Sports
Cougar Wrestlers Make Medal Stand at States
Durant High's Darrien Kelly took fourth place and teammate Chase Haley finished sixth at the state wrestling finals Saturday in Lakeland.
LAKELAND — Durant High placed two wrestlers on the medal stand Saturday at the state finals at The Lakeland Center.
Junior Darrien Kelly (38-12) lost his opening match of the finals but rallied to finish 4-2 and claim the fourth-place medal at 120 pounds in Class 3A.
Senior Chase Haley (41-9) won his first two matches before tumbling to the consolation bracket. He would drop the fifth-place match to Bryan Betancourt of South Broward (39-4) yet still keep his place (sixth) on the stand.
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Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch caught up with Kelly after his match.
Patch: What is it like wrestling for Durant?
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Kelly: We have some good kids, good energy in there. We feel like when we compete, we have to do well.
Patch: What is going through your head before that opening whistle?
Kelly: No matter what, I'm not holding back.
Patch: What is the best wrestling advice you've ever received?
Kelly: Wrestle YOUR match, not your opponents.
