×

THE WALK-OFF

Drake Doolittle takes 2A?120-pound state crown, caps career with 175 wins

Webster City senior Drake Doolittle celebrates after winning the Class 2A 120-pound state title Saturday night in Des Moines. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

DES MOINES — It was a smile that was years in the making, big enough for everyone packed inside Wells Fargo Arena to clearly see.

In that moment, the usually calm and reserved Webster City senior let it all out.

At 6:59 p.m. Saturday evening, with his arms raised as he surveyed his surroundings, what had been a lifelong dream finally became reality for Drake Doolittle.

He’s a state champion.

The top-ranked 120-pounder (Class 2A) wrote the final chapter in an iconic career with a Hollywood ending, as he became just the fifth Lynx grappler to attain state gold. Similar to his previous matches during the three-day state tournament, Doolittle manhandled second-ranked Nathaniel Genobana for a 9-4 victory and minutes later took his rightful spot on the top step of the podium.

Drake Doolittle (facing) jumps into the arms of Webster City head coach Chad Hisler following his 9-4 win over Centerville’s Nathaniel Genobana in the Class 2A 120-pound title bout at the state tournament Saturday night in Des Moines. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“I’m almost speechless,” Doolittle said after a round of hugs with coaches and teammates who were waiting for him just off the arena floor. “This is awesome and you can’t say it’s not. I’ve worked my whole life for this and all through high school my dream has been to be a state champ and that came true.”

Doolittle joins three-time golden boy Bart Chelesvig (1985-87), two-time winner Jamie Taxted (1996-97), Erik Stroner (1992) and Gavin Dinsdale (2016) in the WCHS champions club. He’s the first Lynx wrestler to stumble in the finals — Doolittle fell to Aden Reeves, 8-7, in the 113 title bout as a sophomore in 2017 — and then return to reach the top.

“I’ve been on the other end of this and that drove me for two years,” Doolittle, one of only two four-time state medalists in school history, said. “I wanted to get back here so bad, and to do it and end up on top, that’s awesome.”

The career numbers are second to none. Following a 43-1 senior campaign that included a win by fall over 3A state champion Carson Taylor of Fort Dodge in December, Doolittle exited the stage for the final time with school records in career wins (175), pins (114), takedowns (553) and team points scored (1,190).

He lost just 16 matches.

WCHS senior Drake Doolittle (back) elevates Centerville’s Nathaniel Genobana before returning him to the mat during the Class 2A 120-pound championship bout on Saturday in Des Moines. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Throw in the fact that he’s the Lynx only four-time North Central Conference champion and it’s impossible to not rank him among the best grapplers to ever throw on the WCHS singlet.

“I can’t say enough about the kid,” WCHS head coach Chad Hisler, who elevated Doolittle in a bear hug mat side, said afterwards. “He’s a great person … he’s the total package. I taught him from kindergarten through fourth grade and back then you knew he was a special talent.”

It took Doolittle just five seconds to assert his will against Genobana, who is now a two-time state runner-up. Doolittle attacked his right leg off the whistle and scored the first takedown 10 seconds into the bout.

And then the fireworks really began.

As Genobana got to his feet and worked to get free, Doolittle elevated and flipped him to his back as he sent the Centerville sophomore crashing to the mat. Following a three-point near fall, Doolittle led 5-0 with only 39 seconds off the clock.

Drake Doolittle gets his arm raised for the 175th time in his career Saturday night. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“I saw the opportunity and I took it,” Doolittle said. “Putting up those five points in that first period was huge because points don’t come easy in the state finals. When I got those three back points, I knew I was in the driver’s seat. I knew I was going to get it done.”

Genobana eventually worked his way back to within 6-4 midway through the third period, but got no closer. Doolittle added an escape to build his cushion back to three and then tacked on a takedown with under 20 seconds remaining to seal the deal.

Doolittle reached the championship stage following a pair of statement-making romps in the quarterfinals and semifinals on Friday.

He needed just 1:19 to dispose of ninth-ranked Kyler Dunn of Spirit Lake Park in the quarters, and approximately four hours later he mauled fourth-ranked and eventual bronze medalist Kaden Anderlik of Crestwood, 8-3. Sticking with his pre-tournament game plan of applying constant pressure, Doolittle ripped off an early takedown against Anderlik and built his lead to 4-1 after two periods. A three-point tilt in the third punched his ticket to the finals.

“If I keep my pace 100 percent and don’t give them any room to breathe, no one can wrestle with me,” Doolittle said after his semifinal win. “Attack, attack, attack, that’s everything I do. When I give it everything I’ve got, no one can stop me.”

Lynx assistant coach Tyler Patten embraces Drake Doolittle after his gold-medal win. Patten and Doolittle are the only four-time state wrestling medalists in WCHS history. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

In addition to the gold medal draped around his neck by Hisler, Doolittle also took home an oversized cardboard bracket that showed his journey through the 16-man field. In the past he’s placed all of the brackets from regular season tournaments under his bed — out of sight, out of mind.

Not this one though.

“No, this one isn’t going under the bed,” he said. “This one is going on my wall.”

And he’ll be able to smile every time he looks at it.

Drake Doolittle’s State Journey

First Round — Pinned Hunter Worthen (Union), 1:00.

Quarterfinals — Pinned Kyler Dunn (Spirit Lake Park), 1:19.

Semifinals — Dec. Kaden Anderlik (Crestwood), 8-3.

Finals — Dec. Nathaniel Genobana (Centerville), 9-4.

A look at the school records held by Drake Doolittle

•Wins: 175

•Pins: 114

•Takedowns: 553

•Team Points: 1,190

Other Drake Doolittle Notables

•Four-time state medalist: 3rd at 113 in 2016, 2nd at 113 in 2017, 5th at 120 in 2018, 1st at 120 in 2019.

•Four-time NCC champion: 113, 113, 120, 120.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.46/week.

Subscribe Today