By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- When you finish third in the state as a junior there are certain expectations people are going to place on you in your senior season. And as far as many were concerned, Brick Memorial senior Karon Reid had not lived up to those expectations.
That all changed on Saturday night in the Region VI 140-pound final.
Maligned much of the season and discounted as being able to win a crucial bout, Reid extracted some revenge on the opponent that gave him the most trouble during the season. Tied at two in the third period, Reid finally got the takedown he needed against Long Branch's Jon Robertson and extended his lead for a 7-2 victory and his second straight Region VI title.
"I just wanted to go out and prove to people that Karon Reid is still here," he said. "It's the greatest feeling in the world. I went from losing to (Howell's Cody) Fobes 2-1 with three seconds left, getting destroyed in the all-star match (against Delsea's Mike Baldosaro), losing to Robertson twice and getting cradled by Baker to winning a region title. People said I wasn't that good anymore and I wanted to prove to everybody that I didn't go anywhere."
Before defeating Robertson, Reid started his day off with a dominating 11-2 victory over Toms River East's Matt Frank, who was undefeated at the time. Reid looked like a different wrestler, the one that pinned in last season's Region VI final and took third in the state.
"I feel confident," Reid said. I sparked over this last week and I just started clicking. "It just feels so good right now."
Click here for more highlights from Karon Reid
Click here for more highlights from Jon Robertson