By: JJ Conrad – staff writer / Record Sports Department
The crowd went crazy.
Garfield’s Jordan Robinson had put returning state third Jonathan Tropea of St. Joseph on the mat late in the 120-pound final of last year’s BCCA George Jockish Holiday Tournament.
Trailing by one with 20 seconds left, it appeared Robinson might have had the winning takedown to claim Garfield’s first individual county title since Luis Castillo accomplished the feat in 2000.
The call never came, though – and Robinson lost, 6-5.
“I think that made me think about how to be a better wrestler under pressure,” Robinson said. “Even with a loss, it was still a confidence booster. It showed me I have more potential to beat someone who was a top three kid in the state. Being that close. It’s something that’s definitely motivating me now, though.”
H.S. WRESTLING: Garfield wrestling holds high expectations
“That was a highly anticipated match,” Garfield coach Aaron Khan said. “We didn’t think Jordan was seeded correctly. He was sixth or seventh, but whatever it was, it didn’t bother him and he made the finals. Going against Tropea, a state placer every year, Jordan came in and shocked a lot of people. He was heartbroken afterward, but proud of the match.
“From that moment on, he realized how good he could be.”
Robinson rolled to a 34-5 record last year, challenging himself at every opportunity, en route to a top 12 finish in Atlantic City. Growing up, he was a state champion at the rec level and Khan called Robinson – who will vie for the 132-pound title at this year’s Holiday tournament – an “incredible athlete.” He’s now out to avenge last year’s runner-up finish at the Holiday tournament and take home an individual title as one of the favorites.
To continue reading this story:
