| CLIFTON PARK -- It took Hunter
Meys just 50 seconds to accomplish a goal he's been building toward
since starting his wrestling career as a third grader.
The 189-pound Shenendehowa senior set a national high school record
for career falls with a pin of Ian Morgan of Cathedral High of
Springfield, Mass., Saturday morning at the Shenendehowa
Invitational. Meys went on to win his weight class. With the
opening-round victory, Meys eclipsed the record of 188 pins, set by
Steve Mocco of Blair Academy (N.J.) in 2001.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," Meys said shortly after the
match. "I wanted to get off the mat pretty quickly. There were a lot
of people watching; that's usually not the greatest thing."
Meys opened the match by attacking Morgan's leg, forcing Morgan
out of bounds just as the match began. Soon after, both of the
freshman's shoulders were pinned to the mat, eliciting raucous
applause from a large crowd gathered by the circle.
"It's not a good way to make it in the record book," Morgan said.
"But I was beaten by a quality guy who deserves to be in the record
book."
Shenendehowa coach Rob Weeks said he had confidence Meys could
become the record holder as early as his freshman season, in
2003-04. The Boston University-bound wrestler already had two
top-five finishes in the New York State Wrestling Championships,
with the majority of his victories coming by falls.
"Ever since he was in seventh, eighth or ninth grade, he pinned a
lot of opponents," Weeks said. "So we knew down the road it was
likely he would make a run at that."
Through the record-setting victory, Meys had consecutive pins in
his past 42 matches, including four at last year's state tournament,
capping an undefeated junior season. Though the national consecutive
pin record of 67, held by Pat McDade of Winnemucca Lowry High in
Nevada, is within reach, Meys was more concerned with winning the
tournament after his first victory of the day.
"I don't even know what it is," Meys said. "I don't even know how
close I am."
Meys' father, John, has greater ambition for his son once he
concludes his wrestling career.
"I wouldn't mind seeing him go to UFC after he graduates from
Boston University," John Meys said. "I guarantee you, he would do a
number on some of those judo and martial arts guys."
Matt Rybaltowski, a local freelance writer, is a frequent
contributor to the Times Union.
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