King High Wrestler Claims State Runner-Up Medal

LAKELAND — King High junior Jacob Wasserman has a long-standing rivalry with Armwood's Donoven Hough.

Hough defeated Wasserman the last three times they wrestled. In Class 2A's 106-pound final Saturday at the state finals, Wasserman hoped things would be different.

They nearly were.

Hough (49-3) scored a takedown to go up 2-0. Then Wasserman escaped a hold and closed the score to 2-1. However, Hough held on, and Wasserman (35-4) accepted the silver medal.

Temple Terrace Patch caught up with Wasserman after the big match.

Patch: How do you calm your nerves before an important match like that?

Wasserman: I pace back and forth. I listen to music, hard rock or rap.

Patch: Which groups/artists do you listen to?

Wasserman: Eminem or Rise Against.

Patch: What's going through your head just before the whistle?

Wasserman: I'm focusing specifically on the match itself; how it's gonna go. I guess I kind of play it out in my head.

Patch: How tough was this 106-pound bracket?

Wasserman: Pretty tough. I had to wrestle two top-ranked guys just to get here.

Did you attend the state wrestling finals in Lakeland? Upload your photos to this story or post a comment to congratulate our local wrestlers.