By Sam Gobeyn

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You normally wrestle at 120, but in your dual against Cathedral you decided to wrestle up against Lukasz Walendzak who is one of the best 126’s in the state. Talk about what led to that decision and how excited you were for that matchup.

We figured our 126 Sam Slivka could make 120 and beat their 120 and that it would be better for the team if I wrestled up. I was really excited because I knew he was one of the best kids at 126. 

 

You have been very dominant so far this season, but at one point during that match you were down 6-0. Talk about what was going through your head at that point in the match and how you kept your composure in order to come out with the win.

My coaches have always said to keep my head in it and not let my head go rogue if I am losing and that is pretty much what I did. 

 

You have a lot of experience in the state tournament, placing 3rd and 5th the last two years and winning the New Castle semi-state both years. Talk about what you have done in the offseason and the beginning of this season to make sure that you end this season on top of the podium.

I tried to go to every tournament that I could and train at as many different places as I could so I could see as many good kids as possible.

 

You’re not the only guy on your team with state title aspirations. Talk about how it is being on a team with so many other great guys and how much more fun that makes the whole process. 

It is a lot of fun because you are doing it for the guy next to you just as much as the you are for yourself. That’s one reason I really like duals, because we are doing it for each other. We all compete really hard in practice which makes the practices really tough but it makes us a lot better at the same time.

 

Anyone you want to thank?

My coaches and my parents.