The first injury Dodger Senior Davidson for the title round

Messenger Photo by Britt Kudla: Koy Davidson from Fort Dodge Rolls during his semi -final match at the State Tournament in Des Moines. For more photos, visit with.Messengernews.net

Des Moines – Koy Davidson, senior Fort Dodge, suffered a compression fracture at his T4 through T8 vertebrae during his semi -final match at the State Fighting Tournament on Friday, and the senior star was excluded for the championship round of this evening.

After the palpitating folk at 144 kilograms with Jahkari Clark from West des Moines Valley, Davidson learned about injury.

“Koy was obviously crushed,” said the head coach of FDSH, Bobby Thompson. “No one wants to go out. He is a final competitor and is shown after it happened in that match. It’s just devastating.

“This is a close group of children who were there for each other through ascents and downs. I’m sure it’s really devastating to everyone to hear them too. But we love Koy, and his safety is the number one priority. “

Davidson, who won the match in the semifinal to reach the 144 kilograms on Saturday night, closes his career with 145 victories.

In the match with Clark, the rivals entered a wild grin, while Davidson was trying to avoid a withdrawal.

“It hurts. It will sting a long time,” Thompson said. “We are not sure when it happened exactly, but it could have been when it was returned to the carpet or during the scramble.

“You realize that he still fought in the first 30 seconds when it was down and then Clark was down. He took care of the pain as best as he could. “

The recruit of the Oregon State University was only the sixth Dodger who became three times in school history.

“Doctors said that recovery will be sufficient to cure injury (without operation), as long as I did not push it (Saturday)”, “ Thompson said. “Only rest and no intense activity would help the process, but it will take some time.”

Thompson always looked at the Dodger program as a family, and with the injury, it was even more obvious.

“It is not a cliché when I talk about how these guys are my children and we will always be there for each other.” Thompson said. “They are more than athletes and fighters. And they are not just teammates, they are brothers.

“It shows when (now three times champion) Dreshaun (Ross) cares more about Koy’s matches than his. He is more excited for his teammates and this is not an exaggeration. Last year, when he and Damarion were in the final and won it, he was happier to him than his own (title). “

Dodger culture showed in the semifinal round on Friday.

“These children are special”, Thompson said. “We attribute it to the community and family we built together. It takes time and trust. I know they can call or send messages to coaches and I at any time.

“The guys who are now a coach, such as (former Fort Dodge state fields) Drew Bennett, Sam Cook and Triston Lara, were delighted with Koy before his match and made a point and talk. . They are all Dodgers, even if and when they are with other programs. “

In the past four years, Davidson has been a main element in the FDSH program. He placed in second place as Boboc, the fourth in his campaign above, and was a champion and a runner as a higher classes.

Davidson finished eighth on the list of winnings of all time with a final high school record of 145-19.

“Koy is with me for a long time,” Thompson said. “I am in his corner as long as I met him. Talk about how fast the time passes.

“I just talked about how this last state tournament was and that he wanted to go out with a brace. It is very difficult, aiming to go through it and process everything. “

Davidson was scheduled to fight Justis Jesuroga in southeast Polk in pursuing a second state gold. He could sit on the podium on Saturday night to receive the silver medal.

Davidson won his first two matches through technical fall and decision.

The match in Davidson’s semi -final was the discussion of the tournament, as it was last year in the finals, when it had a crazy and withdrawn expansion to refuse Carter Freeman from the fourth state championship.

A year ago, Davidson’s efforts brought him the honors from the tournament.

“Every time Koy steps on the carpet, it is a delight,” Thompson said. “He is always positive and is a harsh competitor. That is why it is so interesting to follow.

“He is Fort Dodge … He goes there to throw down and give him everything. This is a really difficult way to come out, but do not shadow everything that is done as a Dodger. “