Then her voice was heard.

She had been shielded from the media by her coaches and arena security for two days, as had Ottumwa's Megan Black, who joined her at state this week.

"He had the right to make his own choice," Herkelman said of Northrup's decision. "It was not like it was something he didn't want to do. I knew it was an option."

The media circus, was no surprise to Herkelman, either. Although her cell phone had been confiscated by Tiger head coach Wil Kelly and her father, Bill, team members and friends kept her pretty much in the dark with what was happening around her.

She admits, however, it was hard to not to notice the extra presence.

"After districts, it was already crazy," she said. "So I knew it was going to be crazy here."

Teammate K.C. Groomes, who gave Herkelman her first pair of wrestling shoes, had this perspective on Herkelman's achievement and the experience.

"It's been crazy. It's cool," he said. "It's cool for her. I don't know if she really likes it, but hopefully she understands she is getting so much respect because it is crazy what she did."