Centala takes third at state
It was another first for the Huron wrestling program as Dylan Centala became the highest freshman placer at the state finals in school history. ?We had a lot of great freshmen on this team this year, but I will have to label him our fabulous freshman,? said coach Pat Lamb, in the corridor under the stands of The Palace of Auburn Hills Saturday afternoon.
Centala (119 pounds, 52-3) lost his bid for a state championship when he lost his semifinal match to sophomore Blake Gardner of New Lothrop, 7-2. Gardner would move on and win the state title. Centala breezed through the competition with a major decision, 16-3, in his first-ever match at state, then won his 50th match of the season with a technical fall in 4:34. Those victories put him in the semifinals against Gardner.
After losing, he dropped down to the consolation bracket and took wins over Tyler Boss of Addison and Lewie Wallen of Union City for third place.
?IT REALLY shows a sign of a young man?s character when their goal has been taken from them in the semifinals or the quarterfinals, and they come back and take a third,? said Lamb. ?It would be very easy to let up and settle for fifth, sixth, or seventh, but he didn?t do that,? Lamb continued. ?He wanted to finish out on top and get the best possible place he could get. He did it in very aggressive fashion, and with a tough wrestling style.?
Junior Justin Kelley (125 pounds, 34-20) and sophomore Chris Rhode (189 pounds, 46-12) were the Hurons? other state qualifiers. Kelley, after dropping his first match, won a thrilling 2-0 match in the opening seconds of overtime. Kelley lost his second match 7-0 to Jeremy Krupp of New Lothrop, which ended his season.
?I REALLY FEEL a healthy Justin may have done things different here,? said Lamb. ?He pulled one out of his hat for a 2-0 win in overtime, and he got a taste of it. He got a taste of what it?s like to be successful down here, and he?ll be back. I can?t wait to watch next year.? Rhode lost the matches he competed in by scores of 8-1 and 3-2. Lamb believes Rhode was one of his most improved wrestlers this season, and with the experience he gained this year, he should make lots of noise in the coming years.
?Just to make it to the show as a sophomore is a major accomplishment, especially at 189,? said Lamb. ?If you look at the bracket, Chris was the only sophomore. There were no freshmen, either. Most of the kids in that bracket are graduating next year. He should have a great shot at placing, if not winning it all next year. ?Naturally as a coach you?re disappointed when any of your wrestlers lose, but as long as they lose with great effort, like Chris did, I?m very proud of the season he had.?
IN CENTALA?S semifinal match, Gardner was able to get a first period takedown, to take a one point lead, 2-1, into the middle period. Centala?s point came from an escape. Gardner scored a takedown and an escape to improve his lead to 5-1 going into the final two minutes. Another takedown for Gardner sewed up the victory for the sophomore champ. ?Going in, I thought Dylan was very confident and I had a good feeling about the match,? said Lamb. ?I think when he got down there and realized the magnitude of the match, it got to
CENTALA SAID he was a little nervous in the match Friday night. On Saturday he roared back with a solid 8-1 decision and an exciting 12-8 victory. Centala, with a 10-8 lead, was able to score the final points in the closing seconds, as coaches Lamb and Centala encouraged him to ?finish on top,? which he did, for third. The freshman received a big bear hug from coach Lamb as he left the mat.
It should be the first of three trips for Centala, who should have lots of company from his teammates next year at state. Rhode and Kelley, and solid group of wrestlers who will be sophomores next season, are hoping for a trip to The Palace.