Iowa Wrestler Defaults Rather Than Face Girl

rockin'robin · 02-17-2011, 01:12 PM

Sophomore Says It's Inappropriate For Boys To Engage Girls In Combat Sport

DES MOINES, Iowa -- An Iowa high school wrestler who was one of the favorites to win his weight class defaulted on his first-round state tournament match rather than face one of the first girls to ever qualify for the event.

Joel Northrup, a home-schooled sophomore who was 35-4 wrestling for Linn-Mar High this season, said in a statement that he doesn't feel it would be right for him to wrestle Cedar Falls freshman Cassy Herkelman. Herkelman, who was 20-13 entering the tournament, and fellow 112-pounder Ottumwa sophomore Megan Black, who was 25-13, made history by being the first girls to qualify for the state tournament. Black was pinned quickly in her opening round match.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," wrote Northrup. "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa."

There were several thousand fans on hand Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena, but many were watching other matches when the referee raised Herkelman's hand to signal her win. There was a smattering of cheers and boos from the crowd before Herkelman was whisked into the bowels of the arena.

Tournament organizers declined to make Herkelman available for questions. Her next match is Friday.

In a text message to The Associated Press, her father, Bill Herkelman, said he understands Northrup's decision.

"It's nice to get the first win and have her be on the way to the medal round," Bill Herkelman wrote. "I sincerely respect the decision of the Northrup family especially since it was made on the biggest stage in wrestling. I have heard nothing but good things about the Northrup family and hope Joel does very well the remainder of the tourney."

Linn-Mar athletics director Scott Mahmens said the school would not penalize Northrup for defaulting. Because he defaulted and didn't forfeit, Northrup is eligible to compete in consolation rounds. Black will also compete in the consolation rounds.

Wrestling is hugely popular in Iowa, and this is the first time girls have qualified for the state tournament, which began in 1926.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, just more than 6,000 girls competed in wrestling in 2009-10 - compared with nearly 275,000 boys. Though most states require girls to wrestle boys, California, Hawaii and Texas now sponsor girls-only high school wrestling tournaments.

Iowa Wrestler Defaults Rather Than Face Girl - Irresistible News Story - WJXT Jacksonville

**Bottesini** · 02-17-2011, 01:32 PM

We saw that on the noon news. I was surprised there are female wrestlers as men have much more upper body strength.

**Reba** · 02-17-2011, 01:36 PM

Good for him!

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 02:50 PM

The boy was just scared of getting owned.

Frisky Feline · 02-17-2011, 02:51 PM

I think she's tough.

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

We saw that on the noon news. I was surprised there are female wrestlers as men have much more upper body strength.

Actually, they usually are put in specific classes of wrestlers according to their weight.

Frisky Feline · 02-17-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

The boy was just scared of getting owned.

yeppers. lol

rockin'robin · 02-17-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

The boy was just scared of getting owned.

Agree....Nothing more embarrassing than to get beat by a girl in sports....

**Jiro** · 02-17-2011, 03:46 PM

eh - it should be segregated

Frisky Feline · 02-17-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

eh - it should be segregated

So you knew you would lose by HER therefore you had to say " should be segregated.

**Jiro** · 02-17-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frisky Feline

So you knew you would lose by HER therefore you had to say " should be segregated.

I don't hit girls

Frisky Feline · 02-17-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

I don't hit girls

exaclty.

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

I don't hit girls

Um, you don't hit women in wrestling.

Glenn · 02-17-2011, 04:19 PM

He should have given her a fair shot.

I wonder how she felt about winning by default?

**Jiro** · 02-17-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

Um, you don't hit women in wrestling.

not literally

**Reba** · 02-17-2011, 06:17 PM

Girls and boys shouldn't be playing full body contact sports together.

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Girls and boys shouldn't be playing full body contact sports together.

Why not?

**Bottesini** · 02-17-2011, 07:05 PM

This actually made the NBC Nightly News .

authentic · 02-17-2011, 07:09 PM

I can't imagine my balls sack to her face just like this

I would default.

**shel90** · 02-17-2011, 07:21 PM

If the girl is in the same weight class as a male opponent, I see nothing wrong with them competing in a match against each other.

This guy was just following what he believes in and I cant hold him at fault for it.

hohDougRN · 02-17-2011, 07:47 PM

Im really proud for those girls who made it to state in their weight class. I think that boy who defaulted copped out in a way. Maybe afraid there was a chance his ego may be bruised if he lost? Instead, I know how I feel about him- and its not good.

**Reba** · 02-17-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

Why not?

Because they shouldn't be in full body contact with each other.

What's wrong with girls competing in girls' leagues, and boys competing in boys' leagues? That's how it's done in other interscholastic sports.

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Because they shouldn't be in full body contact with each other.

You're just repeating yourself instead of giving me an answer. Why shouldn't they be in full body contact with each other?

How is that different from two boys engaging in full body contact sports?

**Reba** · 02-17-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

You're just repeating yourself instead of giving me an answer. Why shouldn't they be in full body contact with each other? How is that different from two boys engaging in full body contact sports?

I thought you were old enough to understand the reason without me having to spell it out for you.

**Jiro** · 02-17-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

If the girl is in the same weight class as a male opponent, I see nothing wrong with them competing in a match against each other.

This guy was just following what he believes in and I cant hold him at fault for it.

this boy-girl competition should be done at home.... not in public. There's every reason why this is wrong.

I would default. Like I said - I don't hit girls.

**Jiro** · 02-17-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banjo

You're just repeating yourself instead of giving me an answer. Why shouldn't they be in full body contact with each other?

How is that different from two boys engaging in full body contact sports?

different gender.

I take it that you have no problem with boy-girl boxing with each other?

Glenn · 02-17-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Because they shouldn't be in full body contact with each other...

It's in front of a lot of people. If there was anything inappropriate, wouldn't it be seen? And they both knew this going in...it's a contact sport.

**Jiro** · 02-17-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

It's in front of a lot of people. If there was anything inappropriate, wouldn't it be seen? And they both knew this going in...it's a contact sport.

which is why it's inappropriate.

In my high school hockey team, we had a girl. When she got checked and it wasn't pretty, my captain took it very personal and he sought him out. He did an illegal check and sacked him... WWF style, dude...

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

different gender.

I take it that you have no problem with boy-girl boxing with each other?

They signed up for it. So...

**Banjo** · 02-17-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

I thought you were old enough to understand the reason without me having to spell it out for you.

So it's for sexual reasons then? How would that be different if one of the boys was gay?

02-17-2011, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,320	Iowa Wrestler Defaults Rather Than Face Girl Sophomore Says It's Inappropriate For Boys To Engage Girls In Combat Sport DES MOINES, Iowa -- An Iowa high school wrestler who was one of the favorites to win his weight class defaulted on his first-round state tournament match rather than face one of the first girls to ever qualify for the event. Joel Northrup, a home-schooled sophomore who was 35-4 wrestling for Linn-Mar High this season, said in a statement that he doesn't feel it would be right for him to wrestle Cedar Falls freshman Cassy Herkelman. Herkelman, who was 20-13 entering the tournament, and fellow 112-pounder Ottumwa sophomore Megan Black, who was 25-13, made history by being the first girls to qualify for the state tournament. Black was pinned quickly in her opening round match. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," wrote Northrup. "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa." There were several thousand fans on hand Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena, but many were watching other matches when the referee raised Herkelman's hand to signal her win. There was a smattering of cheers and boos from the crowd before Herkelman was whisked into the bowels of the arena. Tournament organizers declined to make Herkelman available for questions. Her next match is Friday. In a text message to The Associated Press, her father, Bill Herkelman, said he understands Northrup's decision. "It's nice to get the first win and have her be on the way to the medal round," Bill Herkelman wrote. "I sincerely respect the decision of the Northrup family especially since it was made on the biggest stage in wrestling. I have heard nothing but good things about the Northrup family and hope Joel does very well the remainder of the tourney." Linn-Mar athletics director Scott Mahmens said the school would not penalize Northrup for defaulting. Because he defaulted and didn't forfeit, Northrup is eligible to compete in consolation rounds. Black will also compete in the consolation rounds. Wrestling is hugely popular in Iowa, and this is the first time girls have qualified for the state tournament, which began in 1926. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, just more than 6,000 girls competed in wrestling in 2009-10 - compared with nearly 275,000 boys. Though most states require girls to wrestle boys, California, Hawaii and Texas now sponsor girls-only high school wrestling tournaments. Iowa Wrestler Defaults Rather Than Face Girl - Irresistible News Story - WJXT Jacksonville

02-17-2011, 01:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bottesini Joe's Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: With Owl Sock Posts: 37,532 Blog Entries: 1	We saw that on the noon news. I was surprised there are female wrestlers as men have much more upper body strength. __________________

02-17-2011, 01:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,195	Good for him! __________________ Tell us the truth about Benghazi!

02-17-2011, 03:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 60,560	eh - it should be segregated __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

02-17-2011, 07:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bottesini Joe's Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: With Owl Sock Posts: 37,532 Blog Entries: 1	This actually made the NBC Nightly News . __________________

Today
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02-17-2011, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Banjo Expelled Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 11,650	The boy was just scared of getting owned.

02-17-2011, 02:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,239	I think she's tough.

02-17-2011, 04:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
Glenn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 2,909	He should have given her a fair shot. I wonder how she felt about winning by default?

02-17-2011, 06:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,195	Girls and boys shouldn't be playing full body contact sports together.

02-17-2011, 07:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
authentic Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,100	I can't imagine my balls sack to her face just like this I would default. __________________

02-17-2011, 07:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
shel90 Let It Snow!!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A place where crabs are popular Posts: 40,305 Blog Entries: 3	If the girl is in the same weight class as a male opponent, I see nothing wrong with them competing in a match against each other. This guy was just following what he believes in and I cant hold him at fault for it. __________________ "Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it." --- Anonymous

02-17-2011, 07:47 PM	#21 (permalink)
hohDougRN Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: utah Posts: 3,257	Im really proud for those girls who made it to state in their weight class. I think that boy who defaulted copped out in a way. Maybe afraid there was a chance his ego may be bruised if he lost? Instead, I know how I feel about him- and its not good. __________________ *Doug*

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