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119 motivation, you can get down about it, but it motivates me to do more in the practice room or whatever it takes to beat that guy the next time. "When (a loss) happens in the finals it's that (feeling) multiplied by 10. It gives you something to strive for; you know you came up short and you came so close, so you know you have to do everything you did in the past and then some." Brewer, a senior, and Clark, are 1-2 in preseason rankings at 133 by InterMat. Clark spent most of the summer in Iowa City, working on his own, sparring with World Team members, and assisting with camps. He didn't let his skills "go down" as much in the summer, meaning Clark will be in "game shape" earlier this season. "I'm a lot sharper and very close to where I ended the season," Clark said. "I'm not as rusty, I'm seeing things, and my timing is there." Brands likes that Clark is a workhorse when he steps on the mat. "e quality I like most about him is that when he is in the wrestling room and training, he is serious business," Brands said. "He has had to win some tough, tough matches by being tough." Clark has succeeded in transitioning from an elite high school wrestler to one of the best in college. He credits Hawkeye coaches and teammates for helping him see the value of wrestling when tired and being skilled on top, bottom, neutral, and in scrambles. His primary sparring partner is Gilman. Aer a somewhat adversarial first two seasons in the room, the two are aiming for the top of the NCAA podium at different weights. "He is one of my favorite people to practice with because I know I'm going to get the most out of that day," Clark said. "If I'm going with Gilman it's going to be a good workout whether I'm having a good day, bad day, or if he is having a good day, bad day. Either way, just the way we're wired, whether we're sick or feeling awesome, we're going to force ourselves to wrestle well." Clark has come a long way since second grade when he watched another competitor strut out of the gymnasium with the coveted four-foot trophy. Ironically, that other competitor was Gilman. "He helped me back then and he helps me now," Clark said. Cory Clark reaches for the ankle of Maryland's Tyler Goodwin during a dual on Nov. 20 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Clark won by fall in 4:06 and the Hawkeyes won the Big Ten Conference dual, 36-9. (Photo by Darren Miller)