Iowa wrestler won't take on girl at state tourney, forfeits match; 'I think C.C. Weber would like a shot at this guy'

Cassy Herkelman (center) and Joel Northrup (left) talk with officials at the scorer's table on Thursday. (AP)

Joel Northrup, a home-schooled Pentecostalist and standout sophomore wrestler who was 35-4 for Linn-Mar High School this season, wouldn't wrestle his first-round opponent, Cedar Falls freshman Cassy Herkelman or Ottumwa sophomore Megan Black, the first two girls to make the Iowa state wrestling tournament.

His school issued the following statement:

"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."

As of midnight Thursday, almost 3000 people had commented on this story on ESPN's website. Apart from predictable rants along the lines of  "Kid is being forced to sacrifice his wrestling aspirations because of his conscience" and "Kid is scared he'll get beat by a girl," there were more nuanced reflections, like these:

fergybro1 says: February 17, 2011, 12:1 AM ET
Isn't there a difference between striking a women in anger and playing against a women by her choice on an athletic field? He doesn't need to embarass, degrade or hurt her to win. If he's raised on the principles of respecting women, then he should wrestle, he wouldn't be doing anything wrong. Instead he's sending a mixed message "i respect women too much to compete against them in an official competion which she legitimately qualified for."

runbroncorun says: February 17, 2011, 11:57 AM ET
I'm a former state champion in Michigan and wrestled several girls throughout my career. Who cares if women partipate or not? Is it more correct for two young boys to roll around than a boy and a girl? you go out on the mat and you compete...end of story. I think C.C. Weber would like a shot at this guy...