COLUMBUS — Why mess with success?
Collin Riley sure didn’t want to.
The Mount Vernon senior went to his staple move Thursday in the first round of
the State Wrestling Tournament, beating Sam McIntosh of Lyndhurst Brush with
a third-period pin in a 130-pound match at The Ohio State University.
“The spladle, that’s my go-to move,” said Riley of the move
made to get the pin. “Once I get someone in it, they can’t get out.”
Riley and McIntosh had been locked in a tight battle until that point, tied 2-2
through 2 1/2 periods. McIntosh, who had just tied the match with an escape,
tried a shot at Riley’s legs and, in a matter of moments, the match was
over.
“As soon as he tied it up, I knew he was going to take a shot. I just put
my right foot out and was looking for it,” Riley said.
Riley (41-4) has used the move in about two-thirds of his 27 pins on the year,
so it was only natural he’d go to the move in the state tournament.
It took a while for Riley to get to the point of being able to use the move,
though. He got off to a good start, recording a take down to take a 2-0 lead
just seconds into the match. But, McIntosh was able to escape and trailed just
2-1 after one period.
The second period saw neither wrestler able to get control and it remained 2-1
until McIntosh got another escape midway through the third.
“He’s tough — tall and lanky,” Riley said. “I’ve
wrestled him before. (Prior to Thursday’s match), I watched video of our
match in Cincinnati. I knew when he took a shot I could get a sweep in and that
I could get in on his legs.”
Riley will face Nick Barber of Lakewood St. Edward in the championship quarterfinals
this morning at 11:20. Barber, the winner of the Lorain District, beat Joe Heyob
of Cincinnati St. Xavier, 20-9. A win would secure a spot on the podium for the
second straight year for Riley.
The first day of the state tournament wasn’t as kind to the other three
wrestlers from the area. Centerburg’s Jimmy Alexander (145 pounds), Fredericktown’s
Cody McGuire (189) and Utica’s Bryce Stewart (285) all lost their first
two matches and are done for the tournament.
McGuire’s night was the most heartbreaking as he was in both matches late.
In the opener against Mitchell Gross of Norwalk St. Paul, McGuire (39-9) trailed
just 2-1 midway through the third period. But, a reversal by Gross, along with
a near fall, gave the St. Paul senior a 7-1 victory.
The second, and final match, was even more heartbreaking for the Fredericktown
junior.
For the full story, click here for the March 4, 2011 e-edition
