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08-23-2006, 08:02 AM
http://www.illinoismatmen.com/images/wrestlers/clark_tyler.gifWe recently caught up with former IHSA Class A state champ and 2x runner-up Tyler Clark about his move to Bettendorf, Iowa. Here's what he had to say.
Why the move to Iowa? How much did wrestling play a part in the decision?
The move to Iowa was a family decision. Both of my parents have been working in Iowa for some time now and it was more convenient for them to move across the border. Also, my sister is currently a sophomore at the University of Iowa and she wanted to be closer to family. Wrestling did not play a real big part in the move. Yes, I have been with Coach Knight for almost 6 years now, but that just happened to be a coincidence that he got a job close by.
What is the hardest thing about leaving Orion and Illinois in general?
The hardest thing about leaving Orion was my old assistant coach, Dan Diamond. I felt really guilty for leaving him his first year as head coach. He has helped me out a lot through my career at Orion, but moving was a better fit for my family and family comes first.
You wrestled Jeffery Bybee of IVC 4 times last year winning 3 out of the 4. However, Bybee came out on top in the state championship match. Did you see him as a rival? Did you want a rematch as a senior?
Yeah, I guess you could say I saw him as a rival because I saw him just as I saw Clayton Rush, but Clayton and I are real good friends off the mat. Yes, I would have liked a rematch and I might get one next summer, but from the looks of it we probably won’t even be at the same weights next year.
How hard was it leaving Illinois wrestling with a second place finish rather than a title? How strong is the desire for another Illinois state championship?
I was a little sour at first knowing that I wasn't going to get to redeem myself in Illinois, but I hope to do just as well in Iowa as I have done in Illinois. Also, I will see all the competition from Illinois during the summer and at Seniors, so I will still be getting great competition either way.
Did you know you were moving to Iowa before the Illinois state tournament this year? If so, did that change your approach or add any pressure going into state?
No, I didn't know we were going to move before state, I didn't find out until towards the end of the school year. My outlook on state was just the same as it had been in the years previous.
What weight do you see yourself wrestling next season? Compare the Illinois competition versus the Iowa competition at that weight.
I will probably be staying at 119 or 125 because I haven't really grown in the last year. The competition in Iowa is going to be just as tough. Nate Moore will be around my weight. He beat me in FILA Cadets. Also, Matt McDonugh will be just as tough. He just beat Moore in the 119 Cadet National Finals, so the competition is still going to be near the top.
Do you see yourself meeting up with Nate Moore this coming season? Would you adjust your weight in order to face him?
Just like the last question, Moore will be one of the top in the state. What weight he goes? I couldn't tell you. As for the adjusting my weight, well I heard (just speculation) that he will be up at 130. If this is so, and I’m still wrestling 119 I will do whatever is best for the team. I'd rather see us beat ICW as a team than win that match.
Are you looking forward to wrestling for your summer coach, Dan Knight? What impact do you see him having on your wrestling?
I'm real excited for Coach Knight to be there. Like I said before I have been with him going on 5 or 6 years now, and a lot of how I wrestle now was because of him. So now I hope to further my knowledge and develop my style even more.
Will you wrestle for Team Iowa next year at the Duals and Fargo? If so, what will it be like facing your friends from Team Illinois?
I don't think I will be wrestling in the Junior Duals. I don't really want to cheer against my friends. I do plan on wrestling out at Fargo, but it's going to be just the same. My friends were sometimes my competition at Fargo and it's not going to be any different. At least at Fargo I can cheer for Illinois.
I'm sure you plan to continue your wrestling career after high school. What colleges are you interested in?
As of now I am taking official visits to Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, and Purdue. I still have one official visit left and I hope to either take it to Iowa or Missouri.
What are some of your long term goals?
I plan on training out of college and trying out for both the World and Olympic teams. I am not sure on what style I want to do because I really like the new greco rules and they fit my greco style very well. So hopefully I have a long future in front of me.
Stay tuned for more Illinois Matmen Q&A sessions....
Why the move to Iowa? How much did wrestling play a part in the decision?
The move to Iowa was a family decision. Both of my parents have been working in Iowa for some time now and it was more convenient for them to move across the border. Also, my sister is currently a sophomore at the University of Iowa and she wanted to be closer to family. Wrestling did not play a real big part in the move. Yes, I have been with Coach Knight for almost 6 years now, but that just happened to be a coincidence that he got a job close by.
What is the hardest thing about leaving Orion and Illinois in general?
The hardest thing about leaving Orion was my old assistant coach, Dan Diamond. I felt really guilty for leaving him his first year as head coach. He has helped me out a lot through my career at Orion, but moving was a better fit for my family and family comes first.
You wrestled Jeffery Bybee of IVC 4 times last year winning 3 out of the 4. However, Bybee came out on top in the state championship match. Did you see him as a rival? Did you want a rematch as a senior?
Yeah, I guess you could say I saw him as a rival because I saw him just as I saw Clayton Rush, but Clayton and I are real good friends off the mat. Yes, I would have liked a rematch and I might get one next summer, but from the looks of it we probably won’t even be at the same weights next year.
How hard was it leaving Illinois wrestling with a second place finish rather than a title? How strong is the desire for another Illinois state championship?
I was a little sour at first knowing that I wasn't going to get to redeem myself in Illinois, but I hope to do just as well in Iowa as I have done in Illinois. Also, I will see all the competition from Illinois during the summer and at Seniors, so I will still be getting great competition either way.
Did you know you were moving to Iowa before the Illinois state tournament this year? If so, did that change your approach or add any pressure going into state?
No, I didn't know we were going to move before state, I didn't find out until towards the end of the school year. My outlook on state was just the same as it had been in the years previous.
What weight do you see yourself wrestling next season? Compare the Illinois competition versus the Iowa competition at that weight.
I will probably be staying at 119 or 125 because I haven't really grown in the last year. The competition in Iowa is going to be just as tough. Nate Moore will be around my weight. He beat me in FILA Cadets. Also, Matt McDonugh will be just as tough. He just beat Moore in the 119 Cadet National Finals, so the competition is still going to be near the top.
Do you see yourself meeting up with Nate Moore this coming season? Would you adjust your weight in order to face him?
Just like the last question, Moore will be one of the top in the state. What weight he goes? I couldn't tell you. As for the adjusting my weight, well I heard (just speculation) that he will be up at 130. If this is so, and I’m still wrestling 119 I will do whatever is best for the team. I'd rather see us beat ICW as a team than win that match.
Are you looking forward to wrestling for your summer coach, Dan Knight? What impact do you see him having on your wrestling?
I'm real excited for Coach Knight to be there. Like I said before I have been with him going on 5 or 6 years now, and a lot of how I wrestle now was because of him. So now I hope to further my knowledge and develop my style even more.
Will you wrestle for Team Iowa next year at the Duals and Fargo? If so, what will it be like facing your friends from Team Illinois?
I don't think I will be wrestling in the Junior Duals. I don't really want to cheer against my friends. I do plan on wrestling out at Fargo, but it's going to be just the same. My friends were sometimes my competition at Fargo and it's not going to be any different. At least at Fargo I can cheer for Illinois.
I'm sure you plan to continue your wrestling career after high school. What colleges are you interested in?
As of now I am taking official visits to Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, and Purdue. I still have one official visit left and I hope to either take it to Iowa or Missouri.
What are some of your long term goals?
I plan on training out of college and trying out for both the World and Olympic teams. I am not sure on what style I want to do because I really like the new greco rules and they fit my greco style very well. So hopefully I have a long future in front of me.
Stay tuned for more Illinois Matmen Q&A sessions....