The first time wrestling coach Clar Anderson saw Chris Heckel compete, he decided he had seen enough of Heckel. Heckel, then a freshman, had just manhandled a tough wrestler from N.C. State, where Anderson was working as an assistant coach.
Three years later, Anderson wishes he could see Heckel around forever.
In his five years at Duke, the senior from Cave Creek, Ariz., has left an indelible impression as one of the feistiest and finest wrestlers ever to compete for the Blue Devils. In fact, Anderson believes Heckel has a good shot at becoming the first All-American wrestler in Duke history.
"Chris has the ability to wrestle with the best guys in the nation," Anderson said. "My job is to convince him that he's better than what he thinks he is. I think he's an All-American for sure."
Heckel will take that first step toward achieving All-American status, an honor awarded to the top eight wrestlers in the nation in each weight class, this weekend at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships at Duke.
Reaching the conference finals at the 126-pound weight class would assure Heckel entry into the NCAA Tournament held in Cleveland, Ohio. After advancing to the NCAAs his sophomore year, Heckel fell one win short of All-American distinction last year. A premature exit at the ACCs, however, could mean the end of Heckel's wrestling career.
"I'm really trying not to think about [my final ACCs], but it's in the back of my head. I know this is it for me," Heckel said. "In years past, I've been sort of nervous going into the ACCs, but this year, there are no nerves.
"I'm sort of past that point. I'm just excited about going out there and wrestling, because it is my last time. I would definitely [be disappointed] if I don't make nationals."
Heckel would have good cause to be disappointed. He has compiled a 27-7 record this season with six pins. In ACC competition, he has gone 3-1, with his only loss coming in a 9-6 decision against North Carolina's C.C. Fisher. Last Tuesday, Heckel rebounded by dominating the only ACC wrestler to defeat Fisher this year, N.C. State's Tommy Davis.
Another reason why Heckel would be disappointed: the ambience of the NCAAs is a far cry from that of the average dual meet in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
"[The NCAAs] are at a higher level and some people respond differently to that intensity," Heckel said. "You come back from there, you have a different perspective on wrestling.
"A lot of these kids have been wrestling for 13 or 14 years, and the reason they wrestle is to get to that level. You see the joy and excitement on these people's faces, and it's so overwhelming."
One Duke wrestler who has never experienced the NCAA Tournament, but who has aspirations of doing so, is junior Matt Mapes. Competing in the 167-lb. division, Mapes has been nearly flawless this season, going 15-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference. His only loss came in a 6-3 decision to another UNC wrestler, Dan Calhoun, while Mapes was recovering from the flu.
"I think this is my year to go to the nationals," Mapes said. "With a 3-1 record, I feel if I don't make it to nationals this year, it'll be a disappointment.
"I feel as strong as I can get; I feel there shouldn't be anybody that should beat me. It all comes down to the tournament. You can't hold anything back, you just have to go seven hard minutes."
Mapes' record stands even more impressive in light of his late entrance into the wrestling conditioning program. He spends the fall as a placekicker on the football team, backing up Sims Lenhardt. This season, Mapes saw limited duty on extra points and kickoffs.
"Going into high school, I'd say wrestling was more important," Mapes said. "Once I went through high school, I'd say football probably jumped ahead of wrestling in importance. So it's a difficult choice, but if I had to do it all over again, I think I would've... chosen one sport.
"I think I could definitely be a Division I kicker, but I'm behind the third-best kicker in the nation. During football [season]... wrestling is just like, whatever. But during wrestling season, I'm like, 'Wrestling's awesome, I love wrestling, who cares about football?' If I wanted to give up one sport, in the long run, it probably would be wrestling."
Anderson, in particular, is delighted that Mapes has stuck with wrestling. Both Anderson and Heckel agree that if Mapes had committed all of his time to wrestling, his prowess would be frightening.
"As a coach, I appreciate Matt and his abilities and his desire to be a football player and a wrestler," Anderson said. "I believe that he has lost some due to being on the football field in the first semester, [since] that's specifically when we cover a lot of technique. He has to play catch-up, but he plays catch-up very well.
"I want what's best for Matt Mapes. As a coach, it's easy to get selfish and say, 'I want all of your time,' because we'd love to have him out all year."
For the time being, Anderson will have to settle for having only Heckel the entire year, and all things considered, that's not half bad.
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