EAST CHICAGO - When Lawrence Wood started the high school wrestling season, he was not at 100 percent. In fact, the Lancer sophomore was not entirely sure how his injury would affect his opportunity to wrestle in the late-season conference and state tournament events. Wood fought back from that shoulder injury during the early portion of the high school wrestling season to make a big late-season run to qualify for the IHSAA East Chicago Central Semi-State. Following the injury, the LaVille 150-pounder took some time away from wrestling to complete rehabilitation with the LaVille school athletic trainer before returning to the mat. "The more I worked with it, the injury progressively improved," said Wood about his return to competition. And return, he did. As the shoulder got stronger and stronger, he returned in time to make a run in the IHSAA state tournament. "Larry came on really strong at the end of the season," said LaVille wrestling coach James Haluck.  "He started the season a little banged up and didn't get to wrestle much with his injury." First he won his first two matches at the Mishawaka Sectional to make it to the championship match at 150#. After the rehab, though, he started to get back to the old Lawrence Wood.  "He dominated his way through sectionals to the championship round and met his match from Penn in the finals," recalled Haluck. "He lost 10-0 (to Penn's Ryan Hall)." On to the Penn Regional one week later. He conquered his first opponent at the Penn Regional, making a pair of tremendous comeback victories to reach the finals bracket again. "Next week at regionals," explained Haluck.  "You have to win the 1st match or you're done. He pulled out a 2-1 win over a tough Warsaw opponent. And then pulled out a barn burner match vs South Bend Riley in the semi-finals.  He was down 9 points and rallied back to win with a pin with only 2 seconds left on the clock. Very exciting.  "That put him back in the championship match vs Penn again. Made some big improvements from the week before but still fell short and lost 5-0." Wood had a great run, showing his talent, following the shoulder injury to advance to the East Chicago Central Semi-State over the weekend. In the opening match, Wood came out patient against Lafayette Harrison's Max Leon, but found he needed to make in-match adjustments. The Lancer grappler was scoring points, but it was at a three to one disadvantage. "I was expecting to win," said Wood.  "Mentally, I didn't think he was going to be as good as expected. Then I got out there and he was much better than I thought." He trailed just 3-1 after the first period, as Leon scored three points on a takedown, while Wood fought back with a one-point escape. In the second period, Wood's opponent hit two more takedowns to Wood's two escapes and faced a 9-3 deficit heading into the final period. When we asked Larry about the cycle his opponent was in and real-time situation, he responded, "I had to stop giving up the takedowns that he hit.  He kept hitting the same move. I had to stop getting to that point so he couldn't do it ..." For Larry, his adjustment "came pretty late ... He (Leon) was very versatile. He had a lot (of moves) he could go on. More than what I thought." Trailing 15-4, Larry was able to score an escape followed by a takedown to narrow the gap to 15-8, but simply ran out of time in his comeback bid. "I was kinda disappointed," said Wood after the match.  "I am still happy I made it this far." Larry also said he made a valuable lesson. "I learned that it is very important to listen and acknowledge everything you are being taught. Don't take it for granted. I saw a bunch of guys today that got this far, and they were seniors and their season was over.  Unfortunately they don't get to move on or can't have it back." When chatting with Lancer Coach Haluck about Wood's opportunity, he said, "Semi-state ... Big stage.  Lots of high caliber competition.  Larry went out and wrestled tough vs Lafayette Harrison but ultimately fell short 15-8." The immediate future is for Wood to participate in the Freshman/Sophomore state finals from February 28 to March 1. According to Larry, that information regarding the site and times has not been released yet. We'll get that out when we know more information. Wood finished the season with a 12-6 overall record, with a deep run in the IHSAA individual tournament series. We closed our time with Larry, asking him about the trials and tribulations, especially the end of the season advancement. "It means a lot to me.  I came out at the start of the season with that shoulder injury. It took a toll on me. I was thinking that with that injury that I wasn't going to make it far.  And if I did advance, the seedings were going to be bad. Now as I look back, just to come out and to keep advancing ... It feels pretty good." Considering where Lawrence Wood started the season, a shoulder injury and subsequent recovery and rehab, to a sectional and regional runner up in the 150# weight class, to advancing to the semi-state round, it was a pretty good journey! "The finish to the season was definitely due to the confidence that my coaches gave me. Just talking with me and working with me, they gave me that hope. You know, to just keep working. It gives that confidence to help me to where I've gotten now.  It's just been so huge." Congrats on a great season, Lawrence!