After what has seemed for half a lifetime, the much anticipated 2017 Iowa high school wrestling tournament officially commences today.

There will be two wrestlers representing the ADM Tiger brand of wrestling in Andrew Flora (106 lbs) and Nolan Harsh (138 lbs), both of which make it back to the big dance for the second straight season. Flora enters the state tournament as the 8th ranked  106 lb wrestler in class 2A wielding a record of  45-5. Nolan Harsh joins Flora as he makes his way through the 138 lb weight class yielding a record of 34-8.

Both wrestlers have improved a lot in just a year’s worth of time and have developed their won unique styles which both expressed to Raccoon Valley Radio. Nolan Harsh described his style as funky yet effective,

“I’d say funky. Scrambles I love them. My coaches may get mad whenever someone shoots in but I like being close to the person, I don’t like getting away. I just feel really comfortable in there. I just like doing stuff that no one’s going to see coming,” explained Harsh.

Andrew Flora meanwhile feels the best aspect of his games riles with him on his feet.

“On my feet I feel very strong and very tough to take down. I just like to push the pace especially (in) neutral and getting the first take down and setting the tone early. Definitely on my feet for sure, just being positive, being the aggressor, knowing I can do it and then on top just having confidence,” explained Flora.

One thing that both wrestlers emphasized was how they felt their regular season schedule helped them prepare for the state tournament as expressed by Andrew Flora.

“For sure it was just crazy especially some of the tournaments we went to like Urbandale. Good eye openers knowing where we set within weight class 1A, 2A, 3A, the Winterset tournament was tough. It just helps you know where you stand. It just really helps you get ready and prepared and if you loose, what you need to work on for sectionals and districts,” explained Flora.

Both Flora and Harsh will commence with wrestling action when class 2A commences their portion of the evening tonight beginning at 6:00 pm.