... nearly get pinned and come back to win?
Ross Neubauer, St. John’s junior from Olivia
(The 130-pounder fought off a pin at the 2007 state tournament and came back to win the match.)
As a senior, my goal was to place at the state tournament, but I ended up losing my second match which sent me to the wrestlebacks. And the work I had put into that sport for an entire season had almost vanished in front of my eyes. I was wrestling a kid from La Crescent and I started out really well by getting a couple of takedowns and racking up some back points. I was ahead in the match by 11 points going into the third period and I remember talking with my coach about the best way to technical fall the kid. I think we decided that I should keep up with the takedowns and, if the opportunity presents itself, to put him to his back. I came out real aggressive, but also sloppy at the start of the final period. Before I knew what hit me, my opponent threw a headlock and put me to my back. My first thought on my back was ‘What just happened?' I was killing this kid and now I'm about to get pinned which would take me out of the tournament. I hadn't been pinned all year and now of all times to get headlocked. I remember fighting with all I could to get off my back. That was probably one of the longest minutes of my life. I ended up freeing myself and getting to my stomach. I was so relieved. The match ended up 14-7 in my favor. As I was walking off the mat the referee of my match walked passed me and said, 'Whew, that was close.' I smiled and said, 'You're telling me!' After that, I ended up moving on in the tournament and taking fifth place. I accomplished my goal and stepped up onto the podium for my medal at the end of the day.
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