Wrestling: Johnson glad he stayed at Granby

CHESAPEAKE

Granby senior Marcus Johnson steps onto the mat across from Hermitage’s Reno Thomas in a first-round Eastern Region tournament match Friday afternoon.

The two lock up, then Johnson snatches a leg and sweeps the other with his foot.

In less than 30 seconds, Johnson had gained top control. Moments later, Thomas is on his back.

Just after the one-minute mark, the referee slaps the mat to signal Johnson’s pin.

“He’s got an exciting style,” first-year Comets coach David Pucino said. “Even in close matches, he stays aggressive and offensive.”

Johnson had barely broken a sweat after the bang-bang match.

It’s been that kind of year for the 160-pounder, who had reservations about returning to Granby after the school’s second coaching change in two years.

“I was kind of nervous at first,” said Johnson about continuing his mat tutelage under Pucino. “I thought about transferring to another school, but then we talked before the year and I thought he’d be the right replacement.”

From the start, Johnson said Pucino advised him to be selfish and accomplish his goals of becoming a region and state champion. Even if that meant Johnson leaving for another program.

“The right thing isn’t always the popular thing,” Pucino said. “But I wasn’t going to compromise for a 'W’. I think that had an impact.”

Pucino’s approach convinced Johnson to stay with the Comets. And he hasn’t looked back.

“He’s as coachable as they come,” Pucino said. “He could’ve played the tough-guy role but he didn’t.”

Johnson credits Pucino with fixing minor mistakes on the mat, like not capitalizing on scoring positions or getting his hips in better positions when he’s riding on opponents’ legs. Pucino also does more than just bark out orders in the training room.

“He’s out there running with us,” Johnson said. “Right now, he’s got Icy Hot patches on his bruised shins after helping me with my leg-riding defense.”

Johnson, though, is most thankful for Pucino’s guidance in becoming a better person on and off the mat.

“He’s taught me to be a good loser and a modest winner,” Johnson said.

Johnson admitted that he’s still prone to losing his cool at times.

“He’d sit me down and tell me it was wrong,” Johnson said. “Not in an authoritative way, but as man-to-man. I like that better – it makes me feel equal.”

“Some kids need the one-syllable-, hard-, drill-sergeant-type persona,” Pucino said. “I think he’s one of those that responds when you talk directly to him.”

Added Johnson: “He’s not afraid to tell me I’m being a bonehead.”

Johnson’s dream of a region title ended Friday when he was pinned by Nansemond River’s Terrance Hardy in the quarterfinals. But his hopes for a state title remain alive after he rebounded with a 5-2 decision victory over King’s Fork’s Matt Hommell in the second-round consolations.

Johnson is 30-4 on the season.

“I genuinely care where he goes,” Pucino said. “I’m excited about his future.”

Darrell Cuenca, (757) 446-2039, darrell.cuenca@pilotonline.com