For years 100 has been the number every wrestler has sought to reach.
Getting to 100 victories meant more than just excellence.
It was a standard that measured the greatest of the great.
"It's a great milestone for a kid to get 100 wins. That seems to be the milestone for every high school wrestler," said Warren wrestling coach Neil Brague.
For Warren High School senior Dustin Harlow, that's a milestone he can now claim as his own.
Harlow recorded his 100th career victory at Meadowbrook on Jan. 7 when he notched a major decision over a Uniontown Lake opponent.
"It really didn't hit me till the ref raised my hand and told me congratulations," Harlow said.
It may be a milestone reached, but it certainly wasn't one reached easily.
The inherent difficulty that comes with posting 100 wins, an average of 25 per season over four years, wasn't the only thing arrayed against Harlow.
During his sophomore campaign Harlow sustained a back injury, ultimately requiring surgery.
Coming off such a serious injury, Harlow still dominated his junior season, finishing as an alternate for the state tournament and entered this year, his senior campaign, needing just 16 wins to notch 100.
Even with the success he enjoyed after his injury, Harlow still thought 100 wins was out of his reach.
"I never thought I would (reach 100 wins), but I've had a lot of support from my family and my coaches along the way that helped me through the pain, made me a better wrestler, a better person," Harlow said.
Despite the significance of his injury, Harlow hasn't allowed it to slow him down, much less stop him.
"No matter what, for the rest of my life I'll never be 100 percent, but I know now how to push through it," Harlow said.
Harlow has become a two-sport standout for the Warriors, dominating the football field as well as the wrestling mat.
This past fall Harlow tied for the team lead in tackles with 148 tackles while posting six sacks, four fumble recoveries and an interception as a noseguard.
So far this season Harlow has posted an impressive record of 17-1 as he now has 101 wins for his career, putting the icing on the cake so to speak for his comeback.
"It means a lot to me, knowing that suffering from a back injury I've made such a great accomplishment, such a great comeback," Harlow said.
In his first year as the Warriors' wrestling coach, Brague was quick to point to former Warren coach Aaron Schetter as a huge contributor to Harlow's success, but noted no matter who the coach it has been Harlow that put the time in on the mats to become one of the area's best.
"He's the one who earned them. He's the one who stepped out there. He did the hard work," Brague praised.
Harlow hopes his success inspires the next generation of Warrior grapplers as well, and one Warrior is certainly following in his footsteps as junior Cory Parsons has an outside shot to reach his 100th career victory this season as well.
Becoming a mentor to wrestlers younger than he is is something Harlow takes seriously, and notes that he's living proof that hard work can guide any young grappler to success on the mats.
"No matter what, keep pushing. You can easily accomplish great things," Harlow said.
Gifted with outstanding strength and speed, Harlow has certainly learned how to use them to the best of his ability on the mat and the gridiron.
And that understanding of his sports has helped Harlow put his name alongside former Warren greats like Matt McCoy and Heath Eddleblute as some of the best Warrior wrestlers.
Harlow hopes to continue his wrestling career in college, but even if that doesn't happen he has no plans to walk away from the mats.
In time, he can even see himself taking up a whistle and joining Brague as a coach.
"I really love the sport," Harlow said. "I really want to stay involved in it."
