DES MOINES — Although it took them a little bit of time to realize it, Newton senior Derrick Hurt and junior Ray Schroder decided they would like to stick around Wells Fargo Arena for a little bit longer.

The two Cardinals were defeated in their first-ever matches at the state wrestling meet on Thursday, but recovered in the first round of consolations to extend their stay in Des Moines by at least one more morning.

“It really is an experience, so it kind of took a while for me just to realize I was really here,” Hurt said. “The nerves really did kick in, especially (Wednesday) when I got here. But after I stepped on the mat, they went away.”