Boys
An exciting season continues as the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) champions Lakota East Thunderhawk’s are sending two boy’s wrestlers to the State tournament in Columbus. Seniors Cohen Reip and Demetrius Stanley will both be competing for a chance to be state champions in the 215 pound and 285 pound weight classes respectively.
Both wrestlers finished the regular season at the top of the GMC in their own respective weight classes. Reip finished the season with an impressive record of 32 wins and five losses which included 22 pins. Stanley led his weight group by a wide margin, finishing with 32 wins to only one loss, and tallied 21 pins.
“I give all thanks to the coaching staff. They’ve helped me get it [to] the spot where I am today. All of my technique and conditioning are products of the coaches,” Reip told Spark.
Led by head coach Bryan Pennix, the East Boys Wrestling team secured the GMC championship title for the first time in program history. The success of the two state bound individuals is a direct result of their continuous hard work, and dedication to mastering their skills.
“Demetrius works hard in the spring and summer on wrestling. He was a national qualifier the past two years in Freestyle and Greco. He worked very hard in the weight room with the football team to grow into a full-size heavyweight,” Pennix told Spark. “Cohen Reip has been one of the hardest working wrestlers I have coached in my 24 years of coaching. His work in the weight room during the summer and the fall with the football team gave him a perfect foundation for a wrestler. He is an exceptionally smart wrestler who picks up new techniques quickly and is incredibly coachable.”
Both boys will head into the state competition with hopes that their years of hard work and dedication will result in a state title.
Girls
After a strong season from the Lakota East Girls Wrestling team, three girls will get the chance to compete for a state title in Columbus. Sophomore Camryn Gresham, senior Sydney Hall, and sophomore Makirah Hall will all be wrestling for a chance to be crowned state champions.
This season saw a lot of success for the girls’ team as a whole, as they came in first place in the sectional tournament, and fourth place in the district competition. At the district tournament, Gresham finished in first place, Sydney finished in first place, and Makirah finished in fourth place, each wrestling in their own respective weight class. Just getting the chance to compete for a state title is a direct result of the hard work and dedication that each girl continues to put forth.
“I’ve been preparing all year for this moment, but these last couple weeks I’ve been really focusing and dialing in and getting ready to compete,” Gresham told Spark.
Hard work is a must to make it to this level of competition, and this extra preparation set forth by Gresham will help line her path to success.
“I think a big part of my success comes from my family who believes in me but, more so, my parents who make all the sacrifices for me and take me to and from practices,” said Gresham. “Also, all of the coaches who have pushed me along the way, and my teammates who make me better.”
These wrestlers will be putting their best foot forward in order to assure that their hard work and dedication this season has been worth it.
