A SUCCESSFUL ADJUSTMENT PALMDALE WRESTLER FIGHTS ON BAD KNEE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer PALMDALE - When Darren Robinson Darren Robinson may refer to:
And so, Robinson limped through the pain. He eventually won his first 15 matches before losing in the championship of the competitive Rim of the World tournament in Lake Arrowhead Lake Arrowhead may refer to:
prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. coach Kevin Mandonza, ``he was only about 60 percent in the final'' and now Robinson is 31-3 heading into the Eastern Divisionals at Norte Vista High in Riverside Feb. 15-16. The knee hasn't healed. But Robinson has plenty of momentum after eliminating rival Ben Albaum of Quartz Hill by one point in the semifinals of Saturday's Golden League finals at Highland. Though he had lost to Albaum by one point earlier in the season, Robinson went on to win the Golden League championship. However, he says he won't be satisfied until he finishes in the top five at the divisionals to qualify for the Masters meet Feb. 22 and 23 at Fountain Valley Fountain Valley, city (1990 pop. 53,691), Orange co., S Calif.; inc. 1957. Chiefly residential, Fountain Valley also has diverse manufactures, including apparel, computer equipment, semiconductors, and medical equipment. A U.S. navy helicopter facility is there. High. ``I've had to change my style to compensate for the knee injury and that's why I have only 13 pins,'' Robinson said. ``But since I don't leg ride anymore, I have kind of unique style and a lot of my opponents don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how to react and can't adapt. I don't lock up like conventional wrestlers See
A starting linebacker for the football team and a track and field competitor, Robinson is a natural athlete and his physical skills and strength come in handy Verb 1. come in handy - be useful for a certain purpose be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" on the wrestling mat Noun 1. wrestling mat - a mat on which wrestling matches are conducted gym mat, mat - sports equipment consisting of a piece of thick padding on the floor for gymnastic sports . But it's Robinson's combination of drive and unorthodox style that makes him most effective, according to teammate Josh Hagle. ``I guess Darren hasn't quite been the same because of the injury, but he's just an animal the way he's worked through it,'' Hagle said. ``And then there's that style of his. It's the weirdest wrestling style I've ever seen, so complicated because he doesn't lock up and mainly just shoots (for the legs). But he beats a lot of people.'' Nadonza believes Robinson has set himself apart from other wrestlers because of his ability to adjust to the injury. ``Yes, Darren hasn't been at full strength since the knee injury, but what he did was start beating guys on points (instead of pins),'' Nadonza said. ``He just found other ways to win by proving himself for six minutes of every match.'' ABOUT ROBINSON Who: Darren Robinson. Sport: Palmdale wrestling Weight class: 189 pounds Year: Senior Record: 31-3, 13 pins Last week: Won Golden League championship On tap: Eastern Divisionals at Norte Vista High in Riverside. Top-five qualifiers advance to CIF Masters meet at Fountain Valley High on Feb. 22 and 23. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Daren Robinson of Palmdale High has overcome a bad knee, slightly changing his wrestling style to remain one of the area's best. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News Box: ABOUT ROBINSON (see text) |
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