Prep Wrestling Insider: Springfield’s big four test each other

When combined, the Wildcats’ heavyweights sport a 93-6 record.

Devin Nye of Springfield tries to pin Austin Bolden of Fairborn at 220 pounds at the 18th Annual Northeastern Jets Wrestling Duals on Dec. 11. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Devin Nye of Springfield tries to pin Austin Bolden of Fairborn at 220 pounds at the 18th Annual Northeastern Jets Wrestling Duals on Dec. 11. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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Darryl Grayson of Springfield (back) wrestles Garret Watson at 182 pounds at the Clark County Clash on Jan. 7 at Shawnee High. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Darryl Grayson of Springfield (back) wrestles Garret Watson at 182 pounds at the Clark County Clash on Jan. 7 at Shawnee High. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer 10:56 PM Wednesday, January 11, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — “Big Country” is the nickname for Springfield’s undefeated sophomore, 220-pounder Devin Nye.

But it seems to fit the bottom third of the Wildcats’ lineup just as well.

Springfield’s four big boys are one of the best collections of upper weights an area school has put on the mat in many seasons, and that includes perennial national powerhouse Graham.

The bottom four weight classes — made up of senior Darryl Grayson at 182 pounds, senior Stewart Vlcek at 195, Nye at 220 and junior Aaron Cosby at 285 — have been Wildcat country (or Big Country, if you will) at any event Springfield has shown up at. Combined, they sport an incredible record of 93-6, with 61 of those wins coming by pin.

That’s a 94 percent winning percentage, folks!

“I think it’s just the competition in the room,” said Grayson when asked what has made them so dominant. “There’s four great heavyweights. We have more quality training partners. We push each other every day.

“I’m one of the lighter heavyweights,” he continued. “It helps me to constantly be tested by bigger guys. Now I can change my game also, so opponents can’t figure me out.”

They each bring something different to the mat, said Wildcats coach Virgil Goodwine.

“For Big Country (Nye), it’s been his athleticism,” he said. “He doesn’t like to lose. When he gets behind and feels danger, he turns it up. And Cosby is very quick and light on his feet, which helps him with the big guys.

“Vlcek is probably the best wrestler in the room as far as technique and takedown ability,” Goodwine continued. “But he had injuries at the beginning of the year, and then he got sick. That’s why his record isn’t quite as good as the others’.

“Grayson, he’s our senior leader. He’s so quick. He uses a lot of finesse, (which helps his bigger teammates see a different style daily).”

It also helps the big boys that their coach is a big boy also. Goodwine is a former state qualifier and a volunteer assistant with Russ Hellickson at Ohio State University. Former South standout Mike Plant, Springfield’s middle school head coach, also comes in and helps out.

“It’s easier for me to coach them because I can get out there and actually work with them on things,” Goodwine said.

For younger guys like unbeaten Nye, it’s the perfect storm.

“They beat me in practice a lot, but occasionally I’ll get a win,” he said. “They know exactly what I do, so they know how to handle me. But they make me better.”

They also hang out together. And they have a group goal — making the state tournament together.

“We’re been working hard trying to get there,” said Nye. “We want to go there together.”

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