Three's company

DES MOINES —  Saturday night was the swan song for Chase Shiltz on the wrestling mat.

Shiltz made sure his final appearance donning a singlet for Creston/Orient-Macksburg was one of the most memorable.

Shiltz joined exclusive company in the rich history of Creston/Orient-Macksburg wrestling with an 11-3 win over Ballard, Huxley’s Ben Lee at Wells Fargo Arena.

Shiltz is only the third three-time champion in Panther history. Jake Marlin, who won four, and Andrew Long are the others.

Like so many matches throughout his career, there was nothing flashy or exuberant about the way Shiltz went about his business.

It was steady, workmanlike.

Dominating.

“It’s bittersweet,” Shiltz said. “Going out of my wrestling career with my third state title was pretty sweet, so I’m really excited about it.”

The humble, unassuming superstar walked over to coach Darrell Frain, assistants Cody Downing, Casey Tanner, Eric Ehlen and teammates assembled in the front row just behind the mat. He hugged each one, thanking them for their support and help along the way.

“My teammates and my coaches — it definitely takes a lot to get there, all the time they’ve put in, my family put it,” Shiltz said. “It’s just all coming together. Every single one of them have had a part in my wrestling success. All the coaches together, they made me.”

Each win meant much, with Saturday’s right up there.

“The first one was awesome coming back after getting second my freshman year,” Shiltz said. “This one is pretty awesome.”

Marlin’s run to four titles served as motivation for Shiltz, something he told the sold out crowd at Wells Fargo Arena after in an interview with former Des Moines Register wrestling writer Dan McCool.

“Marlin was one of the best wrestlers ever to come through Creston,” Shiltz said. “He really set the standard for the program, a goal for everyone to reach. I came up just short, but I’m pretty happy with it.”

Shiltz took control early, grabbing a 2-0 lead after the first period thanks to a takedown.

Shiltz picked up an escape and three more takedowns in the second, with two escapes given up, for a 9-2 lead after two.

Lee escaped to start the third, but Shiltz added another takedown for the final margin.

Shiltz approached the state championship match like he did the first one of the season at Interstate 35.

“You can’t really dictate what the match is going to be like beforehand,” Shiltz said. “Anything can happen up here, so I just went in like every other match, a regular dual and took it one point at a time.”

Walking off the mat one final time, receiving one final medal from head coach Darrell Frain was special, if not surreal.

Shiltz now turns his sights toward this fall when he will join the powerful Northwest Missouri State football program.

“I’m not sure when it will set it, but when it does it will hit me, but I’m satisfied with my wrestling career,” Shiltz said, “but I’m ready to go move on to football.”