All-Bi-City wrestling: Father-son tandem, Rob and Tony Morales, take top awards

In recent history, the Central wrestling team has played second fiddle to Smiths Station on the Alabama side of the border. If Central continues on its current trajectory, though, the father-son tandem of Rob and Tony Morales will be a major reason why.

Rob Morales was named the Ledger-Enquirer Wrestling Coach of the Year after leading Central to a fifth-place finish at state in Class 7A. His son, Tony, won an individual state championship in the 152-pound weight class. Only a sophomore, Tony went 40-2 this year en route to being named the Wrestler of the Year.

Tony wrestled at a lower weight class in the past, which he and his dad both felt like hindered his endurance and, as a result, his success. This year, he found the right weight, and the results were evident.

“It made a difference in his stamina and strength, and being able to wrestle that fifth match in that third period just as well as he would the first,” the elder Morales said.

Tony echoed that thought, as well. In the semifinals match at the state meet, he was facing the state’s former No. 1 in 152, Hall Morton. Tony pinned him to move on to the final match, and in the third period proved his stamina as he outlasted Bowman Hill by a 9-7 decision.

“In that second or third period, I knew he was getting tired and I felt great,” Tony said. “In the third period, I took it.”

When he got the last takedown, he looked at the clock to see 8 seconds left.

“It felt like a rush,” he said. “I won state, and it felt great.”

Tony is only a sophomore, and he is just one of many who reflect the youth of Central’s program this year. That is partially what makes it so impressive that Rob Morales was able to lead the team to such a high finish. Rob said, though, that the youth was a major contributing factor.

“It helped them stay light and find the fun side of what we were trying to do,” he said. “That just made it easier to come to practice and to put in late nights and early mornings.”

And it’s also what makes the next few years so exciting for the Red Devils. Tony, for one, is already looking ahead.

“I’ve got to get two more,” he said, referring to individual state championships. “I’m ready to get back on that mat. We had a couple days, but the next week we started practicing again. Back to the grind.”

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "All-Bi-City wrestling: Father-son tandem, Rob and Tony Morales, take top awards."