McCrork provides a thriller in OT loss in state final match
Waynedale’s Robert McCrork, top, waged a battle for the ages in his 190-pound state final match. McCrork fell in overtime, his lone loss of the season.
Waynedale’s Robert McCrork went against Mechanicsburg’s Ronnie Thomas for all the marbles at 190 pounds in the Division III state championship wrestling match.
This is what a state championship wrestling match is supposed to represent, two juggernauts going head-to-head in a battle for the title.
Both wrestlers entered this contest for supremacy undefeated, McCrork at 52-0 and Thomas at 53-0.
In the end it would be Thomas emerging victorious, but it was an epic contest that may have been one of the highlight reels of the weekend.
McCrork trailed by one going into the final period, choosing down instead of neutral as his coaching staff recommended. He got an escape with less than one minute left to force overtime at 5-5. In that overtime Thomas was able to get a takedown with about 30 seconds left in the sudden victory period to win the title 8-5.
Both wrestlers showed strong moves and blocks to keep from getting taken down in the final period and overtime before Thomas found a way.
Waynedale head coach Louie Stanley summed up the match this way:
“They’re a couple of big guys who like to shoot a lot — be explosive on bottom. We were winning on our feet, so us coaches said stay neutral. He said, ‘Nope, I want to go down.’ And he did it and obviously got out. He made the right call there. We tied it up. Overall, it was just a really gritty match by both wrestlers. One versus two, both seniors and both undefeated. Awesome.”
Following the loss, McCrork was diplomatic, praising his opponent while recognizing he had wrestled an incredible match himself.
“I’ve just got to go in, work harder and push myself more, just recollect what happened in that match, kick out the bad and work on what I did wrong and work on what I did right,” he said. “I love the opportunity I got. (I) pushed myself with a tough opponent. He makes me better. I’m sure I made him better. Just keep working.
“All year I knew my pace was better than most everyone in the state. That’s just how I’ve always attacked — with pace. That’s what I go in thinking about. Try not to get sloppy. Obviously, working the technique while keeping the pace up.”
The match was one for the ages and one many people won’t soon forget, let alone the two mighty figures who stood face-to-face and emerged with so much respect for each other.