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117 C ory Clark was in second grade with eyes on a four-foot wrestling trophy, a symbol of dominance that stood taller than he did at the time. All Clark needed to do that day was continue his undefeated career and come out on top of a four- man bracket. He lost. Life can be cruel, but Clark turned it in to a learning opportunity and found light from a dark moment. "at was a turning point in my wrestling (career), because I didn't really train that hard," Clark said. "I was beating kids, but I didn't have any technique. I just gritted it out." In elementary school, Clark was a tornado on the mat, gnashing his teeth and mean-mugging opponents before the opening whistle, then relying on headlocks for success. at changed aer his first defeat. "I needed to learn some technique," Clark said. He imitated his idols — Centerville's T.J. Sebolt, a four-time state champion, Dan Gable, the Brands brothers, Brent Metcalf — and looked for leg attacks while learning the art of wrestling rather than winning with brute force. Aer eighth grade, Clark, a native of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, dropped all other sports and embraced the summer wrestling circuit. He won four state championships for Southeast Polk (103 pounds in 2009, 112 in 2010, 119 in 2011, and 126 in 2012) while compiling a record of 179-1. "I wanted to be the best wrestler I could be and high school is when I tuned all into wrestling," Clark said. UI head wrestling coach Tom Brands noticed. "e kid can flat-out wrestle and he loves wrestling," Brands said. A Hawkeye fan, Clark signed with the University of Iowa. He spent the 2012-13 season redshirting with two-time NCAA champion Matt McDonough in the varsity lineup. Clark went 20-2 competing unattached, including a 6-1 decision over Jesse Delgado of Illinois, who won the national title at 125 in 2013. As a redshirt freshman in 2013-14, Clark and omas Gilman shared time at 125. An 8-0 dual record helped give Clark the postseason nod over Gilman and he finished 22-4 overall, fourth in the Big Ten Tournament, and fih at NCAAs to earn his first All-America award. Last season Clark moved up a weight class to 133 while Gilman solidified the spot at 125. Clark went 30-6, placing third at conference and runner-up at nationals. He was named the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler for the Hawkeyes. "When you're a fan, you don't get up and go get your ice cream during Cory Clark's match, that's for dang sure," Brands said. "I think Cory Clark is right there with the best in the history of this program, he is that good." Iowa shared the Big Ten Conference title with Ohio State in 2015, but the Buckeyes scored 18 more points at the NCAA Championships, leaving Iowa as runner-up. You can imagine what is on Clark's mind this season. "National title," he said. "Every year I feel we're capable of winning a national team title and this year I feel the same. In order to do that, we all have to want to be individual national champions." Like the team, Clark was so close to his weight division's top prize in 2015. He was victorious in his final two conference bouts — 8-2 over No. 8 Zane Richards of Illinois and 2-1 over No. 11 Johnni DiJulius of Ohio State. Clark reached the NCAA finals by reeling off wins against Ronald Perry of Lock Haven (7-5), Rossi Bruno of Michigan (12-4), Earl Hall of Iowa State (7-1), and Jimmy Gulibon of Penn State (7-5). Under the spotlight on an elevated stage at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Clark fell behind 11-5 to Oklahoma's Cody Brewer and lost, 11-8. "It is fuel to the fire like any loss, but it's a lot bigger than any loss," Clark said. "Any loss is really