Garcia 'Outstanding;' Lions finish 3rd at MVC
Amid all the grim-faced and tight-lipped wrestlers at the Mississippi Valley Conference tournament Saturday stood A.J. Garcia, the 215-pounder from Linn-Mar.
He was all smiles.
Garcia upset top-ranked Conner Herman of Cedar Rapids Jefferson to win the 215-pound crown and was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the 14-team field at Xavier.
"I was ready to go for that match," he said. "It's a real big accomplishment for me."
Garcia dominated Herman, 9-3, in the biggest upset of the day, handing Herman his only loss of the season to a fellow 215-pounder.
"I'm building my way up toward state," said Garcia. "This is going to motivate me."
Garcia, ranked No. 8, raised his record to 38-4 and led seven Metro wrestlers to the top of the victory stand at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.
Last Updated on Monday, 31 January 2011 21:03