HEATH — Day 1 of districts is the first step for wrestlers who covet a spot on the state podium. The best part about Day 1 is that, win or lose, you get another chance on Day 2.
Unfortunately for area wrestlers, nobody came out of Day 1 unscathed.
The Centerburg Trojans came into Heath High School for Friday’s Central District Division III Championship with a school record six qualifying wrestlers and plenty of expectations. They wound up getting treated pretty roughly in the first round, only getting a pair of winners: Daniel Colopy and Reed Hensel. Colopy (126 pounds) decisioned Travis Abner of Southeastern, 12-5. Colopy, subsequently, lost his championship quarterfinal match to West Jefferson’s Gennar Feucht on a technical fall.
“First round, I came out a little tired,” said Colopy. “I just got done getting out on weight. I worked hard all week.”
Reed Hensel (152) came up with a big third period and pinned River Valley’s Trae Cornell at 5:58 in their first rounder later that evening, Hensel lost an 18-1 decision to Jarred Leasure of Calwell in their quarterfinal.
“In the final period, I just hit the switch,” said Hensel of his first round win. “I’m out of breath, but I can’t do it without all these coaches around me. They’ve been pushing me everyday. I owe this to them — every single one of them — even the coaches from last year and every one of my teammates.”
Meanwhile, Centerburg’s Austin Glasscock (138), Sean Gibson (145), Justin Backiewicz (132) and Justin Keys (182) were all pinned in their first-round matches and face a longer climb to a state berth.
“(Saturday) we look to be better,” said Centerburg coach Mark McCann. “The big match was with Reed Hensel, who upset the No. 1 seed and we’re real proud of that.”
