Green Devils second, two on top of podium
By Kristi Nixon
DES MOINES — Nick Fox finally broke through. Barrett Muller was wrestling with a purpose.
Both won state titles for Osage as the Green Devils finished second in the Class 2A state individual tournament, missing a team title by a mere half-point, 109-108.5, behind Burlington Notre Dame.
“It’s awesome, great,” Fox said. “It’s everything I’ve worked for and dreamed for.”
The third straight Saturday facing Carl Barkema of Hampton-Dumont resulted in a 7-2 win by decision over the Bulldog senior who became the winningest wrestler in that school’s history. Fox held a 3-0 lead into the third where Barkema’s only points were on escapes.
“I was obviously nervous,” Fox said, “big show, but I stayed, calm and I knew that I was the better wrestler, so I went out and showed it.
“I just needed to wrestle smart, wrestle my match and I knew I was the better wrestler. He’s hard – you can get in a shot, and you think you’re going to score, and all of a sudden he’s reaching around you and grabbing your leg …”
Muller dedicated his win to his cousin Wade Machin, who passed away last year at age 36, was part of Osage’s state dual team from 20 years ago and was honored this season.
“He was a really good wrestler, too,” Muller said, “and it just means everything to win it for him…”
The full story appears, along with a four-page special section, in the Feb. 23 print edition of the Enterprise Journal.
