Athlete of the Week: Nazr Roberson

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Newark wrestler Nazr Roberson poses for a portrait in the Newark High School gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

NAZR ROBERSON, senior, Newark wrestling

THE WEEK: Won four matches, including a 6-3 victory over Caravel’s Keith Medley in the championship match, to take the 220-pound title at the DIAA Individual Wrestling Championships on Saturday night at Cape Henlopen High.

THE REMATCH: It was no surprise that Roberson (33-5) met Medley in the final. They met twice before this season, in the finals at the Yellowjacket and Delcastle invitationals, with Medley winning close decisions both times. “All week, I’ve been preparing for him,” Roberson said. “I’ve been working on what he does. I know he knows what I do, so I’ve just been going at it.”

THE THIRD TIME: “It’s hard to beat somebody three times. That’s been my experience in wrestling over the years,” Newark coach Chris Hudson said. “We were just shortening the deficit. First time, it was 8-4 at the Yellowjacket. At the Delcastle tournament, it was 6-4.”

THE DIFFERENCE: This time, Roberson jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Medley rallied to tie it in in the third period, but Roberson was prepared and earned three more points to win it. “You saw at the end, he tried that quick step, that quick shot,” Roberson said. “I’ve been practicing all week, just getting my legs back and defending that.”

THE TECHNIQUE: “All week, all people have been saying is Nazr is just a strong wrestler, not much technique,” Hudson said. “I disagree. Nazr is very smart, and he is technical. Yes, his go-to move is a double and cradle. But you can’t say that limits his technical ability. He just stays with what he knows and what he’s good at.”

THE TITLE: Roberson became Newark’s 27th state wrestling champ, but its first since Jeff Hudson – Chris’ brother – won at 160 pounds in 2001. “It’s still like a blur to me,” Roberson said. “… I’m just happy for me, my team, my coaches. I thank them for bringing me here.”

THE CLASSROOM: Roberson’s favorite subject is Physics, because he “likes the mathematics and working through problems.” He also enjoys studying Engineering, where he learns to draw and design products.

THE FUTURE: Roberson, who has a 3.9 grade-point average, plans to major in Engineering in college. He is working to decide between the University of Delaware, which does not have a wrestling team, and Drexel, which has an interest in adding him to its team.

Send Athlete of the Week nominations to bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ