Baldwin‘s Coby Ravida is going for his third title Saturday on the second day of the Texaco/HHSAA Wrestling State Championships.
He nearly didn’t get to that point, though. He was down early and midway through his 120-pound quarterfinal match against Waianae’s Branson Magsayo before coming back for a resounding victory 14-4.
In Saturday’s semis, he faces Waiakea’s Rylan Smith.
“I have to go out with a bang,” Ravida said. “It is really important for me to finish all the way through. To show that I can do it. That I’m here. To prove I’m capable of wrestling in that league.
“I wasn’t in my zone (against Magsayo). I was kind of daydreaming. Sleeping. I was focused on trying to cut weight for the next day, so I wasn’t hydrated enough for that match. When I was down, I just had to pull myself up and continue to wrestle and not give up.”
Ravida talked about his Bears’ team chances.
“From what I’ve seen so far and the numbers we have, we have a slight chance of making it (to the title),” he said.
Ravida moved up a spot to No. 3 in the latest Hawaii Prep World pound-for-pound rankings before the state tournament. His state titles came at 106 as a sophomore and 113 as a junior after placing fifth at 106 as a freshman. He’s won MIL titles at 106 (twice), 113 and 120.
COMMENTS