Linky, Miller, Alexander Take NLC Wrestling Titles
January 18, 2021 at 10:10 p.m.
Linky, Miller, Alexander Take NLC Wrestling Titles
By Steve Krah-
Linky, who reigned at 160 pounds in 2020, was the best at 170 in an NLC meet held Saturday, Jan. 16 at Warsaw’s Tiger Den.
After earning a first-period pin and third-period technical fall in his first two matches of the day, Linky pinned Plymouth junior Zach Truitt in 3:00 in the finals to move to 21-1 on the 2020-21 season.
Linky, who is deaf, communicated after the match through interpreter Rebecca Black.
“I like to pin them in the first round because that saves my energy for my next match,” said Linky, who has ended most bouts this season by fall. “This year I’ve asked (Warsaw coach Kris Hueber) about how I’m doing and how he thinks I can improve.”
In practice, Linky likes to drill with a wrestling dummy and with a partner.
“It helps me with my legwork,” said Linky. “I think I’m getting better.”
Northridge (224) finished atop the team standings, followed by Mishawaka (222.5), NorthWood (193), Plymouth (150), Wawasee (146), Goshen (124), Warsaw (113.5), Concord (51). Since Mishawaka beat Northridge in a Jan. 7 dual, the Raiders and Cavemen shared the NLC title.
Among other winners at Saturday’s NLC meet were Wawasee’s Hunter Miller (113) and Jace Alexander (138).
Placing third for the Warriors was freshman Kameron Salazar (106) and junior Dylan Tom (120) while sophomore Logan Stuckman (132), sophomore Gavin Malone (145) and junior Tim Shortt (160) came in fourth.
“I was wrestling a lot more aggressive and pushing the tempo,” said Miller, who has persisted this season even with COVID-related pauses to the Warriors’ season. “It stunted my practice a little bit, but I got through it.”
Sophomore Miller earned a forfeit, technical fall and pin on the way to his title while Alexander scored a forfeit, major decision and pin.
Senior Alexander credited pre-match opponent scouting to his Saturday victories.
“I focused on how they warmed up,” said Alexander. “Guys will kind of (rehearse) the shots they’re going to do.
“I was ready for that move.”
Miller is 15-0 on the season while Alexander is 18-0.
Freshman Titus Taylor (fifth at 126), sophomore Cameron Zimmerman (fifth at 170) and junior Wyatt Slusher (sixth at 182) also placed for the Warriors.
Senior Brandon Estepp (182) and junior William Roberts (285) placed third and junior Andrew Ross (138) wound up fourth for Warsaw.
Other placers for the Tigers were sophomore Jaxson Coo Walters (fifth at 160) and freshman Gideon Castro (fifth at 220), freshman Bryce McNees (sixth at 106), freshman Elias Garza (sixth at 113), freshman Isaiah Martinez (sixth at 120), sophomore Bryson Brown (sixth at 152) and freshman Chase Carl (sixth at 195).
Warsaw and Wawasee are both scheduled to compete in the IHSAA Plymouth Sectional on Saturday, Jan. 30.
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Linky, who reigned at 160 pounds in 2020, was the best at 170 in an NLC meet held Saturday, Jan. 16 at Warsaw’s Tiger Den.
After earning a first-period pin and third-period technical fall in his first two matches of the day, Linky pinned Plymouth junior Zach Truitt in 3:00 in the finals to move to 21-1 on the 2020-21 season.
Linky, who is deaf, communicated after the match through interpreter Rebecca Black.
“I like to pin them in the first round because that saves my energy for my next match,” said Linky, who has ended most bouts this season by fall. “This year I’ve asked (Warsaw coach Kris Hueber) about how I’m doing and how he thinks I can improve.”
In practice, Linky likes to drill with a wrestling dummy and with a partner.
“It helps me with my legwork,” said Linky. “I think I’m getting better.”
Northridge (224) finished atop the team standings, followed by Mishawaka (222.5), NorthWood (193), Plymouth (150), Wawasee (146), Goshen (124), Warsaw (113.5), Concord (51). Since Mishawaka beat Northridge in a Jan. 7 dual, the Raiders and Cavemen shared the NLC title.
Among other winners at Saturday’s NLC meet were Wawasee’s Hunter Miller (113) and Jace Alexander (138).
Placing third for the Warriors was freshman Kameron Salazar (106) and junior Dylan Tom (120) while sophomore Logan Stuckman (132), sophomore Gavin Malone (145) and junior Tim Shortt (160) came in fourth.
“I was wrestling a lot more aggressive and pushing the tempo,” said Miller, who has persisted this season even with COVID-related pauses to the Warriors’ season. “It stunted my practice a little bit, but I got through it.”
Sophomore Miller earned a forfeit, technical fall and pin on the way to his title while Alexander scored a forfeit, major decision and pin.
Senior Alexander credited pre-match opponent scouting to his Saturday victories.
“I focused on how they warmed up,” said Alexander. “Guys will kind of (rehearse) the shots they’re going to do.
“I was ready for that move.”
Miller is 15-0 on the season while Alexander is 18-0.
Freshman Titus Taylor (fifth at 126), sophomore Cameron Zimmerman (fifth at 170) and junior Wyatt Slusher (sixth at 182) also placed for the Warriors.
Senior Brandon Estepp (182) and junior William Roberts (285) placed third and junior Andrew Ross (138) wound up fourth for Warsaw.
Other placers for the Tigers were sophomore Jaxson Coo Walters (fifth at 160) and freshman Gideon Castro (fifth at 220), freshman Bryce McNees (sixth at 106), freshman Elias Garza (sixth at 113), freshman Isaiah Martinez (sixth at 120), sophomore Bryson Brown (sixth at 152) and freshman Chase Carl (sixth at 195).
Warsaw and Wawasee are both scheduled to compete in the IHSAA Plymouth Sectional on Saturday, Jan. 30.
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