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Cowburn to give fans money’s worth in Class AA final
By Guy Cipriano
Centre Daily Times
HERSHEY — On the first day of the PIAA Class AA Championships, Coudersport’s Dirk Cowburn took Fleetwood’s Cody Breiner down in two seconds. He then locked a cradle, ending the bout in 1 minute, 20 seconds.
Cowburn needed a brisk day here. Physical and mental anguish caused by handling multiple injuries rested beneath the joy of capturing two state titles as an underclassmen.
His sophomore season included a knee surgery two weeks before the District 9 tournament. A staph infection forced him to miss eight weeks last season.
The injuries impacted Cowburn’s conditioning and psyche entering the state tournament. He captured two 152-pound titles, anyway.
“It was real tough,” he said. “I made it through. I guess that’s what matters.”
Cowburn can become a three-time state champion by defeating Benton’s Eric Hess in today’s Class AA 160-pound final.
The matchup should prepare both wrestlers for college careers. Cowburn signed with Penn State last November. Hess, last year’s 145-pound champion, is headed to Lehigh. The hype surrounding today doesn’t faze Cowburn.
“We are both signed, we are both committed, we have no pressure,” he said. “We’re going to go out there and give the crowd what they come here to see, which is a great match.”
There are many reasons for Cowburn’s relaxed demeanor this weekend. He orally committed to Penn State last July, selecting the Nittany Lions over Oklahoma State and Nebraska to become the third member of the 2010 recruiting class. Cowburn is the only Class AA wrestler who has signed with Penn State, although Shady Side Academy 130-pounder Frank Martellotti will join the program as a walk-on.
The early commitment has allowed Cowburn (48-1) to wrestle aggressively this weekend. He majored Montoursville’s Caleb Lomax 15-4 in the quarterfinals and used a cradle to pin Schuylkill Valley’s Ryan Maurer in 1:18 during the semifinals. Hess (40-2) also pinned his semifinal opponent, using an arm bar to turn and deck Fort Cherry’s Sam Guidi in 1:30.
Cowburn suffered his only loss when he moved up to 171 to face Lewisburg’s Nathaniel Brown in January. Brown, one of the state’s top juniors, also owns a win over Hess.
“Of course, you want to do good, you want to win a state title,” Cowburn said. “That’s what you are wrestling for. But just knowing the fact that I’m going to Penn State next year I don’t have to impress anybody. They want me. It’s definitely a big stress reliever.
The biggest reason for Cowburn’s upbeat mood is his health. Members of his inner circle, including his father, Dan, wondered whether he would even wrestle here as a junior and sophomore. Dan called last year’s title unexpected because the staph infection caused by a torn meniscus sustained during football season prevented Dirk from running, thus limiting his lung capacity. Dirk entered last year’s state tournament as a regional runner-up.
The Cowburns took measures to limit Dirk’s chances of injury this season. He didn’t compete at last summer’s Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., and he bypassed his senior football season despite his status as a star running back.
“The past couple of years we seemed to be worrying about other things instead of wrestling,” said Dan, who sits in his son’s corner here. “It got old real quick. This year, just being able to wrestle and being healthy. …What a difference. Everything is upbeat. Nobody worries anymore.”
Cowburn’s workouts are geared to prepare him for next season, when he will enter a practice room filled with talented middleweights. His primary workout partner is Aaron Wright, a former Penn State wrestler and 2000 state title finalist.
Wright, who sits in the corner with Dan, said he applies what he learned during his own workouts at Penn State into Cowburn’s training. Besides drilling, the workouts consist of moderate levels of live wrestling. Wright is a tired man these days. He receives only small respites.
“Some people might give me a 30- second break here or there,” he said.
Even a sore man can appreciate Cowburn’s work ethic.
“He gives 100 percent every practice,” Wright said. “He’s not afraid to learn when you show him something. He’s open-minded and will work very hard. There’s unlimited potential there.”
Cowburn will have more practice partners this summer. He’s planning to enroll at Penn State early. The decision gives him time to adjust to college classes and wrestling before the fall semester begins.
The only question is whether Cowburn, a projected 174-pounder will arrive on campus as a two-or three-time state champion.
“Last year it was a little iffy,” he said. “This year I’m healthy. I have no excuses. I’m in shape. If I lose, it’s my own fault. But that’s not the plan.”
Tags: Dirk Cowburn, Frank Martellotti
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