Monticello's Logan McQuillen Wins 'Athlete Of The Week'

By Scott Saville, TV9 Sports

Monticello's Logan McQuillen raises his arm in victory as he is presented to the audience after winning his class 2A 160 lbs. championship match against Mount Vernon's Trey Ryan at 2013 Iowa High School Athletic Association's state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Liz Martin/Gazette-KCRG)

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By Grant Burkhardt

Story Created: Feb 21, 2013 at 11:44 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2013 at 11:44 PM CDT

Monticello's Logan McQuillen beat Mount Vernon's Trey Ryan to win the 160-pound state wrestling tournament this past Saturday, and he is this week's KCRG-TV9 "Athlete of the Week." The award is sponsored by Cedar Rapids Toyota Scion. Below is the story from McQuillen's big win.

DES MOINES – The message was simple, yet so true.

“You are a state champion,” was voiced by a member of the Monticello coaching staff to senior Logan McQuillen after he claimed the 160-pound title Saturday night during the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

McQuillen (43-5) was all smiles while climbing to the top step of the podium, too. He had plenty to enjoy, becoming the Panthers’ first state champion in his first state tournament appearance. McQuillen scored a takedown with five seconds left to beat Mount Vernon’s Trey Ryan, 4-2.

“It is unbelievable,” said McQuillen, jumping into Monticello Coach Ryan Luensman’s arms to celebrate. “All my hard work paid off. Even with all the disappointments I’ve had it makes it all worth it.”

He just missed a takedown moments earlier, but it gave him confidence. He saw 17 seconds left on the clock, received some advice from coaches and went to work.

“I wasn’t going to stop and let go for nothing,” McQuillen said. “I was going to finish it.”

McQuillen’s run was highlighted by beating the top-two ranked wrestlers at his weight. Unranked McQuillen beat Albia’s No. 2 Brett Leshen, 8-2, in the quarterfinals before meeting the top-ranked Ryan.

“I always knew I should have been here (at state),” McQuillen said. “In the offseason, I went to all the big tournaments I could to prepare myself.”

When the last seconds elapsed, McQuillen had only one way to describe it.

“Pure joy,” he said.

Ryan finished 42-2 and became the Mustangs first state runner-up since his older brother, Jacob, was a finalist at 160 in 2007.

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