SportsInk.com

Henline is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Feb. 26-March 4.

Randy Henline's senior year OHSAA Wrestling Championship meet did not go the way he had planned.

Carrying a 46-0 record and No. 1 seed after his Firestone District title, Henline was upset 7-6 in the opening round of the tourney on March 4 by Shane Justice of Bellevue.

For an athlete eyeing the State Finals, being thrown into the consolation bracket at the first turn was devastating. Down but not out, Henline dominated five straight opponents and placed third, the best finish he could achieve after the early loss.

The dynamic 135-pound wrestler took a four-year career mark of 192 wins and just 19 losses into the Division II state tourney and came out 197-20.

“I never think I am going to lose. Wrestling has come very natural for me,” Henline said prior to the state meet. He was a varsity wrestler for the Comets as a freshman and posted a 41-5 mark.

“My experience at Coventry has been great, I am really going to miss the school, students, and teachers next year,” said Henline, who began wrestling in second grade when his mother and father starting taking him all over the country to learn the sport. Henline won national titles in Oklahoma City and Las Vegas. “They gave me support and really guided me in the sport.”

In four state appearances, Henline has been on the podium three times, with two fifth-place finishes and one third.

“I feel my mental strength is a key for me and my physical scoring point on the mat is my ability to produce when I’m on top,” Henline said.

He already has college planned as he would like to major in sports medicine, but wrestling is not on his agenda. “I have a little burn out plus my back injury from my early years in wrestling has caught up with me,” he said.

Henline was also a standout on the football field for the Comets as a running back and safety. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2009 and scored nine touchdowns for Coventry.

Hobbies:  Hanging out with friends

TV:  Family Guy

Movie:  Forrest Gump

IPod:  “Main Attraction”

Pizza Topping:  Extra cheese