|
OMAHA With many expecting a more competitive rematch in Friday night's semifinal battle between top-rated Hadley Cooksley of Grand Island Northwest and No. 2 Sandi Stanback of Boys Town, Cooksley wasn't sorry to disappoint.
The Northwest senior clinched a spot in the 285-pound championship match in the Class B state wrestling championships by pinning Stanback in 1:17. Cooksley takes a 33-0 record all 33 victories have come via fall into Saturday's 2 p.m. finals at the Qwest Center.
Earlier this season, Cooksley had handed Stanback his only loss of the season, pinning him in 3:16 at the Schuyler Invitational. Early on, it was evident that the Cowboys' sophomore, who had to cut down from well over 300 pounds, was bent on revenge.
"He looked a little more (ticked) off this time," Cooksley said with a grin. "I just sat there and stayed patient. I wasn't going to rush anything."
After locking up with Stanback for the first minute, Cooksley used a knee pick to knock his opponent off-balance and onto his back. Despite weighing 50 pounds less, Cooksley wasn't about to let the opportunity go to waste, squeezing tight to get the pin.
"I pulled him, got that leg in and hit it quick," Cooksley said. "I got him off balance and got him to his back.
"Usually, when I get a kid on his back, it's tough for him to get away."
Northwest coach Brian Sybrandts said he couldn't be more thrilled for Cooksley.
"I'm just ecstatic right now," Sybrandts said. "It's very emotional. Hadley has worked so hard and you just never know if it's going to happen.
"Like I said before, it was just too bad that both of those guys were on the same side of the bracket because it's a shame they couldn't meet in the finals."
As if Cooksley needed any motivation to avoid a letdown on Saturday, he has it. Matt Spain of Valentine, the wrestler who knocked off Cooksley in last year's state quarterfinals, is his opponent in the championship.
"I've been waiting for this match for a long time," Cooksley said.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for the last year. I have every motivation in the world."
Northwest, which is 12th in the team race with 42 points, will finish with two state medalists. Jeff Mills (30-8 at 160) lost his semifinal match 17-2 to Omaha Skutt's Tyler Kottas, but can come back through the consolation rounds to finish as high as third with two victories.
Central City dropped to fourth in the Class B team race with 63 points. Omaha Skutt has the title salted away with 224 points, followed by Syracuse (79) and Boys Town (70).
The Bison have one state finalist as Logan Williams (37-0 at 119) received a forfeit from Omaha Skutt's Andrew Hollins. Central City's Matthew Maresh (125), Kam Lenhart (130) and Myles Butt (160) all lost in their semifinal matches.
The area's other Class B finalist will be David Gonzalez of Hastings. Gonzalez (40-3 at 135) defeated Darian Haynes of Auburn 7-2 in the semifinals.
State Wrestling Mega Gallery 600+ Photos
Want to comment on this article?
Register on our forums and post your thoughts.
It's free and easy to do!
independentforums.com
|
