Barkema, Showalter still chasing the dream

DES MOINES — Bulldog juniors Carl Barkema and Jack Showalter will continue to wrestle in the Class 2A state meet on Friday.

Barkema will be on the championship side, earning a fall against Spirit Lake Park’s Zach Jensen in 5 minutes, 22 seconds.

Showalter will take the consolation round after coming back from an 8-0 major decision against top-seeded Blaine Fraziier of West Burlington Notre Dame to take a 5-2 decision against Sheldon-South O’Brien’s Coy DeBoer.

Barkema had a tougher battle than he originally anticipated.

“He was really strong,” Barkema said. “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).”

He opens Friday’s session against top-ranked and top-seeded Jack Gaukel of Sergeant Bluff-Luton.

“I think if I come out like that (like I did today), it’s not going to end very well, but if I get my mind focused, it will be very hard for him to beat me.”

Jensen had a two-point near fall against Barkema in the second period, however, Barkema was impressive in taking Jensen straight to his back for the fall in the third.

“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.”

Showalter nearly got an escape as time expired in the third, but it was waved off.

“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. “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. He’s stronger than me and I need to get out.

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

Nevertheless, it was a big relief for Showalter.

“It’s been a rough ride and I’m chasing the dream,” Showalter said. “I got beat bad the first match and I had to come back and beat that kid to move on.

“Trying to reach the podium — that’s the dream and I’m chasing it.”

Showalter awaits the loser of the quarterfinal match between Spirit Lake Park’s Jonathan Burnette and Greene County’s McKinley Robbins.

Both knew the support was there. 

“I know for a fact as many people who wanted to come watch me got into this building that could and there is even more at home watching on Track (web site),” Barkema said. “I know they are here supporting me whether they were in the building or not.”

Between the two, the Bulldogs were in an 11-way tie for 36th place with five points.