Page 43 - MAY SFM 2017

Bad Axe

Dylan Smith

Since 1991, Bad Axe has yet to see another state champion in wrestling.
Until the 2016/17 school year when senior, Dylan Smith, takes the chart by Hatchets
a one point lead against Bronson’s David Erwin. Once the final period was
over with, Dylan, who was ranked third most of the year, looked straight
at his coaches. ”They helped me get to the finals match and they knew
how much work I had to get there and they were able to keep me focused
throughout the season.” The result: 3-2, with Dylan’s hand being raised as
high as it ever has been. Smith finished his last year ever of wrestling with
a record of 47-4 and overall being 163-39. This Division Four 171 pounder,
especially has Zach Janderseki, Mauricio Diaz, and Coach Adam Holling-
sworth to thank for helping him reach the top spot by being the best prac-
tice partners. Smith help a captain position both his junior and senior year,
still unaware of what he will be pursuing in college, we have high hopes for
this leader. To remain ready for wrestling in the offseason, Dylan attends
wrestling camps, one being the Jeff Jordan State Champ Camp, held all the 2017
way over in Urbana, Ohio. A recommended pump up tune by Dylan Smith State Champ!
himself is Neverland by VanLadyLove. Struggling to come up with a way to
prepare yourself right before a match, Dylan warms up with some music.
“It pumps me up and I’m able to go into a match with confidence.” “Be-
ing prepared mentally and relying on your training,” is something Smith
won’t be missing as well as “Hip positioning and being able to wrestle out of
awkward positions.” An unlikely character to have gained Dylan’s respect
is his biggest rival, Willie Hartz, of Sandusky. They wrestled one another
almost every weekend. Smith views him as “a great competitor.” He has his
younger cousins who wrestle to look up to him now, Lamarion and Rylee
Robinson. Dylan is very thankful to have youth wrestling Coach Mark
Prescott teach him the basics and help him stick to his passion of wres-
tling, along with Mark Robinson helping out when he could. Last match
ever and he went out with the biggest bang a Hatchet has yet to make.

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