The state tournament program was proofread, so that isn’t a typo next to Larry Eggers’ name. The Maquoketa senior 171-pounder owns a 5-2 record before his opening match against sixth-ranked Jack Manning of Woodward-Granger (28-2)
According to Maquoketa Coach Tod Bowman, Eggers had to sit out the regular season due to “disciplinary reasons” resulting from a situation last summer.
“He knew going into the season he was going to be ineligible until sectionals,” Bowman said. “He practiced all year long (and) beat out our varsity kid.”
He also beat Mount Vernon’s eighth-ranked Josh Haug just to advance to district, earning runner-up finishes in each postseason tournament. Eggers, a district qualifier last year with a 26-11 record, didn’t experience any live-match situations all season. The closest thing were simulated matches in practice. That normally would be a huge disadvantage against wrestlers with a full season under their belt.
“He was able to put enough together to qualify for state for the first time,” said Bowman, noting Eggers also has to handle Type-I diabetes. “Not bad for a kid that’s only been wrestling four years.”
Eggers will be joined by Cardinal teammates Tim O’Connell (130), Ryan Flagel (152) and 160-pounder Thomas Mayberry. Maquoketa advanced all four district qualifiers for the first time, according to Bowman.
“We got everybody through,” Bowman said. “It was a nice day not having to give that condolence speech to a couple kids.”