Lame excuse...

[R13]

On Thursday, a girl won a match at the most historic high school state wrestling tournament in the country, but she did so in an even more unusual and controversial way than most had imagined possible.

According to the Cedar Rapids Metro Sports Report, Des Moines Register and Associated Press, among other outlets, Cassy Herkelman, one of two girls who qualified for the Iowa state wrestling tournament, won the opening match in her Class 3-A, 112-pound classification by forfeit when her scheduled opponent, Joel Northrup, officially reported and withdrew from the bout, earning a loss but ensuring he could continue to participate in later matches at the tournament.

Northrup, a sophomore at Lin-Mar (Iowa) High, cited his personal faith as the motivating force for his forfeit. The withdrawal ensures he can finish no higher than third at the tournament, which follows his third-place finish in the 103-pound classification as a freshman.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan [Black] and their accomplishments," Northrup said in a statement given to the media following his official forfeit. "However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times.

"As a matter of conscience and faith, I do not believe that 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 other high school sports in Iowa."

While girls have been allowed to compete as part of boys wrestling teams in Iowa for more than two decades, the 2010-11 season marks the first time that any girls have qualified for the state tournament. In addition to Herkelman, who you can see wrestling in the video above, fellow 112-pound wrestler Megan Black is also competing at the historic state tournament.

When Northrup's forfeit was made official, Herkelman, a freshman at Cedar Falls (Iowa) High was summoned to the middle of the mat and her arm was raised aloft, as you can see in the picture above, signifying the first official victory for a girl at the Iowa wrestling championships.

Though there was plenty of reason for disappointment, Herkelman's father, Bill Herkelman, told the Des Moines Register that the family harbored no ill will toward Northrup whatsoever.

"My understanding is that they've got strict convictions [as a family], and I respect them," Bill Herkelman told the Register. "I don't have any ill will toward them and I don't think it's any kind of boycott about [Cassy Herkelman] being a girl."

In a subplot that could prove to be as intriguing as the initial forfeit, it's possible that Northrup -- who entered as the No. 5 seed in the 112-pound classification -- will be faced with an identical scenario later in the tournament. With Northrup working through the loser's bracket following the forfeit, he will be forced to face off with the losers of other matches later in the event.

If Herkelman or Black, who wrestles for Ottumwa (Iowa) High, lose in the early rounds of the event, they would enter the same bracket that now features Northrup, meaning that there is an outside possibility that the Lin-Mar sophomore would be paired against a girl again.

Another forfeit would all but end Northrup's tournament altogether, though it would hardly generate the attention or notoriety that his initial forfeit gained, given its history-making role in the annals of Iowa high school sports.

For first time, Iowa girl wins a state wrestling match ... by forfeit - Prep Rally - High School? - Yahoo! Sports

[Unchained]

On Thursday, a girl won a match at the most historic high school state wrestling tournament in the country, but she did so in an even more unusual and controversial way than most had imagined possible.

According to the Cedar Rapids Metro Sports Report, Des Moines Register and Associated Press, among other outlets, Cassy Herkelman, one of two girls who qualified for the Iowa state wrestling tournament, won the opening match in her Class 3-A, 112-pound classification by forfeit when her scheduled opponent, Joel Northrup, officially reported and withdrew from the bout, earning a loss but ensuring he could continue to participate in later matches at the tournament.

Northrup, a sophomore at Lin-Mar (Iowa) High, cited his personal faith as the motivating force for his forfeit. The withdrawal ensures he can finish no higher than third at the tournament, which follows his third-place finish in the 103-pound classification as a freshman.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan [Black] and their accomplishments," Northrup said in a statement given to the media following his official forfeit. "However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times.

"As a matter of conscience and faith, I do not believe that 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 other high school sports in Iowa."

While girls have been allowed to compete as part of boys wrestling teams in Iowa for more than two decades, the 2010-11 season marks the first time that any girls have qualified for the state tournament. In addition to Herkelman, who you can see wrestling in the video above, fellow 112-pound wrestler Megan Black is also competing at the historic state tournament.

When Northrup's forfeit was made official, Herkelman, a freshman at Cedar Falls (Iowa) High was summoned to the middle of the mat and her arm was raised aloft, as you can see in the picture above, signifying the first official victory for a girl at the Iowa wrestling championships.

Though there was plenty of reason for disappointment, Herkelman's father, Bill Herkelman, told the Des Moines Register that the family harbored no ill will toward Northrup whatsoever.

"My understanding is that they've got strict convictions [as a family], and I respect them," Bill Herkelman told the Register. "I don't have any ill will toward them and I don't think it's any kind of boycott about [Cassy Herkelman] being a girl."

In a subplot that could prove to be as intriguing as the initial forfeit, it's possible that Northrup -- who entered as the No. 5 seed in the 112-pound classification -- will be faced with an identical scenario later in the tournament. With Northrup working through the loser's bracket following the forfeit, he will be forced to face off with the losers of other matches later in the event.

If Herkelman or Black, who wrestles for Ottumwa (Iowa) High, lose in the early rounds of the event, they would enter the same bracket that now features Northrup, meaning that there is an outside possibility that the Lin-Mar sophomore would be paired against a girl again.

Another forfeit would all but end Northrup's tournament altogether, though it would hardly generate the attention or notoriety that his initial forfeit gained, given its history-making role in the annals of Iowa high school sports.

For first time, Iowa girl wins a state wrestling match ... by forfeit - Prep Rally - High School* - Yahoo! Sports

Be careful about assuming things. This if this is the reason is a very legit one. Never rag someone when it comes to faith/personal beliefs. You aren't walking in his shoes. To give up a shot at a state title (especially when he had a shot-chances are he would have quickly pinned her) to walk in your faith is commendable (whether you agree with it or not)

[R13]

Let's be realistic here, that's a lame excuse and I've never read that in the bible and that's not part of really any faith. I've seen you throw out religious excuses when you experienced it with your job. He's knew for awhile she's in his weight class, been pretty big news since they qualified. Really think he was trying to save face and used an excuse not many are going to blast him for. That card is played just as much as any, sometimes legit and others pretty foolish.

[Biggin]

If he truly believes its against his beliefs, I have absolutely no problems with it.
A person that young sticking to their beliefs when it costs them a shot at a state title, its pretty hard to believe. It shows a ton of character if he really believes that wrestling a girl is fundamentally wrong.

I totally disagree, the girl earned her way there and she is every bit as capable as any boy, but his views are his.

but I do take serious issue with IDs post. What makes you think that boy would just instantly pin the girl? Thats a horrible assumption, pretty sexist. The girl qualified for the state tournament, why do you assume she is a terrible wrestler? Shes obviously pretty darn good

[R13]

I think it's just an excuse, I don't know of any rules against that and the bible is pretty degrading to women...let alone would speak against something like this. It'd be against violence, which if that was the case, why was he wrestling in the first place if this is such a big issue to him? Not buying it for a second, could be wrong, but really not buying it. I mean I would definitely think it's a great move if it were the case, I'd respect it, but I don't believe it.

[Unchained]

If he truly believes its against his beliefs, I have absolutely no problems with it.
A person that young sticking to their beliefs when it costs them a shot at a state title, its pretty hard to believe. It shows a ton of character if he really believes that wrestling a girl is fundamentally wrong.

I totally disagree, the girl earned her way there and she is every bit as capable as any boy, but his views are his.

but I do take serious issue with IDs post. What makes you think that boy would just instantly pin the girl? Thats a horrible assumption, pretty sexist. The girl qualified for the state tournament, why do you assume she is a terrible wrestler? Shes obviously pretty darn good

Have you followed High School Wrestling Biggin'? I have for years and have seen many boy vs girl matchups,and they end up more times than not ugly and quick. Sexist? Lol-you def don't know me at all man. If you did,you'd be laughing at that statement. It has NOTHING to do with being sexist man. What it is though is the glaring difference in strength/physical difference between a16yr old boy vs gal. Had you watched enough of it through the years,you'd see what I was saying. I never said the girl was terrible and if you had thoroughly read my post,you'd have seen that I said that chances are that he would have pinned her,not that he would have 100% guaranteed stuck her. I said chances are because I have seen it happen so many times)

[Biggin]

Have you followed High School Wrestling Biggin'? I have for years and have seen many boy vs girl matchups,and they end up more times than not ugly and quick. Sexist? Lol-you def don't know me at all man. If you did,you'd be laughing at that statement. It has NOTHING to do with being sexist man. What it is though is the glaring difference in strength/physical difference between a16yr old boy vs gal. Had you watched enough of it through the years,you'd see what I was saying. I never said the girl was terrible and if you had thoroughly read my post,you'd have seen that I said that chances are that he would have pinned her,not that he would have 100% guaranteed stuck her. I said chances are because I have seen it happen so many times)

Its an incredibly sexist statement. You know absolutely nothing about the girl or her skill, yet you just assume she gets beat easily because a few girls trying to prove a point have been beaten around here. This is absolutely not the case.
This girl was nationally ranked on the girls side, even talked about the Olympics. She has beaten a ton of guys this year. She qualified for the state overall tournament against BOYS IN IOWA! She has beaten boys all year long.
She is apparently a very good wrestler, one of the best.

So yes, its an incredibly sexist statement to assume the girl is automatically weaker and not as capable when she qualified for the state tournament in IOWA.
She didnt get a free pass into the tournament, she had to compete and beat boys to make it.

[Unchained]

Let's be realistic here, that's a lame excuse and I've never read that in the bible and that's not part of really any faith. I've seen you throw out religious excuses when you experienced it with your job. He's knew for awhile she's in his weight class, been pretty big news since they qualified. Really think he was trying to save face and used an excuse not many are going to blast him for. That card is played just as much as any, sometimes legit and others pretty foolish.

This has nothing to do with religious experiences with my job (not that this has anything to do with it anyway,and nothing is wrong with that regardless). What this is was you just assuming that the young man was using his faith/convictions as an excuse when we truly do not know that this is the case.