By Jackie Reese Oklahoma Daily
Norman, OK (U-WIRE) — As the saying goes, “the third time’s a charm. “For junior wrestler Teyon Ware, it couldn’t ring more true.
Ware just returned from the 2005 NCAA Championships, which took place March 17-19 in St. Louis, Mo., where he claimed his second national title by defeating Nate Gallick of Iowa State by a 3-2 decision.
Ware won both titles wrestling in the 141-pound weight division.
However, this was not the first time this season that the two wrestlers met up.
During the regular dual season Gallick had Ware’s number when it came to their previous matches.
The first time they met up, Ware lost to Gallick by a 6-3 decision in a dual at Iowa State. The second time was in the finals at the Big 12 championships, where Gallick defeated Ware by a 4-3 decision in an 11-minute, six-overtimes match.
“I was angry about the Big 12’s in the way that I lost, “Ware said. “I just used it as motivation for the NCAAs. When your back is against the wall you just have to go out there and wrestle.”
That motivation carried Ware to the finals of the NCAAs and a rematch for the title.
“I knew there was a pretty good chance that we could meet up in the finals and I knew what I would do when we met up again, “Ware said. “I knew I had to strike first and strike fast.”
After a scoreless first period, strike is what Ware did.
Choosing down to start the second period Ware scored a quick escape and a takedown to go up 3-0 and out of reach for Gallick to catch him heading into the third period.
Gallick scored a one-point escape two seconds into the match. His other point came from a stalling call on Ware but it wouldn’t be enough for him to defeat Ware.
“I understood when I got that stalling call on my feet, but any wrestler would have done that, “Ware said. “I just had to shake it off because I knew he had to come after me. “
Gallick will have to wait till next season for a chance but Ware will be prepared.
“I can’t get satisfied. I’ve still got one more [championship] and it’s going to be in front of my home crowd, “Ware said. “I’m looking out for myself, but I’m looking out for my team.”
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