Mechanicsburg’s loss of Black called ‘devastating’

The state qualifier, who strained his shoulder last season, has a separation.

Mechanicsburg High School's Austin Black (left) wrestles Liberty Center's Zach Niner during last season's state tournament in Columbus. Last week, Black injured the same shoulder that is wrapped in this photo and is out for the season. STAFF PHOTO BY BARBARA J. PERENIC

Barbara J. Perenic Mechanicsburg High School's Austin Black (left) wrestles Liberty Center's Zach Niner during last season's state tournament in Columbus. Last week, Black injured the same shoulder that is wrapped in this photo and is out for the season. STAFF PHOTO BY BARBARA J. PERENIC

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer 10:39 PM Wednesday, December 28, 2011

One of the area’s best returning wrestlers will not get a chance to prove it, thanks to an injury suffered last week.

Mechanicsburg High School junior returning state qualifier Austin Black injured his shoulder during a dual meet Dec. 21 at Covington.

“He had a bad separation. It was way out of place,” said Mechanicsburg coach Brady Hiatt on Wednesday. “It was the same shoulder that he hurt at districts last year. But last year’s injury was just a strain.

“It was in the shoulder he had the brace on, too, and he said he hadn’t had problems with it from the end of the season until now. He’s pretty much done for the season.”

For the Indians, ranked fourth in the latest Division III state coaches poll, it’s a devastating loss.

“We’ve had maybe five guys in school history who qualified for state tournament as a sophomore, so it’s a big blow to the program,” said Hiatt. “But right now, we’re more concerned with making sure he is healthy for his life. In the big picture, this is just high school wrestling.”

The Indians were counting on big things from Black.

“He was one of our big four coming into the season as far as scoring points for us,” said Hiatt. “He could have been pushing for top four in the state. He’s probably one of the better athletes I’ve ever coached. He had all the natural ability to be even a better wrestler than he was. His upside was huge.

“It’s just the sad, bad side of sports. You know it is part of it, but you hope and pray it doesn’t happen to your guys. This time, it hit us.”

Wildcats on the rise: After a third-place finish in the Catholic Central Invitational last Thursday, Springfield has high hopes heading into its first Greater Miami Valley Wrestling Coaches Association Holiday Classic today at Wright State University.

“We do our best in the tournament format,” said Wildcats coach Virgil Goodwine. “We give up too many weight classes to do well in duals.”

The Wildcats give up forfeits in the first four weight classes. But that won’t matter as much today.

“Our strengths are in the upper weights,” he said. “We’ve got a chance to place in a couple of weight classes, especially at 182 and 220.”

Goodwine says the GMVWA is a reward for his program.

“We earned the right the last couple of years,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for our guys.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364.

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