TOURNEY OVER: A female wrestler who won her first state tourney match because her opponent refused to wrestle a girl has now been eliminated after two losses

Cassy Herkelman, one of the first girls to qualify for the state wrestling tournament in Iowa, has been eliminated from the tourney after her second loss.

She moved into the second round after her first-round opponent Joel Northrup defaulted the Thursday match because he felt wrestling a girl was wrong.

Herkelman lost both of her matches Friday morning, which means her tournament is over. She lost to Matt Victor of Indianola 5-1 in the first match and was pinned in the first period of her second match against Jordan Jones of Des Moines Hoover.

After she was eliminated, Herkelman spoke to the press. She said she didn't have an issue with Northrup's decision not to wrestle her and he had the right to make his own choice.

Joel Northrup's tournament is also over. He was bumped down to the consolation bracket after his default to Herkelman. He lost to Tyler Willers of Pleasant Valley Friday morning.

A referee raised Cedar Falls wrestler Cassy Herkelman's hand Thursday morning making her the first girl to win a state tournament match. The win came by default. Her opponent, Joel Northrup, decided not to wrestle, taking a loss and ending any chance of a state title.

Shortly after the match Northrup issued a statement:

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan and their accomplishments. However wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith, I do not believe it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most high school sports in Iowa."

Northrup's team is a contender for a team wrestling title and the decision to default hurts Linn-Mar's chances. School officials say that isn't even a consideration.

"I'm not disappointed at all. It's a family decision based on their beliefs and faith and we move on from there," said Linn-Mar Atheltic Director Scott Mahmens.

Those without a stake in the match weighed in on the Murph and Andy show on KXNO.

"Putting this kid in this position was really a no win situation, if he beats her ya beat a girl, and if he loses to her, hey you got beat by a girl," said one caller.

Another caller said, "I think the kid deserves credit for standing up for conviction 'cause there's not enough of that."

Another female qualified for the state tournament this year, making it the first time females have wrestled in the tourney since it was sanctioned. Megan Black of Ottumwa lost her first round match by a pin in :52 seconds and was also pinned in her consolation match. Her tournament is over. Both Herkelman and Black qualified in the 112 pound weight class in Class 3A.