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“Last year, I felt I did not have an energetic start to the season,” said the junior, who is in his third varsity season. “I wanted to establish myself early.”
Klein accomplished this by going 5-0, all by pins, at the Bernie Miller Dual-Meet Tournament Saturday, earning him most valuable junior honors. Klein continued his fast start with a pin against John Jay-Cross River and decision against Fox Lane in the Section 1 Division I Dual-Meet Championship Tuesday.
Klein is now 7-0, including six pins, as the Quakers improved to 5-3 after a win over John Jay-Cross River and loss to Fox Lane.
Last year, Klein opened his season with a 4-1 start at the Bernie Miller, but he was pleased with his performance.
“I felt that I was hanging on a little bit too much,” said Klein, who went 21-13 last year. “This year, I went in wanting to be in control of my matches.”
Horace Greeley coach Mike DeBellis said Klein worked hard during the off-season, putting in the additional work needed to take his wrestling to the next level. “Mitchell is quiet and confident,” DeBellis said. “He comes to practice, works hard, then goes on the mat and does his job.”
Klein was in control of John Jay’s Ben Jadow before pinning him in the third period as the Quakers defeated the Indians, 40-31, in their first match Tuesday. The win reversed the verdict Saturday at the Bernie Miller when John Jay beat Horace Greeley. Klein followed it up with a 5-1 win over Ari Faust. The final score was not indicative of the match, which Klein controlled from the start.
“It meant a lot to us to beat John Jay,” Klein said. “We went in knowing what we needed to do, and that was to keep up the intensity.”
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