‘I feel like it’s destiny’

NEW LONDON — The week leading up to the state tournament can be taxing for a high school wrestler. In between the high of clinching a state spot in districts and the intensity of the tournament itself the following weekend, is a time for waiting, and preparation.

But this year, there is an extra buzz around New London High School, where senior star Marcel Lopez gets ready for one of the most pressure-packed trips of his high school career.

When the Class 1A 126-pound bracket plays out over the weekend, Iowa State wrestling history will be in the balance. With a title on Saturday night, Lopez would become just the 30th wrestler in state history to win four state championships.

“Right after I won my third, it was running through my mind,” Lopez said before heading to the New London wrestling room on Tuesday evening. “It’s not bothering me or stressing me out too much. I just have to go out there and wrestle.”

As a freshman, Lopez won a title at 106 pounds. One year later, at 113. Last year, Lopez polished off his third state title, at 120.

“I feel like I’ve improved tremendously,” Lopez said. “I feel like I’ve gotten better in pretty much every position.”

Lopez says he considers this year his best ever, and it’s not hard to see why. He enters the state tournament a perfect 51-0.

The SIU-Edwardsville commit credits the New London wrestling program for much of his success.

“If I went anywhere else, I wouldn’t have been able to succeed the way I did,” said Lopez. “I felt comfortable coming in as a freshman, I performed well my freshman year, and that has just propelled me to where I am now.”

Coach Mark Chiri’s squad has four wrestlers headed to Des Moines, including Lopez’ younger brother Dominic, who has his own state championship dreams after a third-place finish last season.

But even with all the area athletes competing, all eyes seem to be on the three-time state champion. That’s not enough, however, to make a mark on his confidence.

“I could see where the nerves would come from, because there’s a lot of pressure,” Lopez said. “But I don’t have any nerves right now.”

Lopez’ first match on Thursday will be against freshman Garrett Cole of Van Meter, one of the many underdogs found within the 126-pound bracket. There are also some big names, including third-ranked Quincy Happel of Lisbon, who would be a potential semifinal opponent for Lopez after Lopez got the best of him at districts.

On the other side of the bracket are second-ranked Cameron Clark of West Sioux, Hawarden and fourth-ranked Jace Rose of Riverside-Oakland. Like Lopez, Clark, Hawarden and Rose are all seniors. Clark and Rose tallied fourth-place finishes in last year’s state tournament.

“I know everybody who is in that bracket,” said Lopez. “I’ve watched a couple of their matches, and I know what I need to do.”

And if he does what he needs to do, Lopez will etch his name into high school wrestling history, accomplishing a feat that is a often a pipe dream in the ever-competitive sport of high school wrestling.

“It's something you don't see very often,” said Lopez. “I feel like it's destiny.”