Utica's Smith, Watkins Memorial's Speakman wrestle state-level match in opener
PATASKALA — Clayton Smith has to wait three more months before he has another opportunity to wrestle in the Division III state tournament, but he would like to end his season the way he started it Thursday.
The Utica senior edged Watkins Memorial sophomore Scott Speakman 3-2 at 144 pounds to highlight the Licking County League foes’ season-opening dual. The much-anticipated match lived to its billing.
"The biggest thing is to compete the best as I can, so rolling around for six minutes is just preparation for me for state," said Smith, who placed fourth at 144 in the Division III state tournament last March. He combined with graduates Wesley Wydick, who was the runner-up 126, and Brock Wygle to place Utica ninth in the team standings.
"I have big goals for state this year," Smith added. "I want to win it. I want bring it home for Utica, so I just have to get locked back in."
Speakman, a Division I state alternate at 138 last winter, tied the match at 2 with a second-period reversal. Smith, however, used a third-period escape to win the match after outlasting Speakman 1-0 in the Central District All-Star match two weeks ago.
"I had wrestled him a couple times at some off-season tournaments," Smith said. "Scott's a great wrestler. We weightlift together. He's a good person."
Watkins won eight of 12 contested matches to pick up a 55-18 victory. The Warriors won six matches by pin.
Senior Brenden Allberry was unable to get a pin, recording two near falls in the second period, but he did not mind before forced to go the full six minutes by Utica’s Robert Cotsamire. Allberry, a three-time district qualifier, won 11-0.
"It's a lot of pressure because I know I don't have anymore time after this season to make up for any lost experiences. I have to make every match I have count," Allberry said. "It really helps to build up endurance. The pin is always nice, but knowing you can go for the six minutes is also really nice to have in the back of your head when you know you have gas in the tank."
Allberry credited Speakman for helping him in the practice room. The Warriors have some power at the middleweights with junior Jayden VanBalen at 132 and sophomore Devin Nicodemus at 157 each recording a pin.
"(Speakman) is one of the better drill partners I have ever had. He is really good at what he does," Allberry said. "We just try to make each other better every day at practice."
Watkins sophomore Nolan Perry won by pin at 106 as did junior Meagan Justice, who beat Utica’s Madison Cassin in a girls matchup at 113. Freshman Jayden Horn edged Utica’s Breyden Hill 8-6 at 126.
A pin for senior Zach Cyphers at 165 helped Utica begin to turn the tide. Sophomore Andrew Lewis had an 8-3 lead in the third period at 175 when Watkins junior Chase Kellett rallied with a pin.
"I really just thought that it's only over when the bell rings," said Kellett, whose classmate Nick Morse also got a pin at heavyweight. "As long as I push myself the entire time, I know there's always a chance."
Nick Drumm picked up Utica’s first win with a pin at 138. Down the stretch, Brandon Thornsberry locked horns with Watkins’ Chris Flowers at 215, and the sophomore football standouts, who have battled since middle school, went the distance.
A reversal for Thornsberry in an action-packed first period was the difference in a 5-4 match. Thornsberry fought off a final shot attempt from Flowers during the final 30 seconds.
"I need to push everyone in the room, push our seniors," said Thornsberry, who is leading the heavyweights for Utica after Dylan Cooperider was lost to injury during football season. "I have the help the freshmen. I have to be the best role model I can be."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Utica's Smith, Watkins' Speakman wrestle state-level match in opener
