Rocky ride brings honors

Shawnee senior and KR coach show how challenges can make a wrestler stronger.

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer Updated 12:02 AM Saturday, March 12, 2011

It has been a rocky ride for both of this year’s News-Sun All-Clark County Wrestling Team top honors winners.

Shawnee senior Nathan Silvus and Kenton Ridge coach Landon Pierce know all about resilience, both showing it to nab the county’s Wrestler of the Year and Coach of the Year honors.

Silvus was 48-5 overall this season and finished his Braves career with a 143-41 record. But he’s had his ups and downs

“My freshman year wasn’t too great, but I did a lot of work in my off-season and made it to state as a sophomore,” said Silvus. “Then I made it on the national team, and after that, I think I got burned out a little.

“My junior year wasn’t so great, but I was real happy with this season,” he continued. ““It’s been a little hectic.”

But it has been memorable, according to Shawnee coach Rick Allen.

“He’s definitely in the top 10 all-time coming through the program,” said Allen. “He’s worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to get where he is. He’s been a lot of fun to work with.”

Allen didn’t hesitate when asked about Silvus’ best qualities.

“Determination,” he said. “That, and turning a negative into a positive, which is what he’s been good at doing.”

So has Pierce and his Cougars. The veteran mat mentor was expecting a big year this year.

“We thought we had a really strong freshman class coming in,” he said. “We thought we had Devin Nye (a district qualifier for Springfield High School) and a few others in the freshman class, but that didn’t happen. Then with our 119-pounder out, that was tough. And then with Joe (Quisenberry) and his mother (who was critically injured in a car crash three days before the district tourney). It’s been a tough year.”

But through it all, the Cougars persevered, finishing as Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division champs and D-II sectional runners-up.

“The kids we had in the room all wanted to be there and work hard, so I can’t complain,” he said. “They all reached their potential. I can’t be dissatisfied.”

KR ended up sixth at districts and sent two to the state tournament, and both placed.

“Without my assistant coach, Sean Scaglia, we wouldn’t have had the success we’ve had this season,” said Pierce. “It’s almost like he’s a co-head coach. Without him, I don’t know what I would have done.”

ALL-CLARK COUNTY WRESTLING

FIRST TEAM

103 Marshall Miller, Catholic Central N/A

112 Preston Bowshier, KR 33-10

119 Cameron Pierce, Northeastern 7-6

125 Caleb Bostick, Shawnee 26-10

130 Keegan Shillito, Greenon 22-11

135 Baylor Deselem, Northeastern 32-13

140 Joe Quisenberry, KR 31-3

145 Seth Scaglia, KR 31-6

152 Mason Sherrock, Northwestern 31-5

160 Levi Cauley, Northeastern 39-6

171 Darryl Grayson, Springfield 33-2

189 Zeke Eier, Tecumseh 27-4

215 Nathan Silvus, Shawnee 39-1

285 Lucas Sparks, Shawnee 25-10

SECOND TEAM

103: Ben Sellers, Kenton Ridge; 112: Jessy Reeder, Northeastern; 119: Anthony DeCarlo, Central; 125: Devon Kaffenbarger, Northeastern; 130: Justin Parcells, Northeastern; 135: Travis Jones, Tecumseh; 140: Marcus Reeder, Northeastern; 145: Cole Howard, Northeastern; 152: Chuck Buchanan, Tecumseh; 160: Troy Nave, Catholic Central; 171: Anthony Cole-Young, Kenton Ridge; 189: Stewart Vlcek, Springfield; 215: Devin Nye, Springfield; 285: Tyler Devore, Greenon.

Nathan Silvus

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