Fri Jul 30 2010
by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
Akron -- After her consolation semifinal match Feb. 27 at the Division II district wrestling tournament, Crestwood's Paige Nemec was hearing from her coaches.
"There's no crying in wrestling!" they joked.
Nemec can be forgiven for the tears, because the district tourney proved she was in a league of her own. She finished fourth at 103 pounds, earning a place at the state tournament.
She becomes the first female ever to earn a berth at the Ohio High School Athletic Association's state meet.
"It's unbelievable," Nemec said. "I've wanted this from the beginning of the season, and I can't believe it has happened. I knew if I worked hard, I would give myself a chance."
After losing a quarterfinal match Feb. 26, Nemec had to win three matches to earn a state berth. After defeating Geneva's Cole Maloy and Fairless' Ronald Rowe, she needed to defeat Coventry's Jesse Gunter to earn her place.
Nemec said she knew the rematch from the Portage Trail Conference tournament would be tight -- and it was -- as it went to overtime tied at 1.
Late in the overtime period, Nemec shot on Gunter, went underneath him and lifted him up on her back. As she attempted to untangle herself and get the takedown, the referee ruled Gunter had used a figure-four leg lock on Nemec's head.
The illegal hold gave Nemec a point and a 2-1 win. The crowd at Firestone High School gave Nemec a standing ovation as she leapt into her coaches' arms.
Crestwood head coach Dave Wrobel said Nemec was a very good leader for the team.
"All the credit geos to Paige," Wrobel said. "After last year's district meet, she was in the weight room the next day trying to get stronger. She's got great technique."
Nemec said the state meet will "most likely" be her final wrestling meet, as she plans to play soccer when she attends Lake Erie College next fall.
Wrobel, however, isn't convinced she's done with the sport. "Never say never," Wrobel said. "She'll get the itch to come back someday."
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