Barkema eighth for second straight year

DES MOINES – Another year, another state medal for the Bulldogs’ Carl Barkema.

The junior 152-pounder finished eighth for a second consecutive year for coach Patrick Hansen after dropping to the consolation bracket following a loss to top-ranked, seeded and eventual state champion Jack Gaukel of Spirit Lake Park.

Barkema had a tough first round match against Spirit Lake Park’s Zach Jensen, who he pinned in 5 minutes, 22 seconds.

“He was really strong,” Barkema said of Jensen. “He was really strong and I didn’t come out very well and not ready to wrestle, but somehow I came out of it, probably because of my coach (referring to his older brother, Carter).”

Barkema also admitted to some nerves even though he had a year of state experience behind him.

“Definitely still some nerves,” Barkema said. “It’s different with someone wrestling before me because last year (my teammate was after me). It got us a little more ready to go this year. Still nerves, but good nerves.”

He and teammate Jack Showalter, wrestling at 120, had an 11-way tie for 36th after Thursday’s session. Showalter finished his tournament 1-2 and missed the medal stand, although he said that was his ultimate goal. A junior, Showalter will get the opportunity to wrestle again.

“I’d like to think everybody is human, but that kid in the first match is, if not the best in the bracket,” Showalter said after his second match he won by 5-2 decision against Sheldon-South O’Brien’s Coy DeBoer. “He took it to me and I had to realize I can beat these kids and come back to beat the second. He was really strong and is one of my downfalls moving up a weight class…

“That’s something I need to work on (getting out of bottom), I need to get better at that. I’m working on it.”

After Barkema’s loss to Gaukel, he earned a 9-2 decision against Crestwood’s Clay Schemmel to ensure a spot on the medal stand. However, he lost his next match to West Delaware’s Jadyn Peyton by 10-2 major decision to send Barkema to Saturday’s seventh place match.

In the final placing match, Barkema gave up two takedowns and an escape to provide the 5-2 difference against Chance Bockenstedt of North Polk.

After Barkema’s final match, the Bulldogs finished in a three-way tie for 55th with 7 team points.

Class 2A State Wrestling

Bulldog results

120– Second-round Consolation, Jonathon Burnette (Spirit Lake Park) dec. Jack Showalter 7-1.

152– Eighth-place match, Chance Bockenstedt (North Polk) dec. Carl Barkema 5-2.