National news: Iowa standout wrestler refuses to face girl in state tournament

(Cedar Falls' Cassy Herkelman, center, and her opponent Joel Northrup, center left, of Linn-Mar High, stand at the scorers table during the Iowa State wrestling tournament. Northrup, who was one of the favorites to win his weight class defaulted on his first-round state tournament match rather than face Herkelman, one of the first girls to ever qualify for the event -- Associated Press/Steve Pope)

An interesting national story here. A standout wrestler in Iowa gave up the chance to go for state gold when he defaulted so he wouldn't have to wrestle a girl.

Here's what the wrestler, Joel Northrup, had to say:

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," said Northrup. "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa."

What do you think readers?