The Centralia boys needed to win certain matches to win on the road on Thursday night.
The Panthers beat Mexico 39-36, picking up four pinfall victories and wins via technical fall and major …
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The Centralia boys needed to win certain matches to win on the road on Thursday night.
The Panthers beat Mexico 39-36, picking up four pinfall victories and wins via technical fall and major decision. Waylon Adkisson at 113 pounds and Marshall Kable at 285 won close decisions, 11-9 over Carlos Juarez Ramirez and 4-1 over Travis Shramek, respectively.
Head coach Luke Gramke said Adkisson and Kable demonstrated what Centralia wrestling wants from its kids.
“I was really proud of Waylon and Marshall continuing to wrestle hard,” Gramke said. “That’s what we preach to our kids in the lineup. Just wrestle hard.”
Gramke added Adkisson’s brother, Walker, wrestled a tight match as well before pinning Israel Hernandez-Jarquin after being bumped up to 150 pounds. He said that was necessary to better fill out Centralia’s lineup that has been affected by sickness and injury.
Gramke said two-time reigning state runner-up Juarez Ramirez had defeated Waylon Adkisson multiple times this season, including a 12-2 major decision, but the Adkisson securing an early lead helped in a match that was tied at 9 in the third period. He said the same was true for Kable against Shramek, who “does a really good job,” as he picked up an early takedown.
“We’re not focused on the outcome,” Gramke said. “If you go out there and put six hard minutes together or seven hard minutes, eight hard minutes or whatever it’s going to take. If you wrestle as hard as you can and put yourself in positions that you feel comfortable with, we’re going to be happy with the outcome no matter what.”
Charlie Robinson is a kid who has exemplified that philosophy for Centralia. The junior earned his 100th career win in a dual a week prior against Blair Oaks. Robinson is a two-time state medalist, including as the Class 1 state runner-up at 132 pounds.
Robinson is one of several wrestlers with accomplished backgrounds in the Centralia lineup along with names such as fellow state finalists Rex Bryson and Louis Suddarth. Gramke calls him “the prototypical Centralia wrestler” because he wrestles hard no matter the score.
“If you lay hands on him, I promise you that you’re not going to want to do it again,” Gramke said. “He’s been a significant member of our team ever since he entered high school. For him to get his 100th win this early in his junior year is a testament to the success he’s had.”
Centralia has won duals recently against Southern Boone, Moberly and Blair Oaks. The Panthers have also defeated programs such as Odessa and North Callaway in a matchup between the top two Class 1 teams in Centralia.
“We have them in the right mindset because they look forward to those big matchups,” Gramke said. “North Callaway was a great atmosphere and bringing Odessa to town was a great atmosphere. Coming (to Mexico on Thursday) was a great atmosphere. Our kids genuinely get excited about those marquee matchups, and they like that thrill.”
