To borrow from the opening monologue of Star Trek, senior Christopher “Chris” Pike can boldly go where no Sherburne-Earlville wrestler has gone before.
Chris Pike is one of only 11 sectional champions in the documented history of Sherburne-Earlville wrestling. Last season, en route to a fifth-place finish in the state, Pike joined Rick Koenig (’65-’66) and Joe Gombers (’63-’64) as the school’s only two-time sectional champions.
Saturday at the Utica Auditorium, he attempts to set a new school record as the number two seed in the Section III small school division 285-pound weight class.
Pike is used to achieving firsts: He became the first S-E sectional champion in 18 years when he took the heavyweight crown as a sophomore. He matched that feat a year ago in becoming the first two-time sectional champion at S-E in over 40 years. Coming off a Class B championship a week ago, Pike is our Smith Ford LLC/Evening Sun Athlete of the Week.
“To be honest and blunt, Chris put Sherburne-Earlville wrestling back on the map two years ago,” said head coach Bim Palmer.
Pike split his four state tourney matches as a sophomore, and was one win away from qualifying for the placement round. A year ago, Pike’s state championship dream was cut short in the semifinals by Section XI’s Dustin Frederick, who pinned Pike and went on to win the state title.
“My mental approach has changed from the past two years,” Pike said. “Last year, I found myself intimidated (by Frederick). This year I believe I can beat anyone.”
Pike should have steamrolled through his senior season, but less than two months ago at the Mountain Duals, the two-time defending Section III champion was beaten twice in the same day. Outside of the state championships a year ago, Pike had not lost twice on the same day in years.
“He was going for a big win, and he got caught,” said S-E coach Brian Hicks of one Pike loss. “Normally he’s a kid that doesn’t take any unnecessary chances.”
Normally, Pike doesn’t lose at all; however, he was carrying more weight on the mat than he ever had before. Instead of a comfortable 260 pounds, he was weighing in at the 285-pound limit, and was between 290 and 300 pounds when he was not wrestling. Pike’s explosiveness was greatly diminished.
“I remember those two losses very well,” Palmer said. “He had a bad day. He lost to a kid he had beaten before and he was bummed. But he never let down and he wrestled hard the rest of the tournament.
“We pointed out to him (later on) that he was as big as the competition, but he needed to be quicker. With his added weight, people caught up to him.”
Pike dropped in the neighborhood of 40 pounds, and is now at a weight where he is at his peak. “I am a scrambling wrestler and speed is important,” Pike said. “I felt a lot slower.”
“He’s about ready to break another record and he’s broken records before,” Palmer added. “He’s going in as the second seed, and he’s wrestling now like a kid who could easily win again.”
Christopher Pike has set his course and his mission is clear. A win in Utica, and he opens a whole new frontier in Sherburne-Earlville wrestling.