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Notebook: ‘Aggressive’ Addi Rudolph places fifth at state for Central Crossing Comets
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Addi Rudolph was a little too passive on the mat, and the Central Crossing wrestler knew that had to change.
The Comets freshman “flipped a switch” this season, and that helped her to go on to place fifth at 101 pounds in the girls state tournament Feb. 20 and 21 at Hilliard Davidson.
Rudolph finished the season 12-2, going 7-2 in the district and state tournaments. Her only losses came against the eventual state champion, Hayley Snyder of Vincent Warren (17-1 technical fall in her district opener Feb. 14 at Olentangy Orange) and the state runner-up, Elyria’s Riley Banyas (8-0 in the second round at state). Snyder defeated Banyas 3-0 in the state final.
Notebook: Transformation leads to success for Central Crossing Comets wrestler Abel Garantche
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By his own admission, Abel Garantche was “pretty chubby” when he first stepped on the mat for the Central Crossing wrestling program.
Weighing in at 260-plus pounds, Garantche referred to himself as a “super heavyweight.” He wasn’t comfortable in his own skin and decided a change was necessary. Garantche dropped weight to wrestle at 220 and has found success on and off the mat.
Garantche was 21-4 overall before a quad Feb. 6 at Jonathan Alder. Last season, he was a Division I district qualifier, going 2-2 at 220 to finish 29-17.
Notebook: Central Crossing Comets wrestlers see practice time pay off
Coach Jamie Ramirez is learning more about his Central Crossing wrestling team despite limited competition.
The Comets saw their workouts in the practice room pay off with strong performances during the holiday break.
During a home quad Dec. 30, they defeated Westerville South 54-24 and Ready 54-16 and lost to Central District-power Delaware 36-30 to move to 5-3 in dual competitions.
“We’ve added quite a bit of duals,” said Ramirez, whose team opened OCC-Buckeye Division action Jan. 7 against Lancaster. “(Normally) by this time we would’ve had two or three tournaments.
Wrestling: Central Crossing working to overcome obstacles
Jamie Ramirez had never seen an offseason or preseason quite like this.
The 11th-year Central Crossing wrestling coach had little or no offseason with his team because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, while the preseason has been limited to practices featuring pods of nine wrestlers and a coach.
Ramirez said the coaching staff has needed to be creative as it prepares the wrestlers for the season, but he knows all programs are dealing with similar obstacles.
“We’re coming up with ways to make it work,” Ramirez said. “We’re working in pods of 10 and when the next group comes in, the first group goes over to the weight room.