Many psychologists claim that mankind's most natural phobia is the 'fear of the unknown.' However, Pleasant Valley head wrestling coach Justin Micklos, claimed to have no fear at a crucial stage of his team's EPC match against East Stroudsburg North.

Following a spurt of four straight bouts by the Timberwolves that gave them a 21-17 lead midway through the match, Micklos had faith and confidence in his upper-weight class wrestlers' abilities to regain the lead and eventually win.The Bears utilized five pins from that point on to take the important league bout, 53-24, improving their team record to 6-2 on the season.Trevor Dorn, Brody Keefe, Trent Thomas, Nick Ammirato and Ahmad Curtis all collected mat-slappers throughout that paramount run to stymie the Wolves' enthusiasm and upset bid."It got harder and harder as the match went along," Keefe admitted afterwards. "I guess it got in (the Timberwolves') minds that they were going to win. Thankfully, our upper weights stepped up and got a couple pins. Since it was getting close, (Coach) Miklos usually talks to us before our matches and he said he needed six. So, I went out there and tried to get six for us."The junior 182-pounder earned a 4-0 lead in his pivotal match-up, before maneuvering Rashawn McCormick to his back for the big win, to remain individually undefeated at 8-0.The ensuing match saw a similar fate for the locals, as fellow classmate Trent Thomas - also 8-0 - took to the mat for his 195-pound bout. "Even though I was a little nervous heading into it, I just knew I had to go out there and do what I do in practice - take down, let him up, take him down, let him up - and soon, he just rolled over for me," Thomas recalls. "Of course, there is always a little doubt, but I'm just going to keep going out there and do what I do, take him down, keep going for shots and looking for openings."With a roster of student-athletes like Micklos has at his disposal, it may seem natural for the coach to maintain a fearless attitude with plenty of confidence in his athletes' abilities."I knew the match-ups that were coming up," Micklos admitted. "I knew our upper weights are probably the strongest part of our lineup - from 152, on up - and I had confidence in them. They're great all-around kids and even though I ask a lot of them, they do a lot for me. Early on in the match, I knew those were our younger guys and that they still have things to work on."Pleasant Vy. 53, ES North 24113 - Danny Valdner (PV) tech. fall Jacob Aldous, 21-4 in 5:45120 - John Klein (PV) pin Taylin Torres in 1:41126 - Jason Jacobi (PV) pin Chrisian Reichert in 1:17132 - Jason Alicea (ESN) won by forfeit138 - Robert Prothro (ESN) pin Jiovoni Vesga in 3:47145 - Kyle Bridgeforth (ESN) pin Tanner Boland in 1:16152 - Luke Prothro (ESN) dec. Quintin Vesga, 6-4160 - Trevor Dorn (PV) pin Drequan Garner in 1:03170 - Kamrin Roberts (ESN) dec. Garrett Gouger, 6-5182 - Brody Keefe (PV) pin Rashawn McCormick in 1:53195 - Trent Thomas (PV) pin Jay'ln Smoot in 2:31220 - Nicholas Ammirato (PV) pin Michael Passamonte in 5:54285 - Ahmad Curtis (PV) pin Tyler Cunard in :31106 - James Gehr (PV) won by forfeit