By MARC MALKOSKIE
Press Enterprise Writer
(Written after Thursday, March 7)
HERSHEY — Of the 280 wrestlers talented enough to qualify for the Class 2A state wrestling championships, only five percent realize their ultimate dream of a gold medal.
And losing a shot at that dream on the first day often reveals a lot about a wrestler’s character.
For Benton’s Nolan Lear, that ultimate goal will have to be put on hold, at least until next season.
The freshman 152-pounder dropped a hard-fought 5-2 decision to St. Joseph’s Keegan Rothrock in the first round on Thursday, after being tied at two heading into the final period.
“That kid (Lear) wrestled (first) was ranked ninth in the state, so to get that draw right off the bat is a tough one,” Benton coach B.J. Wise said.
However, instead of crumbling after that loss, Lear refocused and set a new goal: to get on the podium Saturday.
“I just put that (first-round) match behind me. It’s over with,” Lear said. “I just had to focus on the next one, and have to keep advancing, match by match.”
About three hours after suffering the opening loss, Lear used that mindset to hold off Troy’s Isaac Cory in the first round of consolations, 3-2.
With that win, Lear awaits Conneaut’s Brendan Laird in the second round of consolations this morning.
“It wasn’t what we wanted,” Wise said. “I told him before, and many people have told me this, college coaches and scouts look for guys who lose in the first round and come back for third. Those guys have that mentality to come back and win right away and take third, and that’s a good thing. He’s a freshman. Yeah you want to be a four-time state champ, but how many are there? Basically, I just told him to shake it off and get out there and just be ready to roll.”
Lear (34-7), ranked sixth at his weight according to PA Power Wrestling, will need two consecutive wins to earn a spot on the podium. But according to Wise, the District 4 champion is taking the obstacles in front of him one step at a time rather than focusing on the big picture.
“Wrestling here as a freshman is a goal in itself,” Wise said. “To get a win is another goal. There’s many kids where their goal is to make it to states. It was a good stepping stone for him to get his first win, but that’s not what we’re here for. We’re here to place. So one match at a time, one period at a time, and that’s how we’re going to wrestle. That’s the way out.”
Despite being a freshman, Lear is very familiar with the atmosphere at the Giant Center. His older brother, Corey, was a two-time state medalist, including winning the 160-pound state championship in 2009.
“I’ve been here before watching my brother wrestle all the time,” Lear said. “But it’s a dream coming here and wrestling myself.”
Despite only being in ninth grade, Lear and sophomore Gable Strickland, a favorite to win the 113-pound title, are the two team leaders at practice.
“When we’re doing sprints and drilling, (Lear and Strickland) are going hard,” Wise said. “They’re pushing the guys that lack the motivation. If you work hard, other people see it. You don’t always have to be yelling, ‘Hey, get to work!’ If you lead by example and do the right things, other guys look around and say, ‘All right, we need to pick it up too.’”
Although Lear is confident in his chances of obtaining his new goal, he still isn’t overlooking the tough path ahead.
“It’s going to be tough,” the Northeast Regional runner-up said. “(152 pounds) is a tough weight. There’s a lot of seniors in here. I just have to keep wrestling my way and dominate every position that I can.”
Marc Malkoskie covers sports for the Press Enterprise. He may be reached at 570-387-1234, ext. 1338, or by email at sports@pressenterprise.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mmalkoskie.
Comments