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Coach Bob Noall and the Southeast wrestling team celebrate senior Gene Smith's last second victory, which secured a 35-33 win over defending PTC County Division champion Rootstown.
GARRETTSVILLE, Ohio – The Southeast Pirates -- the new kids on the block in the County Division of the Portage Trail Conference -- put a large feather in their cap Thursday by knocking off defending champion Rootstown 35-33 in a triangular match which also included host Garrettsville Garfield.
It took Southeast senior Gene Smith every last bit of six minutes to dispatch Rootstown's Kyle Tayler 11-10 as time ran out. The last 20 seconds of the match had enough drama for the entire meet.
Tayler took a 10-9 lead with a takedown, setting the stage for a reversal by Smith, which closed out the 120-pound thriller and decided the dual meet.
“If I don’t give up I never lose, I just have to keep that faith,” Smith said. “I took every opportunity I got. My technique is don’t stop moving and don’t give up.
“I’m not the most athletic person, but I just try to focus. I stayed focused and I kept moving.”
The closing moments of Smith’s victory weren’t the first time the Pirates appeared on the verge of defeat, as Rootstown began the meet with victories by Tarrenn Lowell (pin), Manny Todd (decision), Marco Oliver (decision) and Ryan Zoller (decision).
Rootstown led 15-6 after giving a forfeit at 145.
When Rover heavyweight Jake Moore pinned David Krauss, it gave Rootstown a 33-22 lead with just three bouts remaining.
After earning six points with a Rover forfeit at 106, Southeast needed to be perfect with seniors Zach Gibson and Smith. Gibson delivered an 11-3 major decision over Tyler Hilliard, before Smith’s heroics.
“It ended up being a heck of a match,” Southeast coach Bob Noall said. “They wrestled a great match, give credit where it’s due, but our guys fought back.
“Gene Smith is one of those kids that comes and works hard every day in practice. He’s gutsy.”
Rootstown’s Manny Todd and Southeast’s Dalton Todd at 132 engaged in what would have been the match of the night on any other Thursday.
Tied at 15-15 at the start of the third period, Manny Todd took a 20-18 lead with less than 20 seconds left when Dalton Todd tied the score with six seconds to go. Time expired on the third period and the two competitors went into overtime. Just 11 seconds into the extra session Todd recorded the 22-20 victory.
Manny Todd’s victory was a teachable moment for first-year Rootstown coach Craig Wise in demonstrating to the importance of persistence and tenacity.
“We tried our bests at it. It was close right at the end and could have gone either way,” Wise said. “It was the first time nine of 12 kids made weight today and we had two kids out sick.
“Hopefully, we learn how to win the close ones -- not watch the clock in the last 10 seconds.”
Following their loss to the Pirates, the Rovers rallied to rout the G-Men 44-19. Garrettsville Garfield also lost to Southeast 57-20, as a lack of depth became too much for the Garfield to overcome. The home team had to forfeit seven matches against the Pirates and gave up five matches to Rootstown, with two double forfeits added in to make seven.
“We are getting ready for the state tournament,” Garrettsville Garfield coach Alan Harbert said. “We’ve got eight kids on the team and we’ve got a little more work to do and aren’t quite where we want to be.”
The only opponents standing between Southeast and a regular season PTC County Division title are Mogadore and Waterloo later this month.
In other Thursday wrestling action:
Buckeye strong in PAC
OBERLIN, Ohio – The Buckeye Bucks found little resistance in taking two Patriot Athletic Conference wrestling dual meets at Oberlin High School.
The Bucks crushed rival Black River 66-6 and defeated Brooklyn 41-24.
“The seniors are where they need to be for the most part,” first-year Buckeye coach Tim Maxworthy said. “The sophomores are making sophomore mistakes. The juniors are making junior mistakes.”
Jake Thayer (170), having recently cracked 100 career wins, received two forfeits for the Bucks.
Buckeye leaders Tyler Carrow (220) and Alex Sherman (160) were cited by Maxworthy after each won by forfeit and by fall.
Buckeye grapplers Brandon Nagy (120) and Kyle Fowler (126) each registered two pins.
“It’s a real nice opportunity,” Maxworthy said about coaching at his alma mater. “I’m learning about things I didn’t know I needed to learn. But, it’s really been fun.”
Highland back on track in SL
COPLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Two pins apiece from James Kunzler (132), Adam Kluk (195) and Zach Blessing (220) were paramount in Highland sweeping Suburban League duals from Green and host Copley.
Highland stopped Copley 48-29 and took advantage of two forfeits in edging Green 39-34.
The Indians managed to defeat Cloverleaf 49-27.
Tannay Shah (106), Zach Walker (138), Matt Nedolast (145) and Sam Renner (285) were all 2-0 for Copley.
“We didn’t wrestle particularly well,” Copley coach Jim Dies said. “I would have liked for us to be at full strength against Highland.”
The Hornets redeemed themselves after a 0-2 start in SL dual-meet competition.
Green topped Cloverleaf.