Olympic Heights steals back district title
WELLINGTON — Olympic Heights wrestling overpowered Wellington in a 30-28 district championship affair Friday night.
It was as close as it gets between the two premier wrestling programs in Palm Beach County, with the Lions ultimately securing victory through a series of early wins in the lower weight classes.
Taking three of the first four matches, Heights took over a packed Wellington gymnasium to secure the top district spot.
The meet was temporarily put on hold when a Wellington wrestler injured his leg, prompting an ambulance call to get him treated.
After the delay, the meet restarted, albeit on a more somber note.
“Coach Gray has a well-established program and it was a hard-fought dual all the way,” Olympic Heights coach Leevy Mears said. “Our guys stayed on track and did a great job in the big moments.”
Here are three takeaways from Friday’s wrestling action.
Freshman Christopher Schnobrick gets Heights rolling early
The evening’s first match didn’t last long.
Schnobrick rode great use of his wing to a victory in the lowest weight class on Friday, overcoming just one moment of adversity en route to one of the more clearly one-sided matches.
“I’ve been working my wing, like a lot,” he said. “l think that’s what got me the pin and I think that’s what got me the win, too.”
One of just a few freshmen on the Heights squad, Schnobrick — who has been wrestling since seventh grade — finally has the opportunity to showcase what he can do at the varsity level, with Friday’s quick win the proof.
It was one of just a few pins during an evening that was dominated by closely contested matches and hard-fought points.
“It was a really easy match for me, I think,” he said. “Sure, he maybe caught me a little bit at one point, but I think it was pretty decisive and I think I went out in fashion.”
Adriel Pina defies rankings in match win
Pina showed his speed on the mat on Friday, bursting out of a feint to score points against his Wellington opponent.
The senior’s preparation for Friday was as consistent as ever.
“It’s the same story as every day,” he told The Post after his victory. “Wake up, practice, go to class, practice again, eat good, go to my third practice of the day. It’s a cycle I’m trying to continue.”
That cycle, which bore fruit on Friday against Sam Marvel, was paired with a very simple plan for victory.
“Don’t let the match get into my opponent’s hands,” Pina said. “Control the match. Control the circle. He’s a great opponent out there, obviously, ranked above me — but rankings are just rankings.”
There are no hard feelings from the win, however, as the two opponents embraced twice following the match, signifying respect dating back to Pina’s sophomore year in which the two regularly competed.
“It was a great match,” he said. “Great kid. Great wrestler. Nothing but respect for him.”
For Heights and Wellington, it’s probably not the last time
The two squads each have their own storied histories in Palm Beach County.
Dating back just one year ago, Wellington and Olympic Heights combined for eight representatives in The Post’s 2022-23 All-County boys wrestlers — with the Wolverines’ five and the Lions’ three wrestlers making up two-thirds of the total list of top wrestlers in the county.
This year should be no different evidenced by the close finish between the district champion and the runner-up, although it was a touch of redemption for Heights.
Still, both of these squads will continue making noise in regional meets, and both programs typically send their annual allotment to the state wrestling meet as well.
“We have a lot of respect for the Wellington program and look forward to potentially seeing them again in January at region duals,” Mears said Friday.