• Four Horsemen of the Region

    McGill, Galka, Howe, Lawrence
    win state titles

    Indianapolis | The announcer billed it as the seventh game of the World Series. In the winner-take-all sense of the hype, the 140-pound state championship match between Munster's Eric McGill and Brennan Cosgrove of Hobart was just that.

    The Region duo had split six previous meetings, accounting for all of the other's three losses. No. 7 went to McGill, who edged Cosgrove in a 6-5 thriller Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

    		 cosgrove
    This one belonged to the Cornell-bound McGill, last year's 125 kingpin, thanks to an escape with 30 seconds left that broke a 5-5 tie. It was a change of recent fortune for McGill against Cosgrove, who seemed on his way to his third straight win over McGill at the Merrillville Semi-state when he was disqualified for an illegal slam.

    "I knew it was my last high school match ever, I wanted to put the exclamation point on a good career," McGill said. "I want to make sure it's known that I have more respect for (Cosgrove) than anybody in this gym right now. I wish (Cosgrove) all the best next year. I hope he brings home a state championship."

    "It's been seven intense battles," said McGill, who sported a jet-black coiffure. "Never get your head down, keep plugging away, don't ever think you're beaten whether it's close or not. When it's that close, it's never over."

    "One break could win it. It could've gone either way."

    galka

    Hobart's Eric Galka (130), Merrillville's Jamal Lawrence (145) and Hanover Central's Andrew Howe all capped undefeated seasons with titles in their respective weight classes.

    Galka was taken down for the first time this year, but held off Chesterton's Andy St. Germain, 9-7.
    "Every match got closer and closer," Galka said.
    "You could tell he studied me, and I studied him, too. He got a good shot in."

    Galka (47-0) won the 103 crown as a freshman but was knocked out in the first round at 119 last season.

    "I still worked hard, but in essence, I took it for granted, winning my freshmen year," he said. "After not placing last year, it makes this one even better."

    Howe (48-0) systematically dismantled everyone in his path, winning all four of his matches by technical fall, including the finale with Northview's Chris Dean in 6:00. No one had ever posted more than two technical falls at state before. Howe has won 100 straight matches dating back to his loss in the 130 final as a freshman, his only prep defeat.

    "It still feels good," the understated Howe said. "I'll never forget the past two years, for sure. I came in peaking at the right time. Everything was going together real well. You wrestle hard the whole match, people start giving up easy points."

    Lawrence (45-0), a two-time medalist, took the next step by edging Evansville Mater Dei's previously unbeaten Nick Dewig 3-2. He jumped into Coach Maldonado's arms, then toppled his father Michael to the floor in a celebratory leap.

    "I've wrestled for so long, 13 years. It makes it all worth it to win a state title," Lawrence siad, "I'm happy, my family's happy. I feel like the monkey's off my back."