By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- The emotion had been building inside Harry Turner
for years and he finally got to release it on Saturday at the NJSIAA
Region VI Tournament.
The Howell senior defeated Long Branch junior Ameer Washington,
13-7, to capture the 2008 Region VI championship at 285 pounds. The
region title is the first for Turner as he joined teammate Joey Langel
at the top of the medal stand for the Rebels.
"It's a huge thrill to win a region title in my senior year," Turner said. "It's been a lot of fun."
Turner was prepared for a bout with Manchester's Jimmy Lawson, whom
he wrestled in the NJWCA All-Star Invitational and pinned in a
thrilling matchup. Washington, however, was able to turn the tables on
Lawson in the semifinals after Lawson had defeated him twice during the
regular season. That dramatically changed Turner's gameplan heading
into the final.
"It definitely changed up my strategy," Turner said. "I was looking
for a fast, athletic match but I had to change it up and watch the
upper body for throws. You want to make sure you don't get caught
underneath him."
Turner is now 40-0 after overwhelming Washington on his feet and
has his sights set on becoming Howell's first state champion since
Carlos Fontanez in 1965.
"When I won it was crazy," Turner said. "I just wanted to run and
jump everywhere. To get to AC is awesome. I'm excited to get down
there."
Click here for more highlights from Harry Turner
Click here for more highlights from Ameer Washington