Randle takes 7th in Nationals
By Rick Henly on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 |
Huntington North's Logan Randle recently traveled south to wrestle in the NHSCA Senior Wrestling Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
His journey began years ago when he began wrestling but this particular event would prove to be the best ever. Not knowing what was in store, we began heading to Virginia Beach on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. It was a long 14 hour drive through some of God’s very beautiful country. We spent the night in Beckley, Virginia and got up early the next morning to travel straight to the Virginia Beach Convention Center for weigh ins. But took a detour for Logan to see the VMI campus where he would like to go to college.
The crowd was amazing, some 680 wrestlers with 840 state titles, including fourteen 4 time state champions from 47 states all in line for check in and then up the stairs to weigh in. Logan waited in line and then went through the door and found out he was 116 which is 1 lb. over the limit. He asked me to go to the car and get his sweats and jacket. I went to the car and picked up my fleece jacket and pants for him because I new he needed to do some serious sweating. He ran, did set ups, push ups and warm ups for about 40 min. then he stripped down and checked his weight. He was now between 0 and .2 lbs over. He said to me “I am going to get in line and weigh in again and hope the guy accepts the weight”. When he was done, he said that the scale kept going from 0 to .2lb over back and forth so the referee let him in. Wow, Logan Randle was officially in the hunt for a national ranking for him, his school Huntington North High School and his state.
While all this was taking place, I decided to register as Logan’s coach so he would have someone who cared at mat side for him. I signed up as his coach and went to the mat in every match offering my ideas and experience as I remember it back when I wrestled.
Wrestling would begin on Friday, March 26 with Logan’s first match at about 10:45 AM. His first comment to me when he started warming up for his match was “why do I always get the short kids who are ripped?” I said “to give you something to work hard for.”
FIRST MATCH
The first wrestler he met on the mat was Victor Ekpenyong from CT. His record was 3rd, 2nd, 1st and 1st in state competition for the past four years. A two time state champion, wow what a challenge. Not to mention that this kid was well built and looked very strong.
Logan stepped on the mat, went through his routine, slapped his legs, arms and chest and approached the center ring ready to go. He was in his zone and eager to get the match started as he was throughout the tournament. He was ready to take numbers this time after being disappointed in his performance at State.
The match began with exchanges of slaps and “feeling” each other out. Logan got the first take down for two and then Victor switched and the match was all tied. That ended the first period. Second period began with grappling for positions then Victor took down Logan followed closely by an escape by Logan. The score was now 4 to 3. Logan then got a take down and went ahead 5 four with Victor getting a reverse leading 6 to 5. He then got behind Logan and gave him the biggest bear hug he had ever had and he felt it. As that period ended, Logan requested some injury time to gather himself, I went over to make sure he was okay and he said “man that was a bear hug!”.
Going into the third round, with that score Logan was down and Victor kept him there for several seconds until Logan escaped which tied the score at 6 ending regulation time. Overtime started with both players in neutral position. There was some grappling and then Logan shot and worked around grabbing Victor’s legs securing the victory at 8 – 6.
Logan was tired but very happy he won and so were his Grandmother and Grandfather (coach). He went out in the commons and laid down to rest and allow his abdomen to recoup. He would have two more matches that day.
SECOND MATCH
The second wrestler Logan faced was Matthew Correa from CA. Matthew did not place in state the first two years and then placed 6th and 7th his junior and senior years.
Logan began as always after about an hours worth of warm ups. The match began with each wrestler feeling each other out, grappling, locking up and throwing each other several times without a score. Second period began with Logan on top riding as he often does very close to his opponent and keeping him down. Then, all of a sudden, Matthew built his base, stood up and broke Logan’s grip and scored one point to end the second period. The third period began with Logan down and Matthew riding him hard. Logan would eventually escape tying the match. The match ended up going into triple OT with Logan winning 2-1.
THIRD MATCH
The third match came up suddenly and Logan did not have a full hour to warm up. That match was with David White from PA who had a record of NP-7-5-1 in state competition the past four years.
Logan started out shooting and trying to score but David countered his every move. David was a smart wrestler and seemed to know what Logan was going to do each time and had a counter ready. This match ended in the second period with a fall at 3:13 - That was the first time Logan was pinned in the past three years and it hurt. Logan was very disappointed in himself and I was wondering if he would come out of it. We were blessed in that he would not wrestle his fourth match until Saturday giving him time to think and get rested. He was very exhausted at this point.
FOURTH & FIFTH MATCHES
We started the consolation bracket by wrestling Drew Mills from UT who had a record of NP-5-1-3 in state competition in the past four years. This match would end up being Logan’s easiest match. Not than any of them were easy. Every match was one you had to be prepared for and Logan assured me that he was ready.
Logan ended up winning this match with a 9-1 score to move into the “All American” bracket where he would end up losing one more match to Ben Willeford from LA who had a record of 3-1-1-1 in state competition the past four years. Logan couldn’t get it going on this wrestler. He was strong and very much a challenge for Logan. He lost 3-0 setting up his final match for 7th place.
SIXTH & FINAL MATCH
Logan was ready. He had a good nights sleep, rested between matches and knew this match would mean he was either 7th or 8th in this NHSCS Senior Wrestling Championship. I could see the intensity and confidence he had in himself to finishing well.
He did his warm up routine and got on the mat only to be in a 25 min. delay while other consolation matches finished up so the placing matches could start. I spoke with him several times and told him “how proud we all were of him and to go out and wrestle like we all know you can.” I relayed messages from his Mom and Dad, Coach Phil and others who were eager to see him win.
The final match was with a wrestler named Sam Shames from MA who had a record of NP-5-1-1 in state competition the past four years. They just seem to keep coming, all these outstanding wrestlers no matter at what stage of the championship you were at, outstanding wrestlers.
This match began with a few slap fests and a lot of grappling for position in the entire first period. Then in the second period, Sam chose down and Logan road him out through the entire period. You might think this was boring but let me tell you, it was exciting. Both wrestlers were smart and strong and neither could get a point. The third period, Logan was to be down but Sam chose to give him a point and they started off in a neutral position. Again, back and fourth no one could get the advantage of the other so now no other points were earned, thus Logan won by a 1-0 score.
After that match, we were able to leave the event to return in the late afternoon for the All American parade of champions and to watch who was going to be the “National Champion” in each weight class. It was such a blessing to watch Logan, our oldest grandson walk with the other 112 All American wrestlers. He smiled and was proud to be an ALL AMERICAN.
Awards were handed out after the championship matches by commanders from the naval base and other military officers. Logan was 7th out of 35 in his weight class and each wrestler was an outstanding talent and a winner. By the way, Indiana placed 12th out of the 47 states who were represented.
We thank God for allowing us to see this event and for keeping Logan safe and allowing him to be a National All American to go with his many other achievements this year. We extend a thank you to the coaching staff, and all those who supported Logan throughout his wrestling career.
Congratulation Logan, we are very proud of you, as we were before this great event took place.
Comments...
Be the first to post a comment!
Post Your Comment!
Your email address will never be displayed or shared.
Once your comment has been reviewed, it will be published.
