Ryan Colwell walked off the mat with a smile on his face at Millburn High School on Saturday afternoon after winning his third district title as a member of the Madison High School wrestling team.
Colwell, already a two-time district champ, added to his championship total by stopping Roselle Parks Rich Weslock with a 13-7 decision.
It didn't look great from the start though, as Colwell saw himself trailing 3-1 after the first period.
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"He got a quick takedown on me and I was kind of resting on the bottom, I don't really know why," Colwell said after the match.
In the second period though Colwell went to work, turning the Roselle Park senior to his back three different times, one of which where he came very close to recording a pin before the official stopped the match for very questionable potentially dangerous call.
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But with a 10-5 lead heading into the third period, Colwell wasted no time as he shot in for a single leg takedown. Weslock sprawled and found a way to spin behind for two points, but couldn't hold the Dodger down as Colwell quickly escaped for an 11-7 lead.
Another takedown for Colwell would be all that he would need as he finished the match with a 13-7 win.
"I knew once I got on top the match would change, and it certainly did do that," he added.
Also wrestling in the finals was sophomore 103-pounder Patsy Davis and senior Christian Mazzocchi (152).
Davis faced Brenden Calas of Seton Hall Prep in what turned out to be a double-overtime thriller, as Davis was the aggressor for the entire match.
In fact, for practically the entire first three quarters Davis was the only wrestler doing anything, but Calas was only handed one stalling warning.
The first point of the match wasn't scored until the second overtime when Davis attempted a granby roll but was caught midway through the move. Calas was rewarded three back points which would be all that he would need to stop the Madison sophomore.
At 152-pounds, Christian Mazzocchi went up against Roselle Park's Russell Brenner.
Brenner came out strong recording a quick first period takedown, but struggled to hold down Mazzocchi as he escaped to make the score 2-1.
As the two battled on their feet, an off balance Mazzocchi was pancaked to his back with a lateral throw. Brenner quickly mounted Mazzocchi and recorded a first period pin.
Also heading to the region tournament were third place finishers Eamon Epstein (140), Anthony Costa (160), and heavyweight Mike Boardman.
"There are ups and downs in any tournament,"Madison head coach Steve Healey said after the tournament. "We're bringing six with us to the regions next week, five will be going on Tuesday night. So you have to win on Tuesday night to give yourself a chance to place."
"You know, we'd like some matches back but the reality is that your season isn't over and we need to get ready for Tuesday, Friday and Saturday."
