it’s gonna be good,” Monat said. “I don’t know if I’m going to go 113 or 106, might be kind of difficult to make 106 again. I’m gonna come back and practice all summer until wrestling season.

“The nerves kind of get to you out here.”

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Kolt Knaack’s state wrestling run

Kolt Knaack was the third Redhawk to make it to Wells Fargo Arena and the first freshman since 1995 to qualify for the state wrestling tournament. Knaack, ranked No. 6 at 132 pounds, was matched up with No. 5 Joe Ebaugh of Denver Thursday night.

Kolt was pinned in 5:15 by Ebaugh in a close match and was sent to the consolation bracket, where he met a similar fate against Kitt Lundy of Pleasantville.

Coach Knaack said there will be brighter days ahead for Kolt, and he expects him to use this first experience at state to improve next year.

“Kolt was in a tough spot in the bracket,” coach Knaack said. “Either he builds off of it or he lets it set him back. I think he’s gonna take those last two losses to heart. I mean, he won 41 matches this year, a school record for a freshman. He has nothing to hang his head about.”

North Tama wrestler, sophomore Case Monat (center) faces the crowd from his perch on the awards podium Saturday evening in Wells Fargo Arena after receiving his sixth-place state championship medal. By being the first Redhawk wrestler to qualify for the state tournament this season during the Class 1A District 4 tournament in Jesup on Feb. 12, Monat helped to break a 20 year state wrestling drought at North Tama. –Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Case Monat. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

North Tama senior wrestler Aiden Zook's sisters Arabelle Zook (left) and Kaylani Zook (center) smile on Saturday, Feb. 19 , in Wells Fargo Arena alongside Redhawks' wrestling manager Trista Zimple (right) ahead of their big brother's first match of the morning. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Aiden Zook's name flashes up in the Mat 8 queue on Saturday, Feb. 19 in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines during the state wrestling tournament. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Senior Redhawk wrestler Aiden Zook -- a 2-time state qualifier & now 4th place state medalist at 170 pounds -- pictured in profile during the state wrestling tournament on Saturday, Feb. 19 in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Aiden Zook pictured in the Well on Saturday, Feb. 19. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Aiden Zook walks off the mat Saturday morning in the Well with a battered eye which severely hampered his vision. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

After a convincing victory in his consolation semifinal at 170 pounds earlier in the morning, the No. 5-ranked Zook grapples with Lisbon’s Max Kohl in the final match of his high school career. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

North Tama’s Kolt Knaack, right, fights for position with Denver’s Joe Ebaugh during their first-round match at 132 pounds in Class 1A competition at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Knaack lost twice on Thursday to be eliminated from the state meet. Photo by Noah Rohlfing

Photo by Noah Rohlfing