Crete's Smith survives classic battle

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BY KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star

OMAHA — It was all about class, respect and honor for Marcus Smith of Crete and Chris Leak of Boys Town.

Smith, an all-state football player who will walk on at Nebraska, scored a single-leg takedown with 13 seconds left to rouse the Qwest Center crowd and win the Class B 189-pound championship with a 3-2 decision.

Leak, who had lost just once this season, sank to his knees and applauded Smith. Smith turned and hugged Leak and thanked him for the match.

“That was what wrestling is all about,” said Crete coach Matt Anderson.

Smith, who lost to Leak earlier this year, said he had to be patient but score before the end of the third period. “No way did I want this to go to overtime,” he said.

Throughout the match, the two wrestlers cautiously circled and prodded each other, looking for an opening, a mistake, a move that put the other off-balance.

Smith scored a one-point escape in the second period and Leak tied the match with an escape early in the third period.

The match was stopped while trainers mummy-wrapped Smith’s head for a deep cut on his forehead.

Then, seconds later, Smith crouched low, dove for Leak’s right leg and drove to get the takedown.

“They had my head and jaw wrapped up pretty tight, so it was a little hard to breathe and really hard to move my jaw, so I figured I better do something quick or I’d run out of breath,” Smith said.

“I got that low single in and started pumping my feet and pushing as hard as I could to try and get him down,” he said. “He is so tough and strong and I couldn’t let go or I might get into trouble.”

Anderson said Smith’s maturity and strength training made the difference for his wrestler this year. Smith finished second last year.

“I’ve waited a year, and I waited all day, just sitting around the motel room, watching TV, trying to relax and keep away from worrying about this match,” Smith said. “Looking back, it was all worth it. This was my last wrestling match. Now, it’s lifting and training for football.”