Dr. Phillips wrestling's Dylan Meeks wins second state championship

West Orange Times & Observer
News

KISSIMMEE — Dylan Meeks didn't have a lot of matches go the distance this season.

The Dr. Phillips standout sophomore went undefeated with most of those wins by pin in the first round.

So, when the Panther had to go the entire six minutes to score a 4-1 decision over Miami Southridge's Darius Hamilton in the 2015 FHSAA Class 3A 220-lb State Championship Match on Saturday, Meeks admits it was a test of endurance toward the end.

"I felt my legs and forearms start to burn ... we finished and I was like 'ah, I can barely walk,'" Meeks said with a smile after winning his second consecutive state title. "It's burning but I won — so it's worth it.

Meeks won every match this season and only two — his quarterfinal match (a 4-0 decision over South Dade's Michael Rodriguez) and Saturday's final at the Silver Spurs Arena — did not come by pin. Meeks was favored every time he stepped on the mat as a sophomore, explaining in part why his celebration after defeating Hamilton was mild relative to some of the other champions crowned throughout the day.

Still, after winning a championship at 195-lbs. as a freshman, repeating is something the Dr. Phillips grappler says he is very proud of.

"It means I did win, it wasn't a fluke and I can defend (the title)," Meeks said.