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Hawkins and Spartans Prove They Belong

January 16, 2008

Outstanding Hawkins defeats Wyoming State Champ to take first place in 285lb class.

by Devon Fitzgerald

normal_DSC_0009.JPG    This past weekend the TJ wrestling team traveled to Vernal, Utah for the Tournament of Champions where they wrestled their hearts out. The boys finished 21st place out of 34 teams, which is right where Coach Laurita expected his team to be.

    Wrestlers report that the tournament was mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. The team started their venture with a six-hour van ride and not a lot of space to oneself. The athletes were on a strict diet, so the road trip was not filled with snacks and fast food. This was just the start of a long and rigorous weekend full of wrestling.

    On Saturday, beginning at 9:00 am, the team had to weigh in to see if they made weight. If a wrestler was three pounds under he could go enjoy a nice hearty breakfast, but if not he could only have a bagel or two.

    The wrestlers would begin the day at 10:00 am and wouldn’t finish until 9:00 pm. Waiting all day and wrestling all day was tough for the squad, but they enjoyed the competition and building camaraderie. “We had to wait around a lot, so we got to spend time joke around and hanging out with the guys. It was fun,” said senior Justin Tara, who would have to drop out later in the competition due to an ankle injury.

    Tournament of Champions was the name of the event for good reason. Twenty out of the 34 teams were ranked in the top ten in their respective states, so the competition was fierce with only two Thomas Jefferson wrestlers placing in the finals, Junior Boris Tubic and Senior Michael Hawkins. However, Chris Salazar, Evan Duran, Matt Francis, and Justin Tara were all one or two wins away from placing, as well.

    Tubic, who had six wins and two losses through the tournament, would end up finishing 7th in the weight class of 215 pounds. Hawkins was undefeated going into this tournament and remained unbeaten, taking first place in the 285 pound class.

    Saturday was a special day for Hawkins because it was his 18th birthday, and fittingly he was granted his birthday wish. He beat Cody Brunty, the state champion from Wyoming . Brunty had not lost a match in two years, but Hawkins was able to bring him to defeat. Hawkins' road to the championship was not easy, but you would never know that based on his performances. He pinned his way to the championship, defeating every opponent by pin-fall. In the final match, the Wyoming State Champion and Michael Hawkins traded points back and forth until Hawkins was able to escape a reversal in the final seconds to score the win. “He was a big kid, and I have to admit I was nervous, because he had not lost a match in two years. I just did my best - and I am quick for my size - and I was able to use it against him,” said Hawkins.

    Clearly, the weekend was special for Michael Hawkins, on whose side the wrestling gods resided. Laurita said the team wrestled and fought like Champions, and believes the tournament brought out the best in the Thomas Jefferson Spartan wrestling team.  He said the experience will  make them better for the home stretch of the season.

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Written by Devon Fitzgerald · Filed Under Headlines, Sports, Wrestling