2016-17 All-Greater Rochester Wrestling, Division 2

Moving forward without hesitation only makes sense to three-time Division II state wrestling champion Dane Heberlein.

Simply put, the most reliable way to score in wrestling is to move forward. And the Alexander senior is all about that.

“I think it’s pushing the pace, getting the guy moving on my fake shots (of a takedown attempt),’’ the senior said. “Taking the shots I want, not forcing anything.

“Just keeping him on the move, off balance. He wants to slow the match down, that’s not what I want to do.’’

Heberlein’s approach led to two of the three state championships he won, including at 132 pounds this past season, and his third designation as the Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Division II Wrestler of the Year.

“I think it all has to do with my great coaches, my teammates, my parents, and I think it’s a mindset knowing that you can do it, not breaking mentally,’’ Heberlein said.

When Heberlein lost the 113-pound division in states two years ago as a sophomore, he was upset. After analyzing the match, he said he knew what he had to do ... going forward.

“When I was watching the match, I could tell I didn’t have the right mindset,’’ Heberlein said. “I knew I didn’t wrestle my match. If I did, I might have won.

“I tried to carry out (pushing the pace) the rest of my high school career.’’

Heberlein finished with 258 wins, 13 losses in his career. A state champion at 99 in 2014 and at 120 in 2016, his last loss to Section V wrestler was in eighth grade.

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Older brothers, Zach, 23 and Austin, 21, certainly prepared Heberlein for varsity wrestling.

“That contributed to (me) ... being fearless,’’ Heberlein said. “I guess some of it was to be mean, but looking back on it, it contributed to my success.’’

Heberlein had options of where he wanted to continue wrestling in college and chose State University of New York at Binghamton. He also made official recruiting visits to Appalachian State in North Carolina and SUNY Buffalo.

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Since Heberlein is considering becoming a teacher, he is considering a major in education.

“When I went down there, a big part of high school was being friends with people on the team,’’ Heberlein said. “When I went to Binghamton I could see that. I trusted the coaches a lot, and I think we can build something very good there.”

His high school days served as a good forward to the rest of his wrestling career.