PHILADELPHIA, PA • When Vince Robinson stepped onto the mat Saturday night inside of the Wells Fargo Center, he was in his Wolfpack singlet, half white on top, half red on the bottom, and he looked confident, like he believed this was his title.
His opponent, Troy Spratley, the number seven seed from Oklahoma State.
Earlier in the season, Robinson and Spratley met at an ACC versus Big 12 matchup. For Robinson, he would win their only meeting until now, a 7-3 decision, and his victory would be the only match the Wolfpack would win all night in that dual.
Now, however, it was not about a dual meet, there was more on the line; a national champion would be crowned, and it was either going to be Robinson or Spratley.
The first period opened with both Robinson and Spratley changing levels and circling—Spratley from the center of the circle, and Robinson from just outside the small circle with the “NCAA” initials off to the bottom right. For Spratley, he was going to have to wrestle a patient match as one of Robinson’s greatest strengths is his ability to score through his counter offense.
Still, the first shot of the match would be taken by Spratley, but Robinson would defend and tie up the Cowboy in a front headlock position. Once out, the two would continue a strong hand-fight with Spratley still working from the mat’s center, and Robinson moving in and out, reaching and almost taunting, waiting for his opportunity.
Off this circle and chase rhythm, Spratley would fire off into another shot, but Robinson would sprawl and quickly work to his go-behind. In the process of trying to score, Robinson would drop to Spratley’s left leg now on the edge of the mat. Spratley would defend by tying up Robinson’s hands and keeping his right leg back. Robinson attempted to climb the leg, but Spratley maintained poised and fought Robinson’s hands as he worked the position into a stalemate.
The match, to this point, had simply been a battle for position. For Robinson, who made a living on his counter offense all season, was seeing his scoring opportunities stifled as Spratley wanted to close Robinson’s defensive scoring opportunities and keep the match close. By the end of the first period, he appeared to have done just that.
With a 0-0 end to the first, the official flipped the choice disk, and it would land with red facing up. Robinson would take his choice, choose down, buck out, and escape from the Cowboy eight seconds later. Robinson was now in the lead, 1-0, and instead of backing up this time and circling, Robinson stepped forward and attempted a Super Duck, the same Super Duck that won him a match earlier in the tournament that he was losing with seconds remaining. However, this time, there was no scoring, Spratley, though caught off guard, was able to collect himself and move away.
Spratley, who continued to keep himself centered, circled as Robinson kept his distance outside of the inner circle simply waiting for his moment to attack. Spratley was disciplined to what appeared to be the plan: no open shots in the middle of the mat, and if he does shoot, fire off a safe shot near the mat’s edge or outside.
The second period would end with Robinson still in the lead, 1-0, but it was Spratley’s choice in the third period and he chose down.
Once the referee began the period, Spratley would look to score off a switch; fortunately, for Robinson, he was prepared, and he sat Spratley back down. However, Spratley would find his way to his feet and score his escape. The match was now tied up, 1-1, and Robinson had accumulated and few more seconds of riding time than Spratley.
The chess match continued as Spratley stayed center and as Robinson continued to move in and out circling and taunting.
With three seconds remaining in the third, Spratley would fire off a shot, but he was much too late on his attempt if he was truly trying to score. The shot, however, did show that he could get in, it would all be a matter of time and finishing if he could find another opportunity.
With a 1-1 tie, the match headed into Sudden Victory, it was clear to see Robinson picking up his pace and, soon enough, Robinson fired in on a shot, but Spratley defended, circled center, and shot on Robinson with about thirty seconds remaining. Out of that sequence, Robinson would hit a very impressive drag and almost score out of it. Spratley defended and was then in on another shot—a low risk and low reward shot—and the first overtime concluded.
Entering Tiebreaker One, Robinson had preference and choose down. Off the whistle, Robinson was out; he was out in an astonishing three seconds. After that quick escape, Spratley was now picking up his pace and feeling a sense of urgency. And as the clock was winding down, Spratley took a shot, but Robinson defended.
For the second period of Tiebreaker One, it was Spratley’s choice. Believing that escaping in three seconds may be a more than difficult task, and behind on riding time, he decided to not waste any time, and he chose neutral. Very simply, if he scored a takedown, he would most likely win. Conversely, if Robinson could fend Spratley off for thirty seconds, then he would win.
Once the whistle blew, Spratley was in attack mode, and Robinson was all defense. As Spratley shot in, Robinson would lock in his front headlock and hold position. The hold would be stalemated, and off a restart, Spratley would fire in on another shot and another, but Robinson’s athleticism made it nearly impossible for an attack to land, especially with little to no set ups.
And then, on a last-ditch effort on a shot for Spratley, Robinson would secure his front headlock position and hold it tight as time would expire. With the final whistle, Robinson’s corner, who had been celebrating before the final whistle, erupted in excitement with the certified win. A 2-1 overtime victory for the redshirt freshman who now ended his season with a final record of 26-3, and a national title.
As Robinson’s hand was raised as the national champion at 125 pounds, he picked up some speed and popped into a big backflip, landed it, and gave a big flex. He then went to his corner and jumped into his coach’s arms for a big hug.
After his match, Robinson thanked his “support staff and my coaches and my teammates and my family for being there and always believing in me. I went through a lot of adversity in the season. I tore the meniscus in my knee, and I had to get surgery the next week. And then after the North Carolina match, I sprained my LCL, and that was more adversity and battling through injuries all season. But my coach told me to stay confident and that I could do it. I believed.”
As for how he feels winning after dreaming and training and wanting this moment for as long as he can remember, Robinson said, “Feels like a dream, literally a dream. It doesn’t even feel real right now.”
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• TC LIFONTI / LEAD WRITER FOR ILLINOIS MATMEN / tclifonti.com
