WRESTLING Bates named EOWL's best of the week

The senior is 14-1 in the 215-pound class.
BELOIT -- Craig Bates, a senior at West Branch High, has been selected as Eastern Ohio Wrestling League Wrestler of the Week.
Bates (14-1), wrestling at 215 pounds, won his only match last week by pinning Carrollton's Chris Hawk in 1 minute, 13 seconds.
Last year, Bates posted a 27-7 record and was one match away from going to the Division II state wrestling tournament.
About the pin over Hawk, Bates, a three-year letterman, said, "I took him with a sweep single. I shot the outside, put my hand around his leg and took him down and kicked him out."
Bates' only loss this season, a 9-3 decision, was to Alliance High's unbeaten Marcus Adelman (15-0).
Exhiliration: "I like to wrestle," said Bates. "There is nothing like getting your hand raised in the middle of the circle after a match."
Bates, who has wrestled since the seventh grade, added, "Wrestling helps me in the classroom, because it helps me stay determined on my class assignments."
The goals set by Bates are for his team to win the Northeastern Buckeye Conference championship, to be named first team on the NBC all-star squad and to qualify for the state meet and place.
The Warriors' coach is Mike Helm.
"Our coach is a great guy, real fun and cool to be around, but when it's time for business, it's time to go all out and do our best," said Bates.