PPT Slide
Streaks’ duo joins others in semifinals
Saturday, February 19, 2005
By JIM THOMAS Repository sports writer
PERRY TWP. — Lake High School senior Cory Smith could be excused if he was thinking about prom, spring break or even an upcoming test. Not happening, Smith said. “All week I was looking forward to this,” Smith, the Blue Streaks’ 125-pounder, said of the Perry Division I district wrestling tournament. “I would be sitting there in class, thinking about what I had to do.” The last two years ended in disappointment for Smith with close district losses. Friday, Smith and fellow Lake senior Adam Henley (145) swept away that bad taste by winning twice to advance to today’s semifinals and the doorstep of their first state tournament. It also was Senior Day for Perry 145-pounder Dustin Schlatter, GlenOak’s trio of Mike Abruzzi (140), Brandon Cantera (135) and Nick Roman (215), as well as Jackson’s Ben Johnson (125) and Green’s Phil Dickey (135). All won twice to reach the semis with Schlatter’s 39-second pin the fastest of the quarterfinals. Also winning two matches were Panther underclassmen Chris Hartley (119), Zach Mizer (130), Thomas Straughn (140) and Cory Nelson (152), GlenOak sophomore B.J. Boosz (103) and Jackson sophomore Dante Rini (103). All other local wrestlers had to wrestle either late last night or in this morning’s second round of consolation matches. Friday was especially sweet for Smith and Henley. Smith won 6-4 and 5-1 decisions to improve to 30-8. Henley took 5-4 and 7-4 decisions to lift his record to 30-10. It’s their time to shine, Lake head coach Mike Mattingly said. “It’s the third district for Cory,” Mattingly said. “He knew what to expect. Because he’s been here, he feels more confident.” Smith said winning his opening match against Twinsburg’s Mike Mencini was important because it gave him confidence. Downing Strongsville sectional winner Jason Austin in the second round was much bigger, he said. “Last year I won my first match and lost my second,” said Smith, who wrestled at 112 in 2004. “Then I won my first (consolation) and lost to (Jackson’s) Ben Johnson. “Johnson finished third at district, and fifth at state. It was very important (to beat Austin).” Smith won by beating Austin to the spot on the mat. He escaped from the down position at the start of the second period to lead 1-0, then stuck Austin with a takedown on the edge with 35 seconds left in the period to lead 3-0. Another takedown by Smith to start the period clinched his first semifinal appearance. “Cory’s moved up two weight classes this year,” Mattingly said. “He’s added muscle and weight. He’s a good kid, a good student, a captain. I’m glad he won.” Smith will meet GlenOak’s Cantera in the semis. Cantera, gunning for his first state appearance, won his first by major decision, 14-5, and then beat Strongsville sectional champ Kevin Shadrach of Parma, 8-6. District was a whole new experience for Henley. Despite being in the varsity lineup for three years, he had not advanced out of sectionals. While Smith was 24-13 as a junior, Henley was just 18-16. “He knew this was his last chance” to get to state,
