Wrestling: Minisink's Zack Ryder qualifies for World Championships

Bravissimo!

Zack Ryder headed into wrestling’s Under 17 cadet freestyle national championships trusting his abilities and relying on a belief he could win.

The Minisink Valley sophomore was lighter and quicker than his foes, knocked off a series of higher-ranked wrestlers and now he’s headed for the World Championships in Rome from July 25-31.

With a hip throw of Wisconsin two-time state champion Connor Mirasola, Ryder pinned his stunned foe to finish a sweep of Sunday’s best-of-three finals at 80 kilograms (176.6 pounds) in Las Vegas. An excited Ryder, 16, stood over his vanquished foe, flexed his arms and let out a shout of joy.

“I was like, I finally did it,’’ Ryder said. “All my hard work and my dedication and the extra practices, the extra hours, the blood, the sweat, the tears all paid off.’’

Ryder is a two-time state champion – he captured the 160-pound title in March, completing a 46-1 season. He is the Varsity 845 wrestler of the year.

Ryder headed into the World Team Trials with a quiet confidence, fully realizing his opponents were coming down in weight to make the 80kg class.

“I was going in there to wrestle, just to have fun,’’ Ryder said. “Going in, I had to believe in my training, which I did. I had to believe in my coaches and my support, just everything. I was just going in there saying, ‘I am the best of the best. I can compete with anybody.’

“I knew I had to wrestle quick, move my feet and not get caught up in situations that I couldn’t win because of my weight and it worked out and I won.’’

Ryder knocked off Mike Avelar of Arizona, 10-0, in the round of 16; Gabe Arnold of Georgia, 3-2, in the quarterfinals; and, Aeoden Sinclair of Wisconsin, 5-3, in the semifinals. He beat Mirasola, 8-0, in his opening match of finals. Ryder said all of these opponents had been nationally ranked in the top 15 in their respective weight classes.

In his opening match of the finals, Ryder seized a 3-0 lead late in the first period with a takedown. He maintained pressure in the second period with a series of leg attacks, pressuring Mirasola to retreat off the mat three times and gaining another takedown ahead of an 8-0 victory.

Ryder ran onto the mat for the start of the next finals match. He was pulling down on Mirasola’s head and worked himself into a position for the clinching pin.

“I was shaking off his hands and batting it down,’’ Ryder said. “I got into my underhook and I hit a hip toss and I ended the match with a pin.’’

“I’m not shocked at all,’’ said Minisink Valley coach Kevin Gallagher. “I never see him lose so it’s hard for me to ever doubt him.

“He doesn’t give up points. He’s so hard to score on. He’s so strong and he’s the best position wrestler I’ve ever seen.’’

If anything, Gallagher expressed surprise that Ryder was able to win the U17 division having just turned 16 and in his first national championship.

Ryder returned home to Westtown to find his bedroom decorated with red, white and blue decorations by his sisters and girlfriend. He also received plenty of support from Minisink teammates and classmates.

Ryder is excited about visiting Italy. “Everybody can book a vacation and go to Italy,’’ he said, “but nobody can say they’re on Team USA and they won the World Team Trials.

“Every wrestler that actually loves wrestling and enjoys the sport, this is always their goal. Everyone wants to make the USA World Team. You’re representing your country.’’

kmcmillan@th-record.com

Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Minisink Valley wrestler Zack Ryder to compete in World Championships