The restraints are off. Watch out, Ohio.
A new mentality carried sophomore Najee Lockett to two victories on Friday at the Division I OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament, onto the consolation semifinals tomorrow morning at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
Following Thursday evening's win in the first round at 160 pounds, Lockett found himself in a tough match with Nevan Snodgrass of Kettering Fairmont on Friday. The contest did not end quite the way Lockett wanted, as Snodgrass emerged with a narrow 6-5 decision. But Lockett learned plenty, turning the loss into an eventual pair of wins.
Lockett first soared to an 8-5 win over Cole Foor of Pataskala Watkins Memorial in his first consolation bout on Friday afternoon. Then the dynamic sophomore used takedown after takedown to easily subdue LaSalle's Trey Sizemore, 11-6.
"During the first match, I unrestrained myself from any negativity so that I could see my own ability. As a result of seeing what I was able to do, I started to believe in myself more," Lockett said. "As a result, I started to wrestling every match to my ability. Now, my mind and my body are in accord in regards to what I'm able to do."
The mental shift led to a noticeable shift physically on the mat for Lockett. While still utilizing his intense, quick style, Lockett hesitated less and attacked more.
"I'm much more assertive, I'm much more free," Lockett said. "I'm liberated from all of the restraints that have been established upon me by myself. I'm able to fulfill my own ability and wrestle at my optimal level without anything delaying or holding me back."
The wise-beyond-his-years grappler also plans on altering his preparations in anticipation of facing Luke Reicosky of North Canton Hoover, who dipped and dodged his way to a win over Lockett earlier this year.
"I'm going to utilize affirmations to reaffirm myself and what I'm able to do. I'm going to make sure I don't restrain myself or resist myself because I finally know what I'm able to do and I'm going to leave it out there."
Meanwhile, Michael Drobnick won a match before losing in the consolation quarterfinals, leading him to the seventh-place bout at 195 tomorrow morning.
Drobnick won his first bout of the day, beating Newark's Levi McKee in the sudden victory period, 3-1. Following a break, Drobnick wrestled Michael Baker of LaSalle.
Battling an injury, Drobnick gritted it out against Baker, but could not muster enough to beat his opponent. Baker won via a tech fall, 15-0, as Drobnick would not allow him the satisfaction of a win via fall.
With the loss, Drobnick will rest up and prep for the seventh place match tomorrow vs. Ashton Spurgeon of Mount Vernon.