Punahou’s Vincent Terrell pulled off some escape magic twice Saturday and now he’s going for his first title in the Texaco/HHSAA Wrestling State Championships at Blaisdell Arena.
Later Saturday, Terrell will go against Blaze Sumiye of Moanalua, who pulled off an upset moments earlier.
The two combatants in the final are good friends, according to Terrell.
In his semifinal match, Terrell was losing 2-1 against Leilehua’s Pookela De Santos, but got an escape with time running out to tie it 2-2. The match went to extra periods and in the third OT, Terrell got another escape for the 3-2 win.
“I want to thank the coaches and thank God for giving me this opportunity,” Terrell said. “Those two points came from down deep. All the times our coaches made us do a little extra after every practice made this so much easier.”
A few minutes earlier, Sumiye held off top-seeded Jesse Dudoit of Lahainaluna 2-1 to advance.
“It means a lot, going against one of my long time friends,” Terrell said. “It’s going to be a battle. I know we both want it.”
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