By STEVE SINISKI
Normally defensive-minded battles, this championship bout turned into an offensive showcase as both Palmer and Hanna went after each other from the start. Instead of clutching and grabbing and waiting for an opportunity to score points, the two wrestlers created their own opportunities.
³They both laid it all on the line,² Rams coach Mike Leonard said. ³They knew they had to open it up. He [Palmer] had a little more in his tank to go, and it was his time.²
The title win puts Palmer in the New York State Wrestling Championships to be held this Friday and Saturday at the Nassau Coliseum. ³We¹re doing the same thing that we¹ve been doing all along,² Leonard said of the preparation for this weekend, that now includes practicing with the All County team.
Leading at the time of the pin, Palmer (26-2 overall) had scored several takedowns among his offensive flurries and put the No. 2 seeded Hanna (30-4) on his back twice. The battle was far from one-sided, however, as Hanna forged his own lead on the scorecard and was able to put Palmer on his back as well.
³A lot of people were saying it was one of the best matches they¹ve ever seen in the last 30 years,² East Meadow coach Tom Reynolds said. ³It¹s the most exciting loss I¹ve ever been a part of.²
Though Palmer hasn¹t been a full-time wrestler, his experiences on the gridiron during the fall and the lacrosse field in the spring certainly helped keep him in the type of mental and physical shape needed on the mat. He even overcame an early season injury to hit his stride late in the dual meet season and continues to peak at the perfect time. ³His athleticism is tremendous,² Leonard said. ³He¹s strong and gifted.²
Palmer¹s road to the County Championship last weekend also included a win over the top seed in the weight class, Freeport¹s Tyshaun Patrick, and a pin of the No. 5 seed. ³The win [over Patrick] helped build his confidence and locked in his mind that he could beat anyone,² Leonard said. ³Only our coaching staff and him [Palmer] believed he could win [against Hanna]. Most guys still don¹t know who he is. He wrestled hard and was down almost every match. But the coaching staff designed a game plan for each match and he stayed focused.²
For anyone still in the dark about Palmer and his talents, now all they have to do is check the top of the 145-pound weight class or the additional accolades Palmer earned for his performance at the Nassau County Championships: Most Outstanding Wrestler and Champion of Champions.
While Palmer was the only Clarke wrestler to earn All County honors, his brother Kelly did score the first big upset of the tournament by toppling the No. 3 seed at 112 pounds, Uniondale¹s Al Sterling. Mike Grimes finished the tournament at 3-2, falling one victory shy of an All County placement at 171 pounds.
³We¹re trying to build a program and he [Mike Palmer] helped [teammates] to see there¹s a shot for anyone to win,² Leonard said. ³It doesn¹t have to be [a wrestler] from a big school.²
