Holbert pins his way into state tournament

Rob Holbert and Brandon Alexander will represent Howland High in Columbus.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- It's got to be the shoes. Or maybe, Rob Holbert just knows how to wrestle.
How else do you explain the Howland High junior heavyweight pinning his way through the tournament and winning the district title en route to this week's state meet?
"It may have been the first time in the 45-year history of Howland wrestling" that an athlete has pinned his way through the tournament, Howland coach Brian Earich said.
How else do you explain Holbert's ability to set the school's single-season pins record (27) during a magical season in which he's gone 34-3?
Finding answers
Indeed, Holbert must know how to wrestle -- but it's the shoes that got him to this point.
When Holbert was a freshman, his first year in the sport, his mom bought him a pair of $120 adidas wrestling shoes (size 131/2).
"She said that if I quit, she'd be mad," Holbert recalled. "So I stuck with it."
He went 8-8 as a freshman and 29-15 last season as a sophomore while also qualifying for the district tournament.
Despite his early doubts in wrestling, Holbert began to flourish.
"It was harder than anything I've ever done," Holbert said. "People say football's hard. Football's a cake walk compared to this."
Coming into his junior year, Holbert had a good idea he'd return to the district meet. There, he would control his own fate.
"When you wrestle heavyweight, you have to pick and choose your moments," Holbert said, explaining his pin-heavy tournament ride.
"Once I get a guy in position, I take advantage and throw him," Holbert said. "Usually when I get someone on their back, they don't get up."
Alexander returns
Holbert will have company today when the Tigers leave for Columbus, where the tournament begins Thursday and continues through Saturday. Senior Brandon Alexander (36-2) will make his second straight trip to the state meet.
"He's one of the best ever," Earich said. "But no matter how good of an athlete he is, he carries himself well. The first thing you hear is how great of a person he is."
Alexander qualified last season at 160 pounds. This time, he's up two weight classes to 189.
"I knew I was up two weight classes, so I focused on conditioning and lifting," Alexander said. "I knew I had to get stronger."
Alexander's season has been highlighted by a 35-match winning streak that he continued into the district tournament.
"It's just having a lot of fun, knowing it's your senior year and knowing you have nothing to lose," said Alexander, who will play football at the University of Toledo.
The streak came to an end last weekend when Alexander lost in the district semifinals.
"I knew I had to come back and wrestle hard to get back to state," said Alexander, who finished fourth in the district. "I couldn't let a loss get me down."
True teammates
By wrestling each other in practice, Holbert and Alexander have helped strengthen the other's weakness -- Holbert by using his size; Alexander by using his quickness.
"I've had a problem with lighter [and quicker] heavyweights," Holbert said. "[Now] when I go against a lighter heavyweight who shoots, I'm more prepared."
Alexander added, "I still feel like I'm a 160 pounder, but I have the weight for 189. Wrestling a heavyweight all the time helps me with my strength."
Alexander's experience last season in an overwhelming, charged environment at the Schottenstein Center should benefit himself and Holbert.
richesson@vindy.com