WEST LAWN: Most wrestlers were all smiles walking around the Wilson High School gymnasium with that gold medal dangling from their neck.
Not Boiling Springs' Korbin Myers.
He was all business.
That's because Myers has tunnel vision. He has one goal in his high school career, and that is to bring an individual state title back to Bubbletown.
Myers took a step in the right direction Saturday. The Bubblers junior put in a solid six-minute workout to down talented Bethlehem Catholic sophomore Joey Gould 8-4 in the PIAA Southeast-AA Region 120-pound final.
“Ever since my freshman year, I've been really, really focused on getting that state championship around my neck,” Myers said. “This is just taking another step to next week.
“I'm just mentally and physically prepared for next week, and I will go to battle and do the best I can.”
Continued Myers, “It's hard to [enjoy this]. When you have that ultimate goal of winning a state championship, you set little goals along the way. This is one of those little goals, but the only thing that matters is March.”
Myers was wary of Gould's prowess on the mat. The Golden Hawks ace was taller and was capable of stealing a win.
That meant Myers had to be better on the feet. That was the case early on, as the two-time state placer scored a pair of takedowns to carry a 4-1 lead to the second period.
Myers didn't let up. Gould was handed an escape to start the second, and the Bubblers ace went to work, securing a double-leg takedown for an insurmountable lead.
“He's a very tough kid,” Myers said. “He's long and lanky and hard to score on. I knew if I could take him down, I wouldn't have to mess with him on the mat.
“Those guys, I mean, you try and tilt them, and they can step over and turn the match in a split second. I just did what I had to do on my feet to get the job done.”
Myers completed his title run with a takedown in the third. But like other great wrestlers he's watched over the years, he wasn't satisfied.
There is more work to be done this week at practice. Not just to become a better overall wrestler, but to climb to the top of the podium at Giant Center.
“You can never be satisfied with yourself,” Myers said. “I remember watching Jimmy Gulibon when I was in eighth grade. He would tech a kid and come off the mat shaking his head because he could have done something different.
“That's the mindset you got to have to be a great wrestler. I'm pleased right now, but you always have stuff you can work on to improve.”
Kyle Shoop (132) and Kyle Taylor (195) also made finals appearances for the Bubblers but fell short on the scoreboard.
Shoop battled Hanover hammer Ian Brown for the third straight week. In the first two outings, Brown outscored the Bubblers junior 37-8.
This one wasn't much different. Shoop kept it close through the first three minutes, but Brown opened up and took a 12-1 major decision.
“I'm closing the gap a little bit,” Shoop said. “It's just little things I'm doing wrong, things I will work on with coach Wright and coach Byers.
“My goal is still to make the state finals. I'm going to do the best I can and if I reach the state finals, anything can happen.”
Bermudian Springs' Tristan Sponseller made it look easy on a pair of first-period takedowns to take a 4-1 over Taylor, who couldn't get his offense going.
That's all that was needed. Sponseller, who is a spotless 39-0 on the season and ranked No. 1 in the state, added two more takedowns and earned a 9-2 decision.
“I think I'm the only kid he hasn't pinned in the postseason, so even though I got my butt kicked, I'm pretty happy,” Taylor said.
“I feel like I'm improving. I just have to open things up and get more aggressive on offense. If I can do that this week, I think I can do well at states.”