Brashear Wrestler Keeps Chalking up More ‘Firsts’
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
It’s another first for Brashear’s Godwin Nyama
In January, Nyama became the first City League wrestler to win a title at the Allegheny County Tournament.
This summer, Nyama, a Mount Washington resident, became the first City League grappler to compete in a national tournament. He actually participated in two national tournaments, both sponsored by USA Wrestling.
“Godwin qualified for Cadet Nationals by placing third in freestyle at the state tournament,” said Brashear coach Nate Geller, referring to the Pennsylvania Amateur Wrestling Federation championships, which took place at Bellefonte High School in June. “He’s the first City League wrestler to compete in a national tournament. That’s quite an honor.”
Cadet Nationals took place last week at the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University. Nyama competed in the 112-pound weight class and posted a 3-2 record. He was one of 47 Pennsylvania wrestlers who competed in the Cadet freestyle tournament.
“I won my first two matches, then lost to the eventual third-place finisher [Sam Brancale of Minnesota],” said Nyama.
Nyama posted one more victory before exiting the 87-man bracket with a loss to New Jersey’s Troy Heilman.
“It was a great experience,” Nyama said. “The competition I faced at Fargo can only help as a I prepare for my junior year at Brashear. The only negative was the 18-hour bus trip.”
The trip to Fargo was actually Nyama’s second taste of national competition.
“After I qualified for Cadet Nationals, I got a call from [PAWF chairman] Van Plocus,” Nyama said. “He invited me to join a Pennsylvania all-star team that would be traveling to Oklahoma City for the Junior National Duals. I jumped at the opportunity to wrestle in a tournament that would help prepare me for Cadet Nationals.”
The Pennsylvania All-Stars competed in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, but did not place among the top eight in either style. Pennsylvania was 2-4 in the Greco-Roman competition, then posted a 7-3 mark in the freestyle tournament.
“I had a 3-3 record in Greco-Roman and was 7-3 in freestyle,” Nyama said. “It was a lot of wrestling in four days, but it was very beneficial. It gave me a taste of what to expect when I got to Fargo.”
Nyama and his Pennsylvania teammates also visited Stillwater, Okla., the home of Oklahoma State University and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“Oklahoma State’s wrestling room is in the same building as the Wrestling Hall of Fame,” Nyama said. “The wrestling room is on the second floor, just above the Hall of Fame.”
Nyama has been a fixture in Brashear’s lineup since his freshman year. He’s won back-to-back City League titles, both at 103. He posted a 19-10 record as a freshman, which included a 1-2 record at the Class AA Southwest Regional.
Last season, Nyama improved to 33-3, but suffered the same fate at the regional tournament.
“I won in the first round, then faced Clearfield’s Christian Stone [in his next match],” Nyama said. “I had a 6-5 lead with 45 seconds left in the third period. I got called for stalling, so I took a shot to make sure I didn’t get another stalling call.”
Unfortunately, Stone countered Nyama’s shot and caught him in a spladle and held him for the rest of the period. Stone posted a 10-6 victory and went on to claim the regional title.
“A win would have given me a PIAA berth,” Nyama said. “Instead, I dropped to the consolation bracket and was pinned in my next match. It was really tough to get mentally prepared for that match. I was that close to a trip to Hershey, but let it slip away.”
That’s why Nyama has been working so hard during this offseason.
“I told Godwin to take a break after the season ended, but I don’t think he took off much time,” Geller said. “He is so dedicated. He’s the hardest working kid I’ve ever been around. He wants to wrestle in the PIAA tournament.”
Nyama has been working out with the Pitt Wrestling Club.
“I’ve been working out with them almost every day,” Nyama said. “My goal is to wrestle at Pitt someday.”
Nyama said he would like to attend the University of Pittsburgh’s medical school as well with hopes of becoming a doctor.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10210/1075875-364.stm#ixzz0vZWZqOAS
Brashaer High School’s Godwin Nyama became the first City League wrestler to win a title at the Allegheny Countytournament, which was held at Fox Chapel High School this past weekend. Nyama won the 103-pound weight class title with a convincing 12-4 victory against Central Catholic’s Justin Alexander. Nyama also received the Brotherhood of Wrestling Award.