Grygas savors 3rd at states
Charlie Grygas is a senior wrestler at Duanesburg.
On Saturday, Grygas earned third place in the state at 160 in Division II to finish his season at 48-3.
Q: You entered Saturday knowing two straight wins nets you a state championship. What was the mindset after losing in the semifinal?
A: It was really heartbreaking, of course, working all season toward a goal and don’t reach it. That stings pretty hard, but it was really important — and my coaches emphasized it — that I get past that sting and get third. I think I did a good job of getting past it and achieving that goal.
Q: I have seen top seeds and others with huge expectations drop a semifinal at states and fall apart. How proud are you that you were able to win two tough matches to collect third?
A: I was pretty proud. I knew it was something I was capable of. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I wasn’t that surprised I did it. With the sting of the loss in the semifinals, it was a melancholy feeling. It was good to end the season off with a win. I was happy with third, but I was still bummed out not to win a title.
Q: (Cory) Day, who beat you in the semifinals, defeated the No. 3, 2 and 1 seeds to win the title. What was it about him that gave you trouble?
A: He was so funky. It was almost like he was ready for everything I threw at him. Every time I got deep in him on a shot, he would fold over me and get into some tight scramble. It was a position I couldn’t work with. Through the match, it was pretty easy to hold him down the whole match. In the last ultimate wide out, I chose top and I thought I could hold him, but he was able to create a little space and get away. He had a good game plan and wrestled really well.
Q: You went to the states the last two years and went 2-2 as both a sophomore and a junior. Does that experience help you navigate through those last two matches to earn a podium finish?
A: Yes, the two years before definitely helped me and prepared me well to get rid of those nervous feelings and get used to the stage and handle that environment.
Q: What was it like to have Zack Lawrence, this year’s state Division II champion at 152 pounds, work with you and you work with him every day?
A: It has been absolutely phenomenal. He’s been the best practice partner anyone could be. Through the seasons every year, we beat the hell out of each other in the wrestling room and built each other up into great wrestlers. It has been awesome.
Q: I know you wanted a championship for yourself, but how happy were you to see Zack achieve his goal of a state title?
A: I feel really proud of him and I am really happy. I almost feel pretty satisfied with myself to be able to (help).
Q: I think Zack would be the first to say you earned a piece of that title, right? A: I feel like I helped a little.
Q: Are you going to continue wrestling in college or was Saturday’s tournament it for you?
A: I will do some offseason events with Journeymen Wrestling. I will definitely be wrestling somewhere in college. I have a few options. Probably not (Division) I. I just want to have fun with it. I don’t just want to live wrestling and have it turn into something I don’t enjoy.
Q: What was it about wrestling when you started that compelled you to stay with it?
A: I think it is the individualism of it. It is not a team aspect. It is just you, so all of the responsibility falls back on you. If you win, you get to eat up all the glory and if you lose, there is no one else to blame but yourself.
Q: Would you agree that wrestling is the ultimate responsibility sport, things such as the discipline of making weight?
A: I think wrestling teaches great life lessons like taking responsibility for your actions and to work hard for what you want to get. You can’t put anything on your teammates or expect them to carry any of the weight.
Q: You said earning a third left you with a melancholy feeling. You have had a day to digest it all. Third isn’t first, but you definitely would have been upset leaving Times Union Center without the best finish you could achieve after falling in the semifinals, correct?
A: Yes, for sure.
Q: Was winning those final two matches a huge fortitude test?
A: I am definitely proud I was able to come back. I know it is a big obstacle, guys doing the semi-slide where they lose and drop all the way to sixth.