DES MOINES - One day you celebrate your first state tournament victory.
The next you secure a state medal.
Easy to see why Landon Bell is excited for Day 3 as he attempts to become Iowa City Liberty's first finalist.
Fifth-seeded Bell turned to a cheering section with his arms extended to briefly revel his win over Linn-Mar's No. 4 Philip Jacobs in the 175-pound quarterfinals of the Class 3A boys' state wrestling tournament Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena. He secured a top-six finish and became the school's second semifinalist.
"Now, we have to go let it fly," Bell said. "We'll just keep building on this and get on top of that podium."
Former teammate, Vinny Lima, reached the 215 semifinals last season. Bell is a three-time state qualifier but bowed out at 0-2 each of the last two seasons. He said he has blocked out distractions and only focused on his match. Many factors have produce success this year.
"I love him as much as I love my son," Liberty Coach Fred Lima said. "He comes to work every day. He's kind. He always gives you his best effort. He never misses practice. He always yes to every opportunity. He treats people well and respects his parents.
"He's everything you could draw up in a young man. On top of that, he's a three-sport athlete. He gets good grades and does everything right. He just bought in to what we're doing. ... "
As Bell and Lima approached the tunnel to leave the arena floor, they stopped and shared a hug. Bell said he's on a quest for his coaches as much as himself.
"It was a special moment," Bell said. "Just to share that with him. He's always been there for me no matter what. He's always supported me in training. One of the best coaches I've had in anything."
Bell (24-4) captured the rubber match with Jacobs, who pinned Bell in their first meeting on Jan. 16. This match contrasted with the wild 21-13 major decision by Bell in the Mississippi Valley Conference semifinals on Feb. 1. Bell controlled the ties, hence controlling the match with takedowns in the first two periods for a 7-2 decision.
The further you go up the bracket the guy with the better basics usually prevails," said Lima, praising Jacobs for his strength and penchant for big moves. "No disrespect to anybody else but we felt he had the best basics."
Bell will face Johnston's No. 1 Jacob Helgeson (32-1) with a finals berth at stake.
"It's going to be a tough match no matter what," Bell said. "Just stay in good position and score some more points."
Cedar Rapids Prairie endured a roller coaster of emotions in Thursday's session. They advanced two into the semifinals, but one might have come at great expense. Following Chase Watkinson's 7-3 decision over Fort Dodge's Trace Rial, No. 6 seed Dylan Munson took the mat against Council Bluffs Lewis Central's Weston Porter.
Porter scored an early takedown and attempted a second. He had Munson's leg elevated and Munson countered, coming off his feet and pressuring with all his weight. Porter attempted to bring to the mat and Munson landed on his head and neck. Porter was disqualified when Munson was unable to continue.
"It was just a weird situation," Prairie Coach Derick Ball said. "The position was weird. Things like that can happen in this sport."
Munson was immediately tended to by medical personnel, showing movement in his hands and legs. He was placed on a stabilizing board and left the arena floor on a stretcher after an extended delay
Munson underwent testing at a hospital and was alert and talking, according to Ball.
"Dylan is as tough as they come," Ball said. "We're all praying for him and hoping everything works out for the best."
As for Watkinson, he scored seven straight points to earn a medal in his first state tournament.
"He got what he deserved to get," Ball said. "I'm proud of him."
"He has come into his own. Last year, we maybe was in the shadows a little bit. This year, he's earned the right to be the guy."
Cedar Rapids Xavier Jean Ngoma remained unbeaten with a 6-0 win over Iowa City High's Raphael Etuma at 215. Ngoma captured his second straight state medal, moving into the top six and improving on last year's seventh-place finish.
"This is good," Ngoma said. "I've been working for this all year. Now that I'm here I just have to keep working. I'm not done yet."
Xavier Coach Ryan Chambers said Ngoma has worked hard in the weight room during the offseason and has developed "amazing" confidence in his wrestling skills.
"This is a business trip for him and his focus is razor sharp, right now," Chambers said. "Last year he was seventh (but) this year he set his sights on the top spot.
"He has come a long way since his freshman year. he does anything coaches ask of him. We would run through a wall if he knew it would make his wrestling better. His parents raised a great one with a lot of potential."
Third-seeded Ngoma (37-0) will face Southeast Polk's No. 2 Holden Hansen (35-3) Friday. Ngoma said he has prepared well for this moment, relying on a pre-match workout with Saints assistant Logan Andeway. Ngoma said he feels his perform is peaking, outscoring his first two foes by a total of 22-1.
"I'm always thinking I'm the best on the mat," Ngoma said. "It doesn't matter who I wrestle. I'm always out there ready to go. Next match up."
Iowa City West duo of Alexander Pierce (113) and 150-pounder Justin Avila reached the semifinals. No. 2 Pierce beat Waverly-Shell Rock's Kipton Lewis, 13-2, while Avile blanked Indianola's Elijah Blewitt, 4-0.
Iowa City High's No. 3 Kendall Kurtz beat Dallas Center-Grimes' Avery Van Zelderen, 12-5, at 120. Kurtz moved into the top six and is assured of his best placing, getting eighth a year ago.