Parks' last-second takedown helps team, individual confidence
Logan Parks was waiting patiently for his opponent, Ben Lamantia of Michigan, to become desperate for a takedown.
Parks saw the opportunity, and he struck as time expired in the second overtime period of the 157-pound weight class match and sent McGuirk Arena into a frenzy.
The fifth ranked Wolverines won the dual convincingly, 32-12 on Sunday, Nov. 11 and pinned three Chippewas. Parks was one of three Chippewas to win their individual matches, and he did so in the last second.
“I was pretty tired, (head coach Tom Borelli) was in the corner talking to me and that really helped — knowing I had to win no matter what it took,” Parks, a junior from Taylor, said.
Though he’s the only junior on the squad, he was thrown into a leadership role after CJ Brucki, Jordan Ellingwood, Colin Heffernan, Hunter Rollins and Newton Smerchek graduated. The transfers of Justin Oliver and Mason Smith also left at the end of last season.
“It’s different, like last year I was a sophomore with five older guys and they were kind of the leaders,” Parks said. “This year it’s me and (senior Jordan Atienza). I just try to work hard for the freshmen and they see that. I’m not very vocal so I just have to put in the hard work and hopefully they see that and try to mimic that.”
Parks struggled his freshman season posting a 12-21 record at 165-pounds. He followed that season up with a big turnaround as he finished the 2017-18 season at 20-12 in the same weight class.
His turnaround came at the Mid-American Conference Championships his freshman year and that is where he gained the most confidence.
Before the 2017 MAC Championships, he would have lost that match to Lamantia.
“(I must keep) being consistent and trusting the process that the coaches give us and keep working hard,” Parks said.
