mikeg826
03-11-2013, 12:04pm
Anthony Ashnault of South Plainfield becomes first undefeated four-time state wrestling champion in history | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/wrestling/index.ssf/2013/03/anthony_ashnault_of_south_plainfield_becomes_first_undefeated_four-time_state_wrestling_champion_in.html#incart_m-rpt-1)
:seasix::seasix::seasix:
The final buzzer wailed on Sunday night and the moment registered: He was the best ever.
Anthony Ashnault threw his arms high in the air and screamed at the top of his lungs. He had just defeated Gary Dinmore of Hunterdon Central, 4-2, in the 138-pound championship match at the NJSIAA/Resilite Championships at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, becoming the first undefeated four-time state champion in New Jersey history.
Even though the match was over, adrenaline still surged through his body.
The senior from South Plainfield sprinted off the mat, dashed up the bleachers and ran down the concourse until he found his parents, Bill and Sue, standing near Section 107. As tears streamed down his parents’ faces, Ashnault wrapped his arms around them. The sold-out crowd of 11,149 stood and cheered.
With Sunday night’s victory, Ashnault finished his career with a 170-0 record and four state titles — a mark of perfection never seen before in state history.
“It’s hard to be perfect,” Ashnault said. “And it’s been a great run.”
Only Andrew Campolattano of Bound Brook and Mike Grey of Delbarton have won four state titles — but each suffered at least one loss during his career. Scott Winston of Jackson finished unbeaten with more than 100 wins, but he only won three championships because of an injury his freshman season.
Even more impressive: Ashnault has won a state championship every year since second grade, a streak that now reaches 11 straight state titles.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment,” South Plainfield coach Kevin McCann said. “Not the four state championships alone, but going through the grind and never losing a bout in high school. You can’t say enough about it.”
Standing in Ashnault’s way of perfection last night was Dinmore — who Ashnault beat, 5-2, in last season’s 126-pound final. Dinmore had not been defeated since, entering last night’s showdown with a 36-0 record.
An hour before the match, Ashnault sat alone on a stage behind the bleachers on the east end of the arena listening to Taylor Swift. He barely spoke and his face was blank. His older brother and mentor, Billy Ashnault, stood nearby offering advice and a calming presence.
“I actually felt more relaxed than ever this time around,” Ashnault said. “It’s really weird. Usually I’m uptight, but today I felt really confident. I had the mindset that I was going to come out and do it.”
As Ashnault ran onto the mat for the match, the huge crowd roared in anticipation. South Plainfield fans — many wearing the 900 green T-shirts that had sold out in one day — took up almost all of sections 106 and 107. Late in the first period, Ashnault wrapped his arms around Dinmore to score and the arena erupted with a shout of "Two!"
But Dinmore proved to be a game opponent. He rode out Ashnault in the second period, and the match was 2-2 early in the third. But with fewer than 20 seconds to go, Ashnault would not be denied. He lunged forward, grabbed Dinmore and scored a two-point takedown to seal the victory and cap the best career in New Jersey history.
"It’s amazing," Billy Ashnault said. "He won every match. Day-in and day-out. Four years. All the hours. It’s something that’s so hard to do."
After Ashnault hugged his parents, he headed back to the mat. A mix of emotions ran through his mind. About a decade ago, when he was just a child, he devoted his life to becoming the greatest wrestler in New Jersey history. It meant waking up before sunrise to lift weights before school and spending countless hours grappling in hot wrestling rooms.
"I set it as a goal," Ashnault said. "I saw it as realistic and I made it come true."
:seasix::seasix::seasix:
The final buzzer wailed on Sunday night and the moment registered: He was the best ever.
Anthony Ashnault threw his arms high in the air and screamed at the top of his lungs. He had just defeated Gary Dinmore of Hunterdon Central, 4-2, in the 138-pound championship match at the NJSIAA/Resilite Championships at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, becoming the first undefeated four-time state champion in New Jersey history.
Even though the match was over, adrenaline still surged through his body.
The senior from South Plainfield sprinted off the mat, dashed up the bleachers and ran down the concourse until he found his parents, Bill and Sue, standing near Section 107. As tears streamed down his parents’ faces, Ashnault wrapped his arms around them. The sold-out crowd of 11,149 stood and cheered.
With Sunday night’s victory, Ashnault finished his career with a 170-0 record and four state titles — a mark of perfection never seen before in state history.
“It’s hard to be perfect,” Ashnault said. “And it’s been a great run.”
Only Andrew Campolattano of Bound Brook and Mike Grey of Delbarton have won four state titles — but each suffered at least one loss during his career. Scott Winston of Jackson finished unbeaten with more than 100 wins, but he only won three championships because of an injury his freshman season.
Even more impressive: Ashnault has won a state championship every year since second grade, a streak that now reaches 11 straight state titles.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment,” South Plainfield coach Kevin McCann said. “Not the four state championships alone, but going through the grind and never losing a bout in high school. You can’t say enough about it.”
Standing in Ashnault’s way of perfection last night was Dinmore — who Ashnault beat, 5-2, in last season’s 126-pound final. Dinmore had not been defeated since, entering last night’s showdown with a 36-0 record.
An hour before the match, Ashnault sat alone on a stage behind the bleachers on the east end of the arena listening to Taylor Swift. He barely spoke and his face was blank. His older brother and mentor, Billy Ashnault, stood nearby offering advice and a calming presence.
“I actually felt more relaxed than ever this time around,” Ashnault said. “It’s really weird. Usually I’m uptight, but today I felt really confident. I had the mindset that I was going to come out and do it.”
As Ashnault ran onto the mat for the match, the huge crowd roared in anticipation. South Plainfield fans — many wearing the 900 green T-shirts that had sold out in one day — took up almost all of sections 106 and 107. Late in the first period, Ashnault wrapped his arms around Dinmore to score and the arena erupted with a shout of "Two!"
But Dinmore proved to be a game opponent. He rode out Ashnault in the second period, and the match was 2-2 early in the third. But with fewer than 20 seconds to go, Ashnault would not be denied. He lunged forward, grabbed Dinmore and scored a two-point takedown to seal the victory and cap the best career in New Jersey history.
"It’s amazing," Billy Ashnault said. "He won every match. Day-in and day-out. Four years. All the hours. It’s something that’s so hard to do."
After Ashnault hugged his parents, he headed back to the mat. A mix of emotions ran through his mind. About a decade ago, when he was just a child, he devoted his life to becoming the greatest wrestler in New Jersey history. It meant waking up before sunrise to lift weights before school and spending countless hours grappling in hot wrestling rooms.
"I set it as a goal," Ashnault said. "I saw it as realistic and I made it come true."