Two Rivers' Pelot aims for state title

TWO RIVERS - Ty Pelot is 42-0, undefeated, perfect. He literally could not have a better record yet the 113 pound Two Rivers junior feels like he's just meeting expectations.

"It's nothing real special to me,” Pelot said. “It's more expected. Winning state's expected so if I had any losses or I don't win state it's just going to be a disappointment."

Pelot knows about disappointment. He left the state tournament without a medal last year after going 1-2.

Something he plans on changing this time around.

"He's got some unfinished business and he came in real focused this year and his goal at the beginning of the year was to be a state champ so he's on track,” said head coach Paul Gehrke.

No longer a starry eyed first timer, Pelot plans on learning from the disappointment of last year’s tournament.

"I learned that it really doesn't matter who you're wrestling,” Pelot said. “You just have to go there and wrestle tough. You can't let any of the atmosphere get to you."

Like a grandmaster in chess the way Pelot navigates the mat separates him from his peers.

"His wrestling knowledge is second to none,” said coach Gehrke. “He's so good with mat awareness and knowing where he's supposed to be and where the other guy is, setting up moves and finishing."

Pelot even supplements his practice time by working at an area gym with wrestlers from other area schools.

"It helps because you get a lot of different looks with different partners,” Pelot explained. “I'm not just wrestling with the guys in my room. It's been helping me a lot."

All that training has been building towards this weekend's meet.

"If you want to be the best you have to prove that you're the best, no matter what," Pelot said.

And the time has come for Pelot to prove that he's the best.