By STEPHEN GLOVER

For the Call

Mark Nothum is an example of how far you can go in life when you apply hard work and dedication.

Nothum was the lone member of the Mehlville Senior High wrestling team to reach the state tournament last weekend at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. The senior grappler started out as a freshman with no experience, head coach Joe Fisch told the Call, and found himself in the state tournament.

“Mark came into the program as a freshman with no experience,” Fisch said. “He’s worked really hard in the offseason and it’s no accident that the kid that works the hardest in the offseason goes to state.”

Nothum, who wrestles at 160 pounds, opened the first round at the state tournament with a 12-2 major decision, losing to junior Sean Dietz of DeSmet.

“It was a close match going into the middle of the second period,” Fisch explained. “Dietz pulled a five-point reversal on him with about 40 seconds left in the second and when you get down by that much, it’s hard to come back. But Mark never gave up in the match.”

The loss to Dietz moved Nothum to the consolation bracket where he faced senior David Sanders of Liberty in a 6-2 loss.

“It’s never easy at state as far as any opponents go,” Fisch explained. “I still think that he did a good job this season and it’s always good to have your guys going down to the state tournament. It shows the younger guys where they need to be.”

Nothum finished the season with a record of 23-15 overall with a fourth place finish at the district championships earlier this month.