2008 Woodie Awards
Brown steps in for injured Grayson
By: Aaron Vigneault
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: Sports
Steve Brown thought his sophomore year was over when the regular season ended.
But then he got news that brought about mixed emotions.
Fellow sophomore Tyler Grayson, who started most of the season at 157 pounds, suffered an injury that kept him out of the Mid-American Conference Championships.
"When I found out Tyler was hurt, I wasn't really prepared," Brown said. "I knew I needed to make some changes and needed to get ready the best I could to represent my team."
Brown, the No. 2 seed, beat Ohio's Clay Tucker 6-3 and Northern Illinois' Bryan O'Connor 7-3 to win the MAC title.
Brown said he did not want his first trip to the NCAA Tournament to come at the expense of a teammate, but he knows Grayson will be rooting him on.
"Working in the room, I carry that motivation," Brown said. "I want Tyler to know that his spot isn't going to be wasted with a backup in there."
Injury-plagued
Junior 165-pounder Trevor Stewart has battled injuries of both knees for most of the season and was beginning to feel healthy.
But now, Stewart has a cast on his hand.
"My knees are getting better, but now my broken hand is bothering me," Stewart said. "My first round at the MAC tournament was tough, but I am starting to get used to it."
Despite the injuries, No. 9 Stewart has put together the best season of his career. He beat Kent State's Kurt Gross 3-2 to earn his first MAC title.
Stewart goes to St. Louis with a 21-6 record.
"I think I can be a high All-American and national champion," Stewart. "I feel good about what I can do."
Looking for more
Three-time MAC champion and three-time national qualifier Brandon Sinnott finished seventh with All-America honors at last season's NCAA Championships.
However, Sinnott was disappointed with his performance.
Sinnott lost in the first round in last season in Detroit, but won four consolation matches. This year, Sinnott, ranked No. 4 at 174 pounds, wants to stay longer in the championship bracket.
"It gives me a lot of motivation. The last two years I've been beaten in the first round," he said. "I try and picture myself going out and wrestling a good, intense, smart match. This year I'll be a little more prepared and less nervous."
Sinnott said he expects nothing less than a national title.
"I've been thinking about it since I took seventh at the NCAAs," he said. "I know I'm better than that. I've been thinking and dreaming about being a national champion."
sports@cm-life.com
But then he got news that brought about mixed emotions.
Fellow sophomore Tyler Grayson, who started most of the season at 157 pounds, suffered an injury that kept him out of the Mid-American Conference Championships.
"When I found out Tyler was hurt, I wasn't really prepared," Brown said. "I knew I needed to make some changes and needed to get ready the best I could to represent my team."
Brown, the No. 2 seed, beat Ohio's Clay Tucker 6-3 and Northern Illinois' Bryan O'Connor 7-3 to win the MAC title.
Brown said he did not want his first trip to the NCAA Tournament to come at the expense of a teammate, but he knows Grayson will be rooting him on.
"Working in the room, I carry that motivation," Brown said. "I want Tyler to know that his spot isn't going to be wasted with a backup in there."
Injury-plagued
Junior 165-pounder Trevor Stewart has battled injuries of both knees for most of the season and was beginning to feel healthy.
But now, Stewart has a cast on his hand.
"My knees are getting better, but now my broken hand is bothering me," Stewart said. "My first round at the MAC tournament was tough, but I am starting to get used to it."
Despite the injuries, No. 9 Stewart has put together the best season of his career. He beat Kent State's Kurt Gross 3-2 to earn his first MAC title.
Stewart goes to St. Louis with a 21-6 record.
"I think I can be a high All-American and national champion," Stewart. "I feel good about what I can do."
Looking for more
Three-time MAC champion and three-time national qualifier Brandon Sinnott finished seventh with All-America honors at last season's NCAA Championships.
However, Sinnott was disappointed with his performance.
Sinnott lost in the first round in last season in Detroit, but won four consolation matches. This year, Sinnott, ranked No. 4 at 174 pounds, wants to stay longer in the championship bracket.
"It gives me a lot of motivation. The last two years I've been beaten in the first round," he said. "I try and picture myself going out and wrestling a good, intense, smart match. This year I'll be a little more prepared and less nervous."
Sinnott said he expects nothing less than a national title.
"I've been thinking about it since I took seventh at the NCAAs," he said. "I know I'm better than that. I've been thinking and dreaming about being a national champion."
sports@cm-life.com
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