Spartans wrestlers put up a fight before falling to Manhattan, 43-25
By Jesse Newell
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Emporia High wrestling coach Greg Buckbee might have seen his team drop a 43-25 decision to Manhattan Friday night, but he didn’t need to look hard to find positive signs from the early-season dual.
“I saw never-quit,” Buckbee said. “We’re still young. We’re still learning. That’s the thing about a young team — we could look a lot different by the end of the year.”
That never-say-die attitude was best illustrated in sophomores Zeb Peak and Tavo Dikin, who both overcame huge deficits to take wins in their respective weight classes.
At 135, Peak found himself in an early 2-0 hole after a quick takedown by Manhattan’s Tucker Adams.
“He threw me in a headlock and got me down,” Peak said, “so I kind of had to start from there.”
After allowing three more points in the second round, Peak trailed 5-0 with just two minutes to turn the match around. He knew his only option was to go for a pin in round three.
“I knew I had to win it because I was so far behind,” Peak said. “I just did everything I possibly knew.”
Luckily, one of those tries worked. After getting Adams off-balance, Peak forced him onto his back, pinning him 34 seconds into the third round.
“He’s just one of those kids that’s never going to quit,” Buckbee said. “He’s just going to keep coming after you and after you.”
The same could be said for Dikin in the 125-pound class.
After trailing 5-1 entering the third round — and also wrestling with a huge cut and bandage on his forehead — the sophomore started to make his move.
Three points in the first 18 seconds of round three cut the lead to 5-4, and Dikin sent it to overtime after Manhattan’s Lucas Wagner picked up a stall penalty in the final five seconds.
Dikin recorded a takedown just 15 seconds into overtime to finish his dramatic win. The Spartan had lost to Wagner in their previous matchup last season.
“That was a big confidence-booster for him,” Buckbee said, “and that’s what he needed.”
EHS actually led, 25-16, before dropping the final five matches to Manhattan.
The last three losses all came on falls.
“Those three (wrestlers) are first year on varsity, and two of them are freshmen,” Buckbee said. “It’s hard when you’re a freshman and you’re wrestling in the upper weight because you’re going to wrestle juniors and seniors every night. That’s just something they’re going to have to get used to and work through.”
Mark Kolmer (189), Justin Rose (112) and Sal Tovar (119) picked up the other victories for the Spartans.
EHS competed without three of its normal varsity wrestlers against Manhattan, which was the Centennial League champion last season.
“We did pretty good,” Dikin said. “It’s early in the season, and we’re getting better.”