IOWA CITY – Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s Conner Herman continued his state championship form Tuesday night as he defeated Iowa City West’s Sean Beasley with a pin at 1:40 in the Class 3A regional dual meet tournament.

After capturing the traditional style state title at 215 pounds Saturday, Herman said he hasn’t had much time to soak it all in.

“It’s been crazy.  First one for Jefferson in 13 years; people have been really supportive,” he said. “I’m talking to people I haven’t talked to in a year or two, so it's good.  It’s what we need.”

Unfortunately, the majority of Herman’s teammates did not enjoy the same success, as the J-Hawks fell to Iowa City West 52-15. Six of their 13 wrestlers got pinned.

Herman registered the only pin for Jefferson at 1:40 and dominated all three periods. Jefferson's other winners were Mic Vesey at 285, Blake Carson at 135 and Griffin Bollman at 103 and all won by decision.

One of the most challenging hurdles after winning a state title is not inside the ring though, according to Herman.  It was an outside factor: keeping his focus for the match against a strong Trojans team.

“It’s hard.  I’m still up on Cloud Nine and haven’t been able to come down from there yet, it’s been amazing,” he said. “It’s still going to be with me for awhile, that feeling that I have right now.”

After seeing the first two wrestlers defeat their opponents, the J-Hawks lost nine of the next 10 matches, one by forfeit. 

“We were the underdogs by a long shot,” said Jefferson Coach Dick Briggs.  “We wanted to be able and come out here and battle and take a step forward and not a step back, and I thought we did.”

Jefferson’s forfeit came at 130 pounds.

“Iowa City West is a good team.  Realistically it’d be like David slaying Goliath, so you have to ask (the team) to go out and battle and wrestle hard, and I thought we did for the most part.  In some cases we were just totally outmanned,” said Briggs.

Iowa City West moves onto the state dual team wrestling meet this Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids.  The Trojans are seeded No. 1 and wrestle No. 8 seeded Spencer in the first round at 10 a.m.

IOWA CITY WEST 52, JEFFERSON 15

103 – Bollman (CRJ) dec. Bailey, 10-3; 112 – Laux (ICW) pinned Hensel 4:35; 119 – Willis (ICW) dec. Rashed 14-5; 130 – Forfeit; 135 – Carson (CRJ) dec. Hathaway 7-6; 140 – Kauzlarich (ICW) pinned Smith 4:17; 145 – Hathaway (ICW) dec. Moenck 4-0; 152 – Lord (ICW) dec. Boesenberg 6-0; 160 – Koethe (ICW) pinned Butler 0:10; 171 – Watkins (ICW) pinned Allen 3:47; 189 – Pelfrey (ICW) pinned Leary 1:40; 215 – Herman (CRJ) pinned Beasley 5:29; 285 – Vesey (CRJ) dec. Foerstner 3-2.