100 and counting
BUTLER TWP — Through its first 19 years, the Butler High School wrestling program produced two 100-win matmen.
It's produced four in the past two seasons.
Cole Baxter and Mike Crawford graduated last year as the Golden Tornado's all-time winningest wrestlers. Seniors Dakoda Collins (111 wins) and Zach Reges (101) cracked the 100-mark this season.
“Our schedule has been much tougher the last few years, too,” Butler coach Scott Stoner said. “Our wrestlers hasve elevated their skill set to meet the demands of that schedule.”
Consistency has been the key for Collins and Reges. Neither has ever won fewer than 20 matches in a season.
Collins, who has competed at 145 pounds through 160 in his prep career, has 63 career pins, including seasons of 17, 18 and 20 this year. His takedown total over the past four years is 42, 33, 45 and 45.
Reges has competed at 119 pounds through 132 in his career. He has 46 career pins — including years of 11, 12, 12 and 11 — and Reges' takedown totals over four years are 31, 31, 33 and 29.
Reges has been wrestling since third grade, Collins since sixth.
“Ever since I started wrestling, I wanted to join the 100-win club,” Reges said. “I know how hard it is to win that many.
“I lost four in a row there late in the year and was getting a little worried.”
Reges made up for that skid last weekend at the 16-team Uniontown Duals, winning all five of his matches to reach 100. His 100th triumph came via decision over Hampton's Chris Olszewski.
Olszewski had hung a 7-3 loss on Reges during Hampton's section championship victory over Butler earlier this season.
“It felt good to get the 100th win against a qualitty kid — especially one who beat me earlier,” Reges said.
That win wasn't the biggest in Reges' career, however. That came during the Golden Tornado's 32-31 victory over then unbeaten Hampton, when Reges decisioned Kevin Synan at 132 in the final match of the night before a packed house in Butler.“By far, the biggest win I've ever had ... I value that night more than the 100 wins,” Reges admitted.Stoner said Reges' personality defies his wrestling persona.“You see him in the halls at school, you wouldn't think he's a wrestler because of his quietness,” Stoner said. “Yet he's matured into one of the leaders on this team.“Zach had 11 or 12 close losses his freshman and sophomore years because of inexperience. He learned how to turn those into wins.”Reges needs three wins to pass T.J. McCance for fourth on Butler's all-time victory list. Collins needs seven wins to tie Crawford for second on that list.“That's something I have my sights on,” Collins admitted. “I want to get to Hershey and I'm going to need a number of wins to get there.”Stoner said Collins doesn't use speed or quickness on the mat. He has more of a deliberate style.“He's a predator who takes his prey and snuffs the life out of it,” Stoner said. “Dakoda knows how to finish a match.”While Collins has 63 career pins, he has never won a match by technical fall.A wrestler since sixth grade, Collins had his eye on 100 wins from his first day on the mat.“I even told my coach at the time, Barry Foust, I was gonna get there,” Collins said. “He reminded me of that the night I got my 100th.”Foust is the father of Butler freshman 106-pounder Connor Foust.Collins wrestled against upperclassmen more often than not during his freshman and sophomore seasons.“Youy don't see many freshmen at 145 or 152 pounds. He faced more seasoned and physically developed kids repeatedly,” Stoner said. “That's what makes this win total so impressive.”Collins also worked out in the Tornado wrestling room with Baxter and Crawford.“Those guys made me better,” Collins insisted. “I'm where I'm at now because of them.”Collins and Reges want to wrestle in college as well.“I don't want to leave this sport,” Collins said. “Just the dedication of it ... It helps get your life on track and keep it there.”
