Wrestlers prevail at NCL Championship

Senior Quinton Kelley and junior Jacob Petit won the 2018 North Coast League Championship in their weight classes on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Hoban’s Barry Gymnasium. Kelley won the 160 pound weight class title and Petit claimed the 220 weight class title for the Knights.

Kelley wrestled in three matches to take the trophy. The first ended in a pin after just twenty one seconds and the second in just six seconds, setting a Hoban record for the fastest pin ever. Kelley went on to win the championship match began with a 15-0 technical fall.

“It was easy. I got him on his back several times to rack up fourteen points in round one,” Kelley said. “All I had to do for round two was escape.”

Petit secured his title against Christian Isom from Benedictine. Petit overpowered Isom and managed to hold him down for the first round. In the second, Petit reversed and pinned Isom with 30 seconds left.  After a tough championship bout, Petit claimed his first NCL title with the Knights.

“Winning this title felt great since it was my first title,” Petit said. “It was even better to do it in front of a home crowd.”

Coach Rich Lann was filled with pride for his champs this weekend.

“Everyone wrestled really well,” Coach Lann said. “I can just see all of them taking our advice and it’s really paying off.”

With Kelley and Petit coming off an NCL championship win, the team hopes for a deep playoff run to Columbus for the OHSAA state championships. However, there is still a ton of work to do before the big dance.

“Our saying is ‘One day better.’ We want to improve each day,” Coach Lann said.

“You will see the results between our match against Stow earlier this year compared to the second time we face them and you will be able to see just how much these guys have improved,” he said.