Central Columbia senior wrestler Eric McCracken uses his quickness in his 220lb weight class to dismantle his opponents. Once he has them on the ground his strength and endurance takes over. It's these two ingredients that have allowed him to win over 100 matches in four years of varsity wrestling.
"Given all the experience getting down to states it takes all the nerves away. Like the first time I got all that out. This year should be a different story," said Eric McCracken.
"I really believe he gets there this year and it's not going to be. It's not going to be a deal where I'm happy to be there. It's going to be I'm on a mission," said Todd Cummings.
The 220lb weight class houses mostly athletic rugged football players. McCracken being one of them. Last year Eric won the district championship and finished behind Eric Laytos at regionals.
"I would like to get to the state tournament, and get as far as I can get myself a medal for my school," again said Eric.
"He's an athlete. There's a difference between 220 wrestling and heavyweight wrestling. I think the best of them at 220 have to move like smaller guys and Eric's capable of that," again said Todd.
Eric will be busy wrestling the next few weeks with team duals starting next Wednesday and the finals Saturday February 2nd at Milton high school. This same Central team lost to Wyalusing last year in the final, but still made it to the Giant center. This year they would like to go down to Hershey as the 1 seed.
"Alot of good wrestling coming up big team stuff hopefully it's all honing everyone for the post season also," added Todd.
It's time. It's a new year. Everyone knows how we finish off these Newswatch 16 sports stories with? Pushups. Yes. Eric take us out. Down 1. Down 2. Down 3.