Martin, Brown Qualify to State Tournament
Both Make Top 12; Martin Medals 7th
In a season that has been marked by numerous highs and lows, two Spartans were able to reach the ultimate stage - the Virginia AAA State Tournament held at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, VA. For Timmy Brown, a Sophomore at 106, it was his first trip to the big show and an incredible improvement over a season ago.
"Last year, poor Timmy was 0-13 and 20 lbs under weight," said Totaro of his tough lightweight. "This year, the only two words that can describe him are 'tough' and 'determined' - plain and simple.
Those two words could not describe the 98 lb terror better as he has wrestled much of the season fighting to hit triple digits on the scale. But, on the mat, speed and toughness rule, and Brown used just that to defeat his Salem opponent to win his first State match of his career; a major step for a young wrestler. Timmy would end the first day 1-2, placing in the Top 12.
The story for Tarkan Martin was much different as this was his 3rd straight trip to the State Tournament, but the first two trips had not ended the way he had hoped.
"Yeah, getting sick the week of the State tournament definitely sucked last year," said Martin of his 1-2 performance at Robinson in 2012. "But this year, I finally reached my goal and beat guys I never have before along the way."
Martin, who was injured for over a month earlier in the year, almost saw his chances at a 3rd State Tournament ended when Willie Inserra of North Stafford wrenched his shoulder and incapacitated Tarkan for much of December and early January. Martin would fight back from injury, but struggled to find his 'true form' until early February - just in time for the postseason.
"He just didn't look like Tarkan; making mistakes, little things just looked sloppy," said Josh Costa, assistant coach for Broad Run. "He fixed it all though, and even added a few things and peaked exactly when you want to see a kid peak."
The coaches thought that peak was at the Regional tournament when Martin notched his 100th win and a 3rd place finish to qualify for the State Tournament. Little did they know that Tarkan, who would have to see Brock Jacobsen of Edison, would be able to upset Jacobsen after losing by major decision to him earlier in the year. With the win came what Tarkan had been working towards for 4 years; a State Medal.
After losing his next match, Martin would need to settle for 7th or 8th place, but would face another former opponent who had defeated him earlier in the season - Willie Inserra.
In a story that seems like something out of an ESPN360, Martin was more ready for Inserra than ever before. Knowing Inserra would look to throw and run a deadly leg series, the plan was to beat him on his feet, and the plan was followed perfectly.
Martin started by scoring the first takedown and releasing Inserra, and followed it up with 2 more takedowns to take a 6-2 lead. Following injury time from Inserra, Tarkan would continue the neutral attack, being taken down only once late in the third period, while scoring a total of 6 takedowns in the match and avenging a loss that almost never let him get to this point.
"It is all just surreal. I can't believe it's all over." Tarkan expressed, as he looked back on four years with the program. But with the 7th place medal, Martin adds an impressive group of All-State wrestlers in the Broad Run Program.
Check out the next post to see the entire list of All-State Wrestlers from Broad Run Wrestling.
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