INDEPENDENCE — The emotions of three years worth of blood, sweat and tears came to the fore Saturday as Iola High senior Korbin Cloud squared off in his Class 4A consolation semifinal.
Cloud, who finished one match short from qualifying for the state meet a year ago, found himself in a nearly identical situation once again.
After dominating his first opponent of the day in Saturday’s regional competition, pinning Scott Sloan of Frontenac in 23 seconds of their 144-pound match, Cloud took on top seed Cason Wyrick of Labette County in the championship semifinals.
Alas, Wyrick took control midway through the first period, and pinned Cloud with seconds remaining.
Rather than dwell on the setback, Cloud had one more shot at state, in the consolation semis — also known as the “blood round” — where a win would punch his ticket to state.
A loss would end the season.
But Cloud got the early jump against Elijah Younger of Paola, netting two early points for a takedown, but unable to get a pin in the first period.
Younger, sensing an opportunity to make up ground, opted for the bottom starting position, and thus the potential to earn a quick point if he could escape.
Cloud had other plans.
A quick shift at the outset allowed Cloud to quickly flip Younger onto his back and get the pin, 19 seconds into the period.
Cloud gave an ebullient clap, and was greeted by head coach Jason Bates for an emotional hug afterward.
“It was mainly relief,” Cloud admitted.
The victory means Cloud is in Topeka for the Class 4A State Tournament in Salina, the sole Mustang grappler to qualify.
The honor is well deserved, Bates said.
“Korbin’s been working for three years to make it to the high school state tournament,” Bates noted. “He’s been in some of the toughest weight brackets in our regionals for the last two years.”
