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Byland snaps Quakers’ 13-year drought
By BRIAN DZENIS
COLUMBUS
Salem wrestler Kade Byland got a two-for-one special on Friday in the state tournament at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.
In the second round on the Division II consolation bracket, the 160-pounder defeated Akron Saint-Vincent Saint Mary’s David Heath, 4-2, by sudden victory in overtime.
The win allowed Byland to exact revenge on the wrestler that defeated him in district competition. He also became the first Salem wrestler to place in the tournament since 2003.
Byland is still in the race for a top three finish. Following the win against Heath, he pinned Hamilton Ross’ Tyler Young in 2:54.
“It’s awesome. It’s great for the program,” Byland said. “Kids are going to look up on the wall and see that and try to strive and be that. It’s going to make them better everyday.”
The last Quakers wrestler to place was assistant coach Shane Hostetler, who took sixth place. Salem’s wrestling team is taking steps toward becoming a big time program, head coach Kenny Beaumariage said.
“We’re getting better, [Jesse Slocum] qualified last year and he was our first in 10 years,” Beaumariage said. “He comes here and places. Things are just getting better and we want to get multiple placers. We want more kids down here.”
Heath’s wrestling style is frustrating for Beaumariage. Heath was inclined to only score a few points before running out the clock.
“He’s good at not doing anything and that’s why it’s a bad matchup for us. He beat us in districts because he didn’t do anything against us,” Beaumariage said. “He took him down once and reversed him and that’s it, he beat us 4-3.”
Friday’s match played out the same way, Heath got the first takedown before trying to stall Byland.
“He’s a good wrestler and he took me down off the bat, which wasn’t supposed to happen,” Byland said “That made it very close.”
Byland later tied the match up 2-2 and that score held until overtime. With 12 seconds left in OT, Byland picked up the sudden victory with just his second takedown of the match.
“I was just excited and ready to celebrate,” Byland said. “I had to leave it all out there, it’s my senior year and that could have been my last match.”