Devin Kane, a junior on Cambridge wrestling team and two time Georgia State Champion, placed fourth in the 160-pound weight class at the National High School Coaches Association Nationals (Junior Division) held at Virginia Beach, Va., this past weekend. Achieving yet another Cambridge milestone by becoming the very 1st All-American in school history. He went 5-2 in the 82 man bracket which included wrestlers from 27 states stretching from Massachusetts to California en route to the prestigious honor.
Kane dominated his first four opponents of the tournament, including an impressive three pins, to advance to the quarterfinals against Elijah Cleary of Lake Highland Prep, Florida. Cleary, a 3X Florida State Champion and Citadel commit, was Kane's only regular season loss. But not this time as the Cambridge junior reversed his fortune and the outcome, by beating Cleary 3-2.
"I wanted to get another shot at Cleary. He beat me earlier in the year. I promised myself a rematch would be different. I know he is tough, but they all are tough at National tournaments. I had more control this time around"," Kane said.
Kane then went on to the Semifinals where he met the 2X New York State Champion University of Buffalo commit (and eventual NHSCA Tourney Champion), Alex Herringshaw. A hard fought match in which the Cambridge standout controlled and led by a score of 7-4 with less than eight seconds left in the 3rd and final period of the match. A last ditch move in the closing seconds proved to be enough as Herringshaw threw Kane for a four point move and the win, 8-7. "I probably should have not locked up with him. I knew he wrestles Freestyle and Greco. That was a "desperation nothing to lose move". He just caught me, but that is what those styles enable you to do", said Kane.
After a quick "clinic type" 10-3 win over a very tough New York State placer, AJ Aeberli, Kane was ready for the consolation finals. Wrestling for 3rd Place. Squaring off against another Junior standout from Georgia, 3X GHSA 6A State Champion and last year's NHSCA Champion, Daniel Bullard.
"I've never wrestled Daniel before since he had competed in the 170 pound class during the regular season. He has a "funky" style that is hard to defend against. He will get you in positions that are next to impossible to get out of. Maybe that is why they do as well as they do nationally. Tough to counter"
"I knew I needed some quick points and then avoid getting caught in the "funk", Kane said. The match turned out to be just that. A few quick points by Kane with the match tied after two periods. A battle of wits immediately ensued as each champion was careful not to play into the other's strength. As the final buzzer sounded, it was Bullard who managed a last minute reversal and 2 points. Enough to pull off a narrow 5-3 victory and secure 3rd Place.
Cambridge Head Coach Don St James is proud of Kane's accomplishments.
"Every time he (Devin) steps on the mat, he's got this confidence he can win. That quality gives him an edge. The guys who come to these tournaments are all State Champions for the most part. Many have won multiple times. To achieve what Devin did was nothing short of spectacular. Not many wrestlers can say they are amongst the best in the nation. Devin earned it. A 2X State Champ, 4th Place at NHSCA Nationals and an All-American… what coach wouldn't' be proud of that", said St James.
