Hillsboro duo earns repeat trip to state tournament
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This year, the trip to the 76th annual Division II State Wrestling championships for Hillsboro's Brandon Carter and Kordell Ford have a bit of the same feeling, but aspects of this year could also be different.
Take, for instance, Ford. Last season, as a sophomore, he placed fourth overall at 160 pounds in the three-day event. This year, he dropped weight to wrestle at 152 pounds all year and has even loftier goals at this weight class than he did one season ago.
Carter (44-3), a senior, had thoughts of moving up a weight class or two before the season, but he worked his way to lose 14 pounds before the start of the season to return to the 106-pound weight class for his final high school season.
The hard work and decisions for both grapplers have paid off in a big way, with the duo becoming the 14th and 15th wrestlers in HHS history to make multiple visits to the state tournament.
[[In-content Ad]]The HHS duo each won a South Central Ohio League and sectional championship this season, both repeating feats from one season ago.
HHS head coach Nathan Horne spoke about both wrestlers and their overall seasons.
"Brandon had a good tournament at districts," Horne said. "After his loss, he picked it up and wrestled two good matches for third. He's had a good senior year. He's a dependable kid.
"Carter hasn't missed a practice all year ... he's dedicated, and he's a good captain."
Coach Horne also spoke about Ford (46-3) and his year.
"It's amazing seeing how he's handled himself this season," Horne said of Ford. "Even last year, some kids would have folded after losing the first match, but he handled that situation well. He doesn't get shaken.
"You don't see him overly excited about wins, but you don't see him overly upset about losses … he's a key guy we can always count on. I think he's only missed one practice. He, along with a few others who didn't make it to state, are some of the most dedicated kids I have."
For Ford, last year at 160 pounds he went 4-2 at the state tournament, as he compiled an overall record of 44-5 on his way to the fourth-place finish.
This year, Ford enters the state championships with a mark of 46-3 in the 152-pound class, as the junior said it is an honor to qualify for the state tournament for the second straight year, as he and Carter each placed third at the Division II Goshen Districts with 4-1 records in the two-day event.
"It was a pretty tough tournament," Ford said. "Graham was there, but I felt like we wrestled pretty solid. We (Ford and Carter) got back to state, and that's what we were looking for. It went as planned, because we are back at state."
As for Carter, he advanced to state for the second consecutive year with a third-place finish at the Division II Goshen Districts, and this year, even though he was third for the second straight year, he said it was a bit tougher than the first time.
"This year, it was harder at 106 than it was last year. I faced kids who got sixth, fifth, fourth and second, and then I got third," Carter said. "I faced most of the tough kids, and I'm just glad to make it out. I worked so hard this year, and it worked out perfectly to plan. The main goal at districts is to just make it out. You want that first seed, but making it out is the main thing."
Even though it was described as great, each wrestler said the feeling of advancing to the state tournament wasn't that much different than last year.
"It's an honor to advance to state, no matter what seed you are," Ford said. "Last year, there was more emotion because it was my first time going, but this year it was exciting because of all the hard work we put in to get back.
"Now the main focus is placing again, and I have to keep the focus."
Carter compared both years as well.
"Last year was very emotional for me being the first time making it, and after not making it my sophomore year when I was alternate," Carter said. "This year, it's just as emotional because it's the last year I can make it.
"It's what I've dreamed about since I started wrestling … placing at the state tournament, so this was my last chance to get back there. It was huge for me to get back so I can give myself that chance."
Coach Horne spoke about Carter's style of wrestling.
"He's a pinner," Horne said. "He has a good cradle. Being a pinner, he scores a lot of points for us.
"We always like to see seniors do well. It's hard to go all four years, but he has. It's good for the program as the younger kids can see and learn from his leadership and the example he sets. He was one match away from placing last year, but the state is tough. Usually you get a group of kids who are really close in ability, but there are 16 kids there with a lot of one-point matches. We have a shot to get the wins and get them on the podium."
As mentioned earlier, Ford switched weight classes, dropping from 160 to 152 pounds, something that's not quite so easy to accomplish when trying to make weight at the start of the season. Getting to the required weight took a lot of discipline.
"It was tough … getting down to the weight was tough, but maintaining the weight isn't as bad," Ford said. "Last year, I didn't have to cut as much weight, but this year, I cut a good bit of weight, but I think it will be worth it.
"I've had a pretty strict diet. On the weekends, I'll eat what I want to, but on Monday, I go right back to the strict diet, but in the end, it's all worth it."
The junior 152-pound grappler spoke about the reasons for dropping a weight class.
"I switched classes to get a better chance to get to finals," Ford said. "With Bo Jordan at 160 … he's already a three-time champion, so I figured if I can make it to the finals, why not give myself the best chance of winning, and 152 would be the best option for me."
In comparison, Ford said the two weight classes had some differences, but for him, the biggest difference was his strength.
"Last year, I felt physically stronger," Ford said. "As the year has went on, my body has gotten used to 152. The matches aren't harder or any easier."
Carter, though he's stayed at the same weight class this year, said getting back down to the weight after the offseason took a lot of hard work, as he thought about changing weight classes, but for the good of the team and individually stayed at 106 this season.
"It was extremely hard last year to get down to 106, and this year it was back to the same thing," Carter said. "Having the percent of body fat I have, it's hard to cut weight. I spend five hours a day, every day maintaining my weight.
"After practice, I'll go to the Y every day to work out extra, and I still barely make it, over time. The first two times making it to 106, and I think Kordell was here cutting weight too, and I was here for hours. Then I would have to keep cutting weight from 12 until we started wrestling, and I ended up being 106 exactly once, just to make scratch, and that about killed me."
Even the most casual of followers of the sport of wrestling know cutting weight is important to participate in the sport, but when asked why they go through all the weight cutting and discipline it takes to participate in the sport, both grapplers said it was because they love the sport.
Carter went from weighing 120 before the season to 114 pounds, so when he cuts weight, he has to cut only eight or nine pounds instead of 12.
"It definitely is worth all the effort we put in," Carter said. "Even though I think I could have had a good chance to make it out of 113, or possibly 120, for me, I feel I have a better chance of placing at 106 when I'm the biggest one in the weight class.
"That's what people do. When they want to do well, they cut the weight and they are bigger than everyone else, and it helps. It helps to be physically stronger, even though when cutting weight, you don't feel physically stronger, but you get used to cutting the weight. It starts to feel normal. Only cutting six to eight pounds, instead of the initial 14 pounds, is much easier … that was tough."
The wrestlers have been to the largest stage in the state, and now they have set their goals to the highest they have in their careers.
"Last year, I was just looking to get to the podium, and I knew I had a shot at it, and I had a great draw last year," Ford said. "This year, having already placed fourth as a sophomore, I'm really hoping to get to the finals and even winning it … that's my main goal. But if that doesn't happen, placing at state is an honor.
"I know the atmosphere pretty well. Being there the first time, it was tough to handle, because we aren't used to wrestling in front of that many people … it was a rush. Coming back this year, I know what I'm in for."
Ford knows there is pressure on him, even more so than last year, after placing as a sophomore.
"I definitely felt the pressure this year," Ford said. "I had to cut the weight, and there were times this year when I just said I'm just going 160 and have a less of a chance to go back to state.
"I felt the pressure, but I just tried to use it in a positive way and not in a negative way. I tried not to let it get to me. I knew what I had to do ... now I just have to place again."
Horne spoke about Ford handling the pressure this season.
"Sometimes when you place at state and return, there is a lot of pressure, but he's handled it well," he said. "He's had a great year, and he lost to one of the top kids in the state at district by one points. We are right there, we know the matches will come down to a point or two. He's going to have some tough matches, and his half of the bracket is tough, but with his style of wrestling, we know his matches will be close."
Carter also said he felt pressure to return one last time.
"I didn't feel the pressure until the district tournament," he said. "Throughout the year, cutting the weight has given me so much of an advantage that I really haven't had too many challenges.
"At the district, I felt the pressure. I had to wrestle a lot of tough kids. Now that it is here, I feel more relaxed than last year, as I was more nervous then. I know I could have done better last year, and this year I've worked extremely hard, and that's in my mindset. I will wrestle the best I can at this state tournament."
Take, for instance, Ford. Last season, as a sophomore, he placed fourth overall at 160 pounds in the three-day event. This year, he dropped weight to wrestle at 152 pounds all year and has even loftier goals at this weight class than he did one season ago.
Carter (44-3), a senior, had thoughts of moving up a weight class or two before the season, but he worked his way to lose 14 pounds before the start of the season to return to the 106-pound weight class for his final high school season.
The hard work and decisions for both grapplers have paid off in a big way, with the duo becoming the 14th and 15th wrestlers in HHS history to make multiple visits to the state tournament.
[[In-content Ad]]The HHS duo each won a South Central Ohio League and sectional championship this season, both repeating feats from one season ago.
HHS head coach Nathan Horne spoke about both wrestlers and their overall seasons.
"Brandon had a good tournament at districts," Horne said. "After his loss, he picked it up and wrestled two good matches for third. He's had a good senior year. He's a dependable kid.
"Carter hasn't missed a practice all year ... he's dedicated, and he's a good captain."
Coach Horne also spoke about Ford (46-3) and his year.
"It's amazing seeing how he's handled himself this season," Horne said of Ford. "Even last year, some kids would have folded after losing the first match, but he handled that situation well. He doesn't get shaken.
"You don't see him overly excited about wins, but you don't see him overly upset about losses … he's a key guy we can always count on. I think he's only missed one practice. He, along with a few others who didn't make it to state, are some of the most dedicated kids I have."
For Ford, last year at 160 pounds he went 4-2 at the state tournament, as he compiled an overall record of 44-5 on his way to the fourth-place finish.
This year, Ford enters the state championships with a mark of 46-3 in the 152-pound class, as the junior said it is an honor to qualify for the state tournament for the second straight year, as he and Carter each placed third at the Division II Goshen Districts with 4-1 records in the two-day event.
"It was a pretty tough tournament," Ford said. "Graham was there, but I felt like we wrestled pretty solid. We (Ford and Carter) got back to state, and that's what we were looking for. It went as planned, because we are back at state."
As for Carter, he advanced to state for the second consecutive year with a third-place finish at the Division II Goshen Districts, and this year, even though he was third for the second straight year, he said it was a bit tougher than the first time.
"This year, it was harder at 106 than it was last year. I faced kids who got sixth, fifth, fourth and second, and then I got third," Carter said. "I faced most of the tough kids, and I'm just glad to make it out. I worked so hard this year, and it worked out perfectly to plan. The main goal at districts is to just make it out. You want that first seed, but making it out is the main thing."
Even though it was described as great, each wrestler said the feeling of advancing to the state tournament wasn't that much different than last year.
"It's an honor to advance to state, no matter what seed you are," Ford said. "Last year, there was more emotion because it was my first time going, but this year it was exciting because of all the hard work we put in to get back.
"Now the main focus is placing again, and I have to keep the focus."
Carter compared both years as well.
"Last year was very emotional for me being the first time making it, and after not making it my sophomore year when I was alternate," Carter said. "This year, it's just as emotional because it's the last year I can make it.
"It's what I've dreamed about since I started wrestling … placing at the state tournament, so this was my last chance to get back there. It was huge for me to get back so I can give myself that chance."
Coach Horne spoke about Carter's style of wrestling.
"He's a pinner," Horne said. "He has a good cradle. Being a pinner, he scores a lot of points for us.
"We always like to see seniors do well. It's hard to go all four years, but he has. It's good for the program as the younger kids can see and learn from his leadership and the example he sets. He was one match away from placing last year, but the state is tough. Usually you get a group of kids who are really close in ability, but there are 16 kids there with a lot of one-point matches. We have a shot to get the wins and get them on the podium."
As mentioned earlier, Ford switched weight classes, dropping from 160 to 152 pounds, something that's not quite so easy to accomplish when trying to make weight at the start of the season. Getting to the required weight took a lot of discipline.
"It was tough … getting down to the weight was tough, but maintaining the weight isn't as bad," Ford said. "Last year, I didn't have to cut as much weight, but this year, I cut a good bit of weight, but I think it will be worth it.
"I've had a pretty strict diet. On the weekends, I'll eat what I want to, but on Monday, I go right back to the strict diet, but in the end, it's all worth it."
The junior 152-pound grappler spoke about the reasons for dropping a weight class.
"I switched classes to get a better chance to get to finals," Ford said. "With Bo Jordan at 160 … he's already a three-time champion, so I figured if I can make it to the finals, why not give myself the best chance of winning, and 152 would be the best option for me."
In comparison, Ford said the two weight classes had some differences, but for him, the biggest difference was his strength.
"Last year, I felt physically stronger," Ford said. "As the year has went on, my body has gotten used to 152. The matches aren't harder or any easier."
Carter, though he's stayed at the same weight class this year, said getting back down to the weight after the offseason took a lot of hard work, as he thought about changing weight classes, but for the good of the team and individually stayed at 106 this season.
"It was extremely hard last year to get down to 106, and this year it was back to the same thing," Carter said. "Having the percent of body fat I have, it's hard to cut weight. I spend five hours a day, every day maintaining my weight.
"After practice, I'll go to the Y every day to work out extra, and I still barely make it, over time. The first two times making it to 106, and I think Kordell was here cutting weight too, and I was here for hours. Then I would have to keep cutting weight from 12 until we started wrestling, and I ended up being 106 exactly once, just to make scratch, and that about killed me."
Even the most casual of followers of the sport of wrestling know cutting weight is important to participate in the sport, but when asked why they go through all the weight cutting and discipline it takes to participate in the sport, both grapplers said it was because they love the sport.
Carter went from weighing 120 before the season to 114 pounds, so when he cuts weight, he has to cut only eight or nine pounds instead of 12.
"It definitely is worth all the effort we put in," Carter said. "Even though I think I could have had a good chance to make it out of 113, or possibly 120, for me, I feel I have a better chance of placing at 106 when I'm the biggest one in the weight class.
"That's what people do. When they want to do well, they cut the weight and they are bigger than everyone else, and it helps. It helps to be physically stronger, even though when cutting weight, you don't feel physically stronger, but you get used to cutting the weight. It starts to feel normal. Only cutting six to eight pounds, instead of the initial 14 pounds, is much easier … that was tough."
The wrestlers have been to the largest stage in the state, and now they have set their goals to the highest they have in their careers.
"Last year, I was just looking to get to the podium, and I knew I had a shot at it, and I had a great draw last year," Ford said. "This year, having already placed fourth as a sophomore, I'm really hoping to get to the finals and even winning it … that's my main goal. But if that doesn't happen, placing at state is an honor.
"I know the atmosphere pretty well. Being there the first time, it was tough to handle, because we aren't used to wrestling in front of that many people … it was a rush. Coming back this year, I know what I'm in for."
Ford knows there is pressure on him, even more so than last year, after placing as a sophomore.
"I definitely felt the pressure this year," Ford said. "I had to cut the weight, and there were times this year when I just said I'm just going 160 and have a less of a chance to go back to state.
"I felt the pressure, but I just tried to use it in a positive way and not in a negative way. I tried not to let it get to me. I knew what I had to do ... now I just have to place again."
Horne spoke about Ford handling the pressure this season.
"Sometimes when you place at state and return, there is a lot of pressure, but he's handled it well," he said. "He's had a great year, and he lost to one of the top kids in the state at district by one points. We are right there, we know the matches will come down to a point or two. He's going to have some tough matches, and his half of the bracket is tough, but with his style of wrestling, we know his matches will be close."
Carter also said he felt pressure to return one last time.
"I didn't feel the pressure until the district tournament," he said. "Throughout the year, cutting the weight has given me so much of an advantage that I really haven't had too many challenges.
"At the district, I felt the pressure. I had to wrestle a lot of tough kids. Now that it is here, I feel more relaxed than last year, as I was more nervous then. I know I could have done better last year, and this year I've worked extremely hard, and that's in my mindset. I will wrestle the best I can at this state tournament."