MARION — Ethan Amens had one more step to go. Meanwhile, Northmor wrestling teammate Carson Campbell already knew the way.
The two seniors were the Marion-area’s lone champions at the 47th Sally George Wrestling Invitational at Pleasant Jan. 31.
“I’ve wrestled here four times, and I’ve been runner-up twice, and I got third my freshman year. It feels good,” Amens said after climbing to the top of the podium with winning the 120-pound weight class.
“I was trying to get a three-timer since I’ve won it the past two years,” Campbell said after his podium pose for taking the 165-pound class. “It’s my fourth time in the finals here. I wanted to win it one more time.”
At the Sally, the championship bouts are held under a lone light above a solitary mat.
“I just love the atmosphere of being under the light and all the attention of being in front of everybody,” Campbell said.
Campbell won his title with a pin followed by a pair of technical falls. Amens won his championship via three pins, the longest bout lasting just 63 seconds.
“I feel really good. I feel a lot better than I did last year and the years before,” Amens said. “I’ve honed my nerves a lot better now that I am on top of the food chain and a senior. I get a little more confidence with that. It makes it a lot easier to go out and wrestle every match.”
Campbell feels the same way.
“I feel good where I’m at right now,” he said. “I feel I’m in the condition I need to be. I’ve got to keep fine-tuning every little detail to try to get on top of the (state tournament) podium. I need more work on the bottom. I haven’t had a lot of work there this year.”
Both are former state qualifiers and state placers. Each wants to go out on top in their final chance at state.
“It feels like you’ve got something to prove big time,” Amens said. “Dedicating your life to a sport makes you want to prove that you can be No. 1. That’s what I’m going for.”
The same goes for Campbell.
“I’ve been wrestling for 14 years,” he said. “It’s crazy to think about knowing that in a month and a half it’s all over. I want to try to be at least top two.”
Other Marion-area Sally George placers
Four other Marion-area wrestlers made it to the spotlight matches, settling for runner-up finishes. Taking second were Marion Harding’s Mark King at 106, Mount Gilead’s Rocco Castricone at 113, MG’s Camden Castricone at 120 and Pleasant’s Greyson Haycook at 144.
Finishing third were Pleasant’s Paxton Hensel at 113, River Valley’s Karson Jenkins at 126, Northmor’s Carter Thomas at 132, Harding’s Kile Sentieri at 175 and RV’s Drew Goldberg at 285.
Placing fourth were Northmor’s Xander Allen at 106, Northmor’s Brady Carr at 126, Pleasant’s Gabe Addy at 138, Northmor’s Collin Beck at 150, Pleasant’s Chase VanOosten at 157, Harding’s Phillip Addis at 165 and Harding’s Sean Kelly at 190.
Taking fifth were Harding’s Jaiden Jackson at 132, MG’s Colton Fenner at 144, Harding’s Robinson Ramos at 165 and RV’s Wyan’ye Dickerson at 190.
Ending sixth were Pleasant’s Parker Rowe at 113, Pleasant’s David Tuerck at 120, Pleasant’s Aaron Hibar at 150 and Harding’s Jayden Jacobs at 215.
Liberty Center won the two-day, 18-team tournament with 186.5 points to edge Madison’s 176.5. Northmor was third at 146.5. Harding and Pleasant tied for sixth with 114.5 points, while MG was 13th and RV 14th.
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Northmor gets two champions at the 47th Sally George Wrestling Invite
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
