By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- When Jackson senior Sean Byrnes took a 1-0 lead into the third period of the NJSIAA Region VI 145-pound final against Brick Memorial's Steve Santos, it looked like he was in fantastic shape. Byrnes, however, thought otherwise.
"I was really, really nervous out there," Byrnes said. "He's better than me on my feet and the last match we had he rode me out for around four minutes and reversed me, so I knew I would have a real tough match."
Byrnes' abilities from the top position won out, however, as he was able to hold Santos down for the entire third period to come away with a 1-0 win and his first region title.
"This has been my goal since eighth grade," Byrnes said. "I set two goals I really thought I could achive, winning a region title and getting 100 wins and now winning this, I couldn't be happier."
Byrnes and Santos wrestled earlier in the season with Byrnes winning a classic 3-2 four-overtime thriller when Jackson and Brick Memorial met in the Central Jersey Group IV final. That made the possible meeting of Byrnes and Santos in the Region VI final one of the most anticipated bouts of the tournament.
"The first time it was a really good match," Byrnes said. "He's a great wrestler and we've been working out together since seventh grade. When we got to the third period I wasn't sure I could ride him out, he's a short little powerhouse. I just wrestled as well as I could and it worked out."
Click here for more highlights from Sean Byrnes
Click here for more highlights from Steve Santos