Payback doesn’t get much more memorable than this.
On the brink of yet another defeat to his longtime crosstown rival, Dylan Molnar got a high-stakes second chance near the end of the first half of his OFSAA consolation semifinal.
With a challenge block verdict going his way, the Craig Kielburger wrestling captain – celebrating his 18th birthday (Mar. 5) – turned the tide in epic fashion.
In one of the Spartans’ biggest mat comebacks in history, the 51-kilogram competitor rallied from a nine-point deficit with a pair of four-point reversals. He then hit a fireman’s and insurance tilt in the last 30 seconds to vanquish Elsie MacGill’s Ali Mahran 17-13.
“I couldn’t believe what I’d just done,” said Molnar, who’d gone on to capture bronze with a defensively-impressive 14-8 decision over Anfaal Butt of North York. “That was the biggest comeback I’d ever hit… one of the best matches I’ve ever wrestled throughout high school. It was the first time I’d cried happy tears. The waterworks were crazy.”
Adding to the excitement was the fact that Mahran had Molnar’s number throughout the past three years, including late last month in the GHAC gold-medal showdown.
Despite this lopsided track record, the would-be OFSAA medalist – according to coach Simon Vanellis – isn’t one to get rattled, regardless of the score or previous losses.
“Whatever the circumstances are, you have to wrestle smart,” said Molner, who also does hip-hop dance and believes it’s been beneficial to his wrestling footwork and overall coordination. He’s looking ahead to wrestle in university, wherever he ends up studying. “You can’t let the score dictate how you perform. You could always come back. Anything can happen.”
Drawn to the sport by his two uncles – both regional champs and OFSAA competitors – the Spartans standout showed plenty of promise during his freshman season, which came without any competition due to COVID.
Dropping his first-ever match to Mahran, an initial teammate turned rival, Molnar soon gained the upper-hand on his competition. With mental strength to match his technical acumen, he’s won numerous tournaments over the years – including last year’s GHAC.
Leading one of the team’s most successful seasons since its championship heyday at E.C. Drury, Molnar elevated his endurance this past season and got in a little more practice time on the way to reaching the OFSAA podium.
“My stamina was much improved. Compared to last year I felt like a machine. I wouldn’t get gassed (late in matches).”
The Spartans captured GHAC for just the second time since moving to Craig Kielburger and had 10 competitors – six who'll be returning next season – at OFSAA in Kitchener.
Rounding out the provincial tournament squad were Deen Douha, Ryan Mitrovich, Mateo Savinetti, Daniel Burch-Smith, Arthur Costa, Sammy Miqdadi, Faizan Saleem, Sami Sideiqui and Abdur Irshad.