Contact | Subscribe | Advertise | Links | Youth | H.S. | College | Club | News/General
Cadet: Greco-Roman | Freestyle • Junior: Greco-Roman | Freestyle • Women
By Mike Cummings, The Forum
07/24/2002
Winning a national championship is special for the triumphant athlete.
It means finally reaching the pinnacle in your sport; becoming the best in the country.
Team Michigan wrestler Chase Metcalf had a different reason for wanting to capture the Junior Greco-Roman tournament's ultimate prize.
He didn't want to feel left out.
"My brother (Brett) won yesterday (in the Cadet competition), and I didn't want him to show me up," said the Davison, Mich. product, who is planning to wrestle at the University of Michigan next year. "He's getting cocky, so I have to keep him in line."
In order to become the second member of the Metcalf family to win a Greco-Roman national title, Chase needed a last-second takedown to rally from a six-point deficit and defeat Minnesota's Quincy Osborn 9-7 in the 130-pound finals Tuesday at the Fargodome during the USA Wrestling National Championships.
"I was kind of caught off guard right away, but I know it's never over until it's over," Metcalf said.
Osborn, who will attend the University of Minnesota this fall, took a 6-0 lead over his future Big Ten rival after the first period, but could not put his opponent away.
Metcalf fought back to force a 7-7 tie and won the bout on a two-point takedown just inches inside the mat.
"I think I got caught up in just trying to keep my lead," Osborn said. "I should have put him away, but I went into coast mode."
While Metcalf was the victor Tuesday night, he acknowledged the fact that he and Osborn could tussle again in the near future.
"I'd heard of him before this, but never wrestled against him," Metcalf said. "He's a tough kid. There's a probability that I could see him again if we stay in the same weight class."
Minnesota's Quincy Osborn grimaces as he begins to hoist Michigan's Chase Metcalf during their 130-pound match Tuesday at the Fargodome. Photo by Dave Wallis / The Forum
Mooney future uncertain
Last year's 98-pound Greco-Roman National Champion Gabe Mooney is unsure about following in his brother's footsteps at North Dakota State.
"I like that it's close to home, but I still need to find out if they're going to have probation (for moving up to the Division I level)," said Mooney, who finished seventh at 105 pounds in Junior Greco-Roman.