DES MOINES — Sophomore standout Cody Fisher of Woodward-Granger was defeated in the Class 2A state finals at 195 pounds by West Liberty’s Bryce Esmoil, who scored a 15-0 technical fall over the Hawk freshman.
Determined not to let Esmoil bring the attack to him, Fisher was aggressive from the start Saturday in title bout rematch. Unfortunately, the cagey Esmoil (53-0), who will grapple for the University of Northern Iowa next year, was able to counter the move and turn it into a quick fall, pinning Fisher in 65 seconds to win his second consecutive state title.
“Maybe we were a bit too eager, a little too aggressive, and he (Fisher) got caught,” W-G head coach Dave Smeltzer said. “Cody is best when he is on his feet — I happen to think he is one of the best in the state on his feet — but a veteran guy with a lot of talent turned a small miss into a win. That is what the good ones do.”
“I know he (Cody) is disappointed and that this was not what he had in mind, but part of this sport is learning as you go, and he will take this lesson to heart and use it,” Smeltzer said. “He is 102-9 with two trips to the state finals in his first two years. Not too bad, I think, and I also think you are looking at the next two-time state champion.”
Esmoil was seventh as a freshman, third as a sophomore and followed up with two titles, a standard Fisher (56-3) can top if he rolls off two title of his own — more a probability than a possibility based on his first two seasons.
Fisher badly injured his shoulder and had to medically default in the district finals Feb. 10 and the extent of his injury was an ongoing concern.
“Last week we didn’t even know if he was going to be able to wrestle at all,” Smeltzer said. “If we hadn’t been able to see a therapist that night (Feb. 10) he likely would have missed state. Instead he makes his second final, and I think that tells you all you need to know.”
Fisher had been joined at state by senior Ryan Munoz (38-22), who qualified at 120 pounds. Munoz dropped his first match before winning his second to advance to Friday, but was then eliminated. His final win was the 100th of his career.
