3/5- Sports Spotlight- District 4 Wrestling Going for Gold At States
By: Phil Schoener
Updated: March 5, 2013
Wrestlers to watch at the state tournament in Hershey include two from Benton. Zain Retherford at 138 is the new North East Region Double A Champion. Tiger teammate Colt Cotten is the Region's best at 145. Ty Walter of Mifflinburg finished first at 160 and says the tournament in Williamsport is perfect preparation for States.
Ty Walter
Mifflinburg Area, 160 pounds
"It's definitely the toughest state in the country and probably the toughest region in Double A in the state. It's a tough region. To make it through here, you have a good chance of winning or placing high at states."
Muncy's Troy Hembury is Regional Champ at 182 and is heading back to Hershey for a third time. Milton Area's Ryan Solomon is the defending state champion and will return at 195 pounds. Fellow regional champ and future Penn State football player Brandon Smith from Lewisburg... share what it takes to be successful at at such a high level of competition.
Ryan Solomon
Milton Area, 195 pounds
"You have to have the mental toughness also, big part of this. Cutting the weight, going out wrestling six hard minutes. It definitely takes a lot to do this sport."
Brandon Smith
Lewisburg Area, 220 pounds
"It gets tougher and tougher each week, getting into longer matches here with good experienced kids, maybe go a whole match or into overtime a few times, who knows but you have to keep working hard."
Troy Hembury
Muncy, 182 pounds
"You have to have confidence, it goes a long way. You have to believe in yourself, be confident you can win every match you step on the line."
Walter: "If just go in confident, anything can happen even if you are not the better wrestler."
