STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ
State Wrestling Finals
Graham junior Max Thomusseit won the D-II 189 title to give Graham a record seven individual champions.
Photo by Nick Falzerano
JJ H u d d l e ’ s O h i o H i g h
J J H U D D L E . C O M 15
State Wrestling Finals Division I-III State Wrestling Finals
Graham shatters state records; St. Edward and Troy Christian also defend team titles March 6-8, 2009 @ The Schottentstein Center
F
Falcons break 58-year old record with seven individual champions; St. Edward wins 13th straight D-I championship or 72 years Ohio has held a state championship in wrestling. None of the previous 71 can compare with the latest. On March 7 at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center, the 72nd annual State Wrestling Championships produced history, heroics and the flat out absurd. A 58-year old record was broken, the team scoring record was shattered and there was a four-time winner. And that was all done by one team. Want more? There’s plenty.
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First Place Finals 103: Kory Mines, Maple Hts. dec. Brian Hauser, Lyndhurst Brush 4-1 112: Jerome Robinson, Cle. St. Ignatius dec. Gus Sako, Lakewood St. Edward 4-2ot 119: Jamie Clark, Lakewood St. Edward maj. dec. David Bolger, Strongsville 12-4 125: Sam White, Massillon Perry dec. Nick Lawrence, Westlake 3-2 130: Shawn Fayette, Miamisburg dec. Ty Davis, W. Chester Lakota West 9-4 135: Robert Shepherd, Mason dec. John Gallagher, St. Xavier 7-5 140: Collin Palmer, Lakewood St. Edward dec. Tommy Sasfy, Reynoldsburg 3-1 145: David Habat, Cle. St. Ignatius dec. T.J. Rigel, New Carlisle Tecumseh 4-3 152: Josh Demas, Westerville North dec. Nick Sulzer, Lakewood St. Edward 4-3 160: Kyle Lang, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. pin J.T. Rice, Hilliard Davidson 3:04 171: Nick Heflin, Massillon Perry dec. Cory Hayes, Mayfield Vill. Mayfield 3-1 189: Andrew Tumlin, Harrison dec. Mike Lanigan, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. 5-3ot 215: Orlando Scales, Cin. Elder pin Denicos Allen, Hamilton 3:26 285: Jeremy Johnson, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. dec. James Meder, Parma Hts. Valley Forg 5-1 Third Place Finals 103: John Dillon, Young. Boardman dec. Mike Labry, Twinsburg 6-5 112: Kagan Squire, Wadsworth dec. Leslie Polley, Maple Hts. 5-0 119: Jake Corrill, Cin. Arch. Moeller maj. dec. Dan McNulty, Mayfield Vill. Mayfield 11-3 125: Jake McCombs, Marysville dec. Jake Sage, Ket. Fairmont 6-4 130: Dalton McHenry, Elyria dec. Zach Dailey, Massillon Perry 13-6 135: Anthony Salupo, Lakewood St. Edward dec. Scott Mattingly, Uniontown Lake 4-2 140: Waquiem Comar, Twinsburg dec. Tommy Fehring, Glen Este 3-1 145: Pierce Harger, Cin. Arch. Moeller maj. dec. Kevin Drake, Upper Arlington 12-0 152: Andrew Gasber, Madison dec. Aron Brenner, Canfield 6-4 160: Darren Rhodes, Macedonia Nordonia dec. Tylan Coleman, Mayfield Vill. Mayfield 6-5 171: Kyle Dilley, Lancaster dec. Cody Lamberg, Akron Kenmore 12-7 189: Greg Isley, Sylvania Southview dec. Kyle Sanders, Col. St. Charles 3-0 215: Nick Tavanello, Wadsworth pin Nate Weeks, Marysville 4:59 285: Adam Walls, Beavercreek dec. Ben Buzzelli, Wadsworth 2-1
BEST OF ALL-TIME?
Can you picture a football team scoring 100 points in a state final? How about a basketball team scoring 200? That’s the equivalent of what St. Paris Graham did en route to its ninth Division II state title and 11th overall. The Falcons scored a head-shaking 282 points and produced seven individual champions. Both are state records. The previous points record of 229 was set by Lakewood St. Edward in 2007. Graham had 221 by the end of competition on March 6. The D-II runner-up – Uhrichsville Claymont – finished a full 201 points behind. As for the seven individual state titles, that mark breaks the old record of six set by Cleveland West in 1951. Graham qualified 13 wrestlers to state and all of them stood on the podium. The Falcons also had wrestlers place second (two), third (three) and seventh. “I’m very happy with our performance,” Graham head coach Jeff Jordan said. “A lot of people were talking about the record and whether we could break six and get seven and I said somebody is going to have to step up and do something. We were kind of favored in five of them, but when Kyle Ryan won that one I said ‘Well you know maybe this is possible.’ “This is a great team and this is probably the closest team I’ve ever coached. We’re all on the same page. It’s a real privilege to be the head coach of this team.” Graham’s winners were: sophomore Nick Brascetta (103), senior Zach Neibert (125), freshman Felipe Martinez (130), senior David Taylor
Division I Placers
Fifth Place Finals 103: Nick Garcia, Oregon Clay maj. dec. Corey Selmon, Princeton 10-1 112: Shawn Ague, Austintown-Fitch dec. Jeremy Artrip, Mason 3-1 119: Nick Hannan, Massillon Perry dec. Nick McSorley, Trenton Edgewood 7-4 125: Callen Vanderhoff, Marion Harding maj. dec. Jesse Walker, Clayton Northmont 14-6 130: Charlie Packard, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. dec. Ryan Hoyt, Cle. St. Ignatius 3-2 135: Mike Hillock, Massillon Perry dec. Joe Parra, Barberton 4-2ot 140: Dylan Zivcic, Mentor over Brad Squire, Wadsworth forfeit 145: Jerrel Valliant, Sandusky dec. Seth Horner, Massillon Perry 3-2 152: Joe Crabtree, Hilliard Darby pin Phillip Egnor, Elyria 4:59 160: Zack Goins, Elyria over Caleb Marsh, Marysville default 171: Marc Bryan, Cle. St. Ignatius dec. Marlon Baker, Twinsburg 5-3 189: Andrew Borgstrom, Middletown dec. Nick Miller, Centerville 7-5ot 215: Kyle Rose, Centerville over Ryan Nelisse, Elyria default 285: Sean Brooks, Northmont dec. Zach Laird, Olmsted Falls 3-1
Photo by Nick Falzerano
St. Edward senior Collin Palmer won his fourth state title to become just the 18th wrestler in Ohio history to do so.
“This is a great team and this is probably the closest team I’ve ever coached. We’re all on the same page. It’s a real privilege to be the head coach of this team.” Graham Head Coach Jeff Jordan
Seventh Place Finals 103: George DiCamillo, Cle. St. Ignatius tech. fall Trevor Fiorucci, Lewis Center Ole 15-0 112: Max Byrd, LaSalle dec. Angelo DiSabato, Hilliard Davidson 16-9 119: Alex Marzec, Tol. DeSales dec. Alex Gray, Wadsworth 5-4 125: Tyler Dalton, Barberton dec. Cody Shivener, Springboro 4-2 130: Austin Sanders, Gr. City Central Crossing pin Tyler Riegle, Springboro 2:43 135: Louden Gordon, Wadsworth pin Randy Languis, Dublin Scioto 3:53 140: Joe Grandominico, Lewis Center Olentangy dec. Jerrell Hodge, Bedford 1-0 145: Louis Greco, Austintown-Fitch dec. Trevor Nickolai, Piqua 5-2 152: Chet Bissell, Twinsburg pin Justin Sneary, Tecumseh 2:57 160: Justin Wharton, Oregon Clay dec. Ian Korb, Cin. Elder 7-2 171: Michael Alexander, Findlay dec. Patrick Rigsby, St. Charles 8-5 189: Andrew Phillips, Massillon Perry dec. Caleb Busson, Wadsworth 3-1 215: Roman Lawson, Shaker Hts. dec. Seth Nelson, GroveportMadison 10-5 285: Steve Powell, Moeller dec. Dennis Cox, Bowling Green 3-1ot
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ
State Wrestling Finals
PHOTOS BY NICK FALZERANO
103
112
119
125
130
Kory Mines
Jerome Robinson
Jamie Clark
Sam White
Shawn Fayette
Maple Heights H.S., Jr. 41-4
St. Ignatius H.S., Jr. 39-3
St. Edward H.S., Jr. 35-0 (two-time champion)
Massillon Perry H.S, Sr. 41-1 (two-time champion)
Miamisburg H.S., Jr. 43-2
Robert Shepherd
Collin Palmer
David Habat
Josh Demas
Kyle Lang
Mason H.S., Jr. 35-3
St. Edward H.S., Sr. 39-2 (four-time champion)
St. Ignatius H.S., Jr. 40-3
Nick Heflin
Andrew Tumlin
Orlando Scales
Massillon Perry H.S., Sr. 42-2
Harrison H.S., Sr. 42-1
135
171
140
189
JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h io H i g h
145
215
152
160
Westerville North H.S., Jr. Broadview Heights H.S., Sr. 46-1 40-3
285
Team
Jeremy Johnson
St. Edward
Elder H.S., Sr. Broadview Heights H.S., Sr. 39-0 (two-time champion) 36-2
Lakewood, OH 13th Straight State Title
J J H U D D L E . C O M 17
State Wrestling Finals (135), senior Brian Stephens (145), sophomore Kyle Ryan (160) and junior Max Thomusseit (189). Thomusseit pushed the Falcons past the brink with a hard-fought 4-1 win over University School senior Nick Mills. Taylor and Martinez won by pin. Brascetta and Stephens won by major decision. It was a third place finish by senior James Mannier at 171 that gave the Falcons the scoring record. “James Mannier had a heartbreak last night when he lost in the semis,” Jordan said. “He’s the only senior who didn’t win a title but you know what? He’s the one who broke the (scoring) record this morning when he pinned the guy. That got us over 229 points and I’m real happy James did that. I’m really happy that Max finished off the night with the win too.” Jordan joked that Thomussiet had told him he hadn’t been able to sleep for the last three weeks. “He would just lie in bed thinking about winning a state title,” Jordan said. “Now hopefully he’ll be able to get some sleep.” ZZZs will be easy for the coach to catch too. “I never thought that we’d break that record,” Jordan said. “But once we put the guys in the finals we knew we had a legitimate shot at it. “Boy, did we perform.”
NOT SO FAST
Much has been made this year of St. Edward’s possible demise. Who’s laughing now? That chuckle you hear is from Lakewood. The Eagles withstood challenges from Wadsworth, Massillon Perry and surprise Brecksville-Broadview Heights to capture their 13th straight D-I title and 25th overall. Only Cincinnati St. Xavier’s boys swim team (30) has more state titles in one sport. During the regular season the Eagles lost twice to Wadsworth in duals and lost to Massillon Perry at the Medina Invitational. Both teams were still in contention after the first two sessions, but St. Ed separated itself during the semifinals. The Eagles advanced four to finals and took home two titles: junior Jamie Clark (119) and senior Collin Palmer (140). St. Edward ended with 111.5 points, while Perry was second – for the sixth time in seven years – with 91. Broadview Heights (84) was third and Cleveland St. Ignatius fourth (76.5). Wadsworth finished fifth (74).
CALL OF DUTY
Some saw Troy Christian senior Jordan Thome’s loss in the D-III quarterfinals as a huge upset. And on paper it was. In reality it was a win – literally – for TC that he was even out there. Thome – a four-time qualifier and three-time placer – broke his ankle at last week’s Fairmont District yet tried to gut out the state tournament. He wore a brace for his D-III 135 opener and beat Monroeville’s Cal Clark. Thome then dropped his next two bouts. The victory over Clark though made all the difference. The three points Thome earned in that match helped propel the Eagles to their third straight D-III title. TC beat Monroeville by one point (113-112). Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy was third with an impressive showing (103 points). Thome – appropriately – is going to wrestle for
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the U.S. Military Academy. “He broke his ankle in the semis in two spots last week,” TC head coach Steve Goudy said. “He’s got an appointment to West Point and we were worried about him coming out here, but he put a brace on it and wrestled a kid from Monroeville in the first round. That’s the difference. He won and we got three instead of them getting three. We win it by one point. “He stepped up huge for us. I’m really proud of that kid and the leadership he showed. Every point counts.” TC had three individual champions in seniors Zac Hancock (140), Chris Burns (145) and Zach Toal (160). The state title was Hancock’s second and Toal’s third. The Eagles also had two seventh place finishers on the final day that earned a point apiece. TC knows a thing about winning close ones. Two years ago the Eagles edged Marion Pleasant 154-151.5. “Getting three in a row has been a real focus all year,” Goudy said. “We just had the right kids step up at the right time. The kids see those wall brackets up on the wall and they want to get up there. They want to get on that wall.”
TWO FOR FOUR
Graham’s Taylor and St. Edward’s Palmer added their names to an elite list by winning their fourth state titles. Taylor became the 17th wrestler in history to accomplish the feat, minutes before Palmer became the 18th. Both received standing ovations after their match and during the awards ceremony. Taylor added his 135 championship to a resume that includes titles at 103 (freshman and Sophomore) and 112 (junior). R anked No. 1 in the country, Taylor wraps his high school career with a record of 180-2. He hasn’t lost for two years and won at least 42 matches every high school season. Taylor is headed to Iowa State. Palmer ends his career 147-4 and adds his 140 title to a haul that includes hardware from 112 (freshman), 125 (sophomore) and 135 (junior). Headed to Ohio State, Palmer is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. The duo both became the third wrestlers from their schools to win four state titles. No other program can claim more than one. Graham does have two other wrestlers who earned two of their four state titles as a Falcon. Both Dustin and C.P. Schlatter won two titles apiece at Graham. They won their other two at Massillon Perry and Columbus DeSales, respectively.
WAY TO REBOUND
A year after losing his first two state matches and going home, Cleveland St. Ignatius senior Jerome Robinson went to the top of the podium. Robinson beat St. Edward’s Gus Sako 4-2 in overtime to net the Wildcats first state title since 1993. Robinson finished third at 103 as a freshman, but last year bowed out after two matches at 119. Not to be outdone, Ignatius junior David Habat added another title for the Wildcats at 145. Habat who finished third the last two years won arguably the state tournament’s toughest and deepest weight class.
Division II Placers
First Place Final 103: Nick Brascetta, Graham maj. dec. Andrew Bertubin, Cambridge 13-4 112: Ty Mitch, Aurora dec. Brandon Gambucci, Lexington 12-7 119: Johnni DiJulius, Walsh Jesuit dec. Drew Stone, Oak Harbor 1-0 125: Zach Neibert, Graham dec. Nate Skonieczny, Walsh Jesuit 8-6 130: Felipe Martinez, Graham pin Ryan Nakama, Big Walnut 1:14 135: David Taylor, Graham pin Manuel Cintron, Alliance 2:39 140: Harrison Hightower, Hunting Val. Univ. School dec. Matt Stephens, Graham 5-2 145: Brian Stephens, Graham maj. dec. Mike Fee, Lake Cath. 14-6 152: Jonathan McGookey, Sandusky Perkins dec. Huston Evans, Graham 9-3 160: Kyle Ryan, Graham dec. Adam Walters, W. Geauga 5-2 171: Zach Garbrandt, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Dennis Raber, Orrville 4-3 189: Max Thomusseit, Graham dec. Nick Mills, Univ. School 4-1 215: Tyler Houska, Medina Highland dec. Dave Pickerel, Tol. Central Cath. 3-2ott 285: Josh Jackson, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Ian Jones, Harvey 5-4
Third Place Finals 103: Luke Langdon, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Brian Spangler, LaGrange Keystone 11-4 112: Isaac Jordan, Graham dec. Erik McLaughlin, Canal Fulton Northwes 8-2 119: James Inghram, Hunting Val. Univ. School dec. John Worthington, Shelby 3-1 125: Brent Fickel, Parma Padua Franciscan dec. Jacob Garringer, Wash. C.H. Miami Trac 3-2 130: Jake Vaughan, Col. St. Francis DeSales pin Shelton Morris, Ravenna Southeast 2:00 135: Ian Miller, Oak Harbor over Matt Hefner, Lima Bath default 140: Dylan Ice, Lisbon Beaver pin Kyle Leek, Warren Howland 2:07 145: Adam Fondale, New Lexington dec. Corey Dulaney, WhitehallYearling 7-5 152: Shane Gifford, Circleville Logan Elm over Brad Wukie, Hunting Val. Univ. School default 160: Brett Mellor, Warsaw River View pin Riley Kilroy, Parma Padua Franciscan 1:34 171: James Mannier, Graham dec. Dustin Sarosy, Perry 5-2 189: Beau Wenger, Navarre Fairless dec. Joe Poyser, Louisville 8-2 215: Logan White, Graham dec. Garren Dilley, Amanda-Clearcreek 6-2 285: Jared Torrence, Norwalk dec. Danny Demick, Chillicothe 3-1ot
Fifth Place Finals 103: John McComas, Lisbon Beaver dec. Cory Stainbrook, Streetsboro 2-0 112: Kyle Warner, Uhrichsville Claymont over Arizona Miller, Lisbon Beaver disq. 119: Alex Minnard, Lancaster Fairfield Union pin Dan Cook, Tol. Central Cath. 1:45 125: Nick Hile, Lexington dec. Tyler Alsip, Norwood 10-6 130: Jake Strausbaugh, Orrville maj. dec. Jake Mellinger, Beloit W. Branch 14-5 135: Randy Henline, Akron Coventry dec. Levi Barnett, Thornville Sheridan 7-3 140: Conrad Rosch, Canal Winchester dec. Mitchell Beemer, Wapakoneta 6-3 145: Mikkal Johnson, Maumee dec. Selo Ramjattan, Greenville 7-4 152: Michael Graves, Maumee pin Rob Eddy, Harrison Central 1:59 160: Darren Tate, SVSM dec. Andrew Nealan, New Richmond 6-5 171: Brian Borac, Lake Cath. dec. Ian Howell, Harrison Central 9-7 189: Jake Henderson, Tol. Central Cath. dec. Ashton Brown, Pemberville Eastwood 3-2 215: Robbie Lias, Hubbard over Branko Busick, Steubenville default 285: Ray Spence, Amanda-Clearcreek pin Vincenzo Cardone, Tol. Central Cath. 4:27
Seventh Place Finals 103: Jordan Burkhart, Carrollton pin Jon Edwards, Greenville 4:25 112: B.J. Miller, Defiance dec. Joey Ward, Goshen 2-0 119: Sheldon Kegley, Graham dec. Michael Perez, Wauseon 10-4 125: Dillon VanDyne, Cambridge over Jake Kazimir, Kenston default 130: Carson Frey, Wauseon pin Evan Storts, Spring. Shawnee 4:53 135: Jeremy Maiwurm, Orrville dec. Chaz Gresham, Goshen 4-3 140: Michael Slaga, Rayland Buckeye Local dec. John Fraley, Streetsboro 8-6 145: Terry Wagenhauser, Defiance maj. dec. Joe Schindel, Akron Arch. Hoban 8-0 152: Tucker Gregor, Buckeye dec. Eric Hildenbrand, Franklin 4-0 160: Reno Bernardo, Col. St. Francis DeSales dec. Mike Mallernee, Oak Harbor 7-4 171: Jason Brown, Napoleon dec. Nick McCall, Wauseon 10-6 189: Paul Lauth, St. Marys Memorial dec. Jake Mallernee, Cadiz Harrison Central 5-2 215: Patrick Sanford, Conneaut dec. Nick Thompson, Tallmadge 6-4 285: John Eckroth, Cadiz Harrison Central dec. Danny Quallich, Medina Buckeye 3-1 ot
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
State Wrestling Finals
PHOTOS BY NICK FALZERANO
103
112
119
125
130
Nick Brascetta
Ty Mitch
Johnni DiJulius
Zach Neibert
Felipe Martinez
Graham H.S., So. 45-0
Aurora H.S., Jr. 40-4 (two-time champion)
Walsh Jesuit H.S., So. 32-1
Graham H.S, Sr. 45-1 (two-time champion)
Graham H.S., Fr. 45-2
David Taylor
Harrison Hightower
Brian Stephens
Jonathan McGookey
Kyle Ryan
Graham H.S., Sr. 48-1
Perkins H.S., Sr. 52-3
Graham H.S., So. 45-9
135
140
University School, Jr. Graham H.S., Sr. 48-0 (four-time champion) 45-4 (two-time champion)
145
152
160
171
189
Zach Garbrandt
Max Thomusseit
Tyler Houska
Josh Jackson
Graham
Claymont H.S., Sr. 27-3
Graham H.S., Jr. 46-2
Medina Highland H.S., Sr. 46-0
Claymont H.S., Sr. 33-6
St. Paris, OH Ninth Straight State Title
JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h io H i g h
215
285
Team
J J H U D D L E . C O M 19
State Wrestling Finals NEW HEIGHTS
Broadview Heights didn’t win the D-I team title, but the Bees showed they are a program on the rise. Coming into the state tournament, BH had two state champions in program history. This year they added two more and had a runner-up. Senior Kyle Lang completed the cycle, adding a state title to previous second, third and fourth place finishes. Lang pinned Hilliard Davidson’s J.T. Rice in 3:04 to win the 160 title. At 285, nationally-ranked Jeremy Johnson won the title with a 5-1 win over Parma Heights Valley Forge’s James Meder. Senior Mike Lanigan nearly added another title, losing 5-3 in overtime in the 189 final.
LOOK OUT
Monroeville missed out on the D-III team title by a point, but it made one in the process. The Eagles enter next season as the D-III favorite thanks to a foursome of state champions – again. A year after winning four individual state titles, Monroeville did it again with the same horses. And they did it convincingly. Sophomore Hunter Stieber won his second title by pinning Galion Northmor’s Tyler Heminger in 1:42, while junior Logan Stieber, his brother, won his third title via tech fall (16-1) over Patrick Henry’s Alex Lopez. Sophomore Cam Tessari won his second title with a major decision (13-0) over Bellaire’s Erik Canter and the hammer – sophomore Chris Phillips – won his second title with a pin of Apple Creek Waynedale’s Jonathan Beam in 2:28. Remarkable.
KNOW HOW
Miamisburg junior Shawn Fayette won his school’s first state title with a 9-4 decision over West Chester Lakota West’s Ty Davis in the D-I 130 final. Fayette, who was second at 125 last year, has a mentor that knows something about winning state titles. Burg’s head coach Willie Wineberg was a four-time champion at Fairfield and has built the Viking program into one of respectability. The Vikings have won four straight Greater Western Ohio Conference titles and are suddenly a regular at the state tournament.
THREE IN THREE
There were three wrestlers in D-III that won their school’s first state titles: Blanchester’s Jake Howe (152), Delphos Jefferson’s Stuart Miller (215) and Greenwich South Central’s Nick Hamilton (285). Miller also wrapped an undefeated (51-0) season.
DOUBLE DOWN
Bloomdale Elmwood’s wrestling history contained two state champions before Saturday. Now it has three – and nearly had four. Sophomore Nick Goebel capped an undefeated season (47-0) by winning the school’s first title since 1998 with a victory at 103. Senior Alex Betts tried to duplicate the feat but fell short at 145.
UNDEFEATED
There were a total of nine wrestlers who finished
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undefeated seasons. They were: Tyler Houska, Medina Highland (46-0, D-II, 215) Jamie Clark, St. Edward (35-0, 119, D-I) Orlando Scales, Cincinnati Elder (39-0, 215, D-I) Nick Brascetta, Graham (45-0, 103, D-II) David Taylor, Graham (48-0, 135, D-II) Nick Goebel, Bloomdale Elmwood (47-0, 103, DIII) Logan Stieber, Monroeville (35-0, 125, D-III) Zach Toal, Troy Christian (47-0, 160) Stuart Miller, Delphos Jefferson (51-0, 215, DIII).
REMEMBER WHEN
There were several wrestlers who made history or snapped long exiles from the state podium for their school. The list includes: - Bryce Baker, Mechanicsburg, D-III, 112: Became school’s second champion and first since 1996. - Travis Harbet, Garrettsville Garfield, D-III, 119: Became school’s first two-time placer with a fourth place finish. - Chris Block, Johnstown-Monroe, D-III, 140: Fifth place finish is highest ever by a Johnnies wrestler. - Beau Bowden, North Lima South Range, DIII, 171: Became school’s first placer ever by finishing third. - Matt Dues, Harrod Allen East, D-III, 189: Fourth place finish earned school’s first visit to the podium ever. - Ethan Hayes, New Lebanon Dixie, D-III, 215: Second place finish is highest ever by a Greyhounds wrestler. - Matt Hefner, Lima Bath, D-II, 135: Became school’s highest placer ever with third place finish. - Corey Dulaney, Whitehall-Yearling, D-II, 145: Earned school’s first spot on the podium since 1990 with fourth place finish. - Shane Gifford, Circleville Logan Elm, D-II, 152: Third place finish is highest ever by a Braves wrestler. - Andrew Nealen, New Richmond, D-II, 160: Is school’s first state placer since 1993. Finished sixth. - Danny Demick, Chillicothe, D-II, 285: Earned school’s first spot on the podium since 1996 with fourth place finish. - Dennis Cox, Bowling Green, D-I, 285: Became school’s first placer since 1993 with eighth place finish.
BLAME THE ECONOMY
The finals and overall attendance for the state tournament were the lowest they have been since the event moved from Wright State’s Nutter Center in 1999. A crowd of 14,787 witnessed the finals, while the five-session total was 64,914. Last year crowds of 14,498 and 65,835 took in the finals and tournament, respectively. In 2007 the numbers were 15,685 and 69,746. The largest five-session total ever is 75,582 in 2003.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The 73rd annual state wrestling championships will be held March 4-6, 2010 at the Schottenstein Center. — OH
Division III Placers
First Place Finals 103: Nick Goebel, Bloomdale Elmwood dec. Alex Dronzek, Beachwood 3-2 112: Bryce Baker, Mechanicsburg dec. Spencer Pierce, N. Union 6-3 119: Hunter Stieber, Monroeville pin Tyler Heminger, Northmor 1:42 125: Logan Stieber, Monroeville tech. fall Alex Lopez, Hamler Patrick Henry 16-1 130: Cam Tessari, Monroeville maj. dec. Erik Canter, Bellaire 13-0 135: Tyler Powers, CVCA dec. Ben Kuzma, Hopewell-Loudon 7-1 140: Zac Hancock, Troy Christian dec. Zach Noernberg, Cle. Cuyahoga Hts. 13-7 145: Chris Burns, Troy Christian dec. Alex Betts, Bloomdale Elmwood 2-1 152: Jake Howe, Blanchester maj. dec. Kyle Burns, Troy Christian 14-4 160: Zach Toal, Troy Christian maj. dec. Alex Utley, CVCA. 15-5 171: Chris Phillips, Monroeville pin Jonathan Beam, Apple Creek Waynedale 2:28 189: Corby Running, Clarksville Clinton-Massie dec. Colton Bowers, Marion Pleasant 5-3ot 215: Stuart Miller, Delphos Jefferson dec. Ethan Hayes, Dixie 7-1 285: Nick Hamilton, S. Central dec. Josh Morosko, Tuslaw 7-4
Third Place Finals 103: David Harrington, Sand. St. Mary C.C. dec. Jeremy Border, Caldwell 4-3 112: Jonny Tolson, Delta dec. Seth Powers, Cuy. Val. Chr. Acad. 2-0 119: Santino Pizzuto, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton dec. Travis Harbert, Garrettsville Ga 2-1 125: Zak Vargo, CVCA dec. Eli Donahue, Massillon Tuslaw 6-4 130: Joe Bruewer, Cin. Deer Park dec. Johnny Carpenter, Cin. Madeira 9-4 135: David Malkus, Burton Berkshire dec. Dominic Prezzia, St. Clairsville 6-5 140: Dann Miller, Brookfield dec. Cody Coomes, Marion Pleasant 3-2 145: Robbie Chilson, Bellaire dec. Andrew DeHart, Covington 6-5 152: Cody Walters, Bedford St. Peter Chanel maj. dec. Bryson Hall, Doylestown Chippew 10-0 160: Kyle Kwiat, Tiffin Calvert dec. Ashton Packard, Belpre 4-2 171: Beau Bowden, N. Lima South Range dec. Cody Rodgers, Mechanicsburg 9-7 189: Kurt Schaefer, W. Salem Northwestern dec. Matt Dues, Harrod Allen East 9-4 215: Greg Hojnacki, CVCA dec. Craig Ritz, Milan Edison 7-6 285: Hugh Thornton, Oberlin dec. Mike Treon, Versailles 7-1
Fifth Place Finals 103: Thomas McLaughlin, Nelsonville-York dec. Vinnie Pizzuto, N. Jackson Jackson-Milt 3-2ott 112: Zach Porter, Bellaire dec. Tim Triskett, Cle. VA-St. Joseph 3-1 119: Mike Kovach, St. Peter Chanel dec. Dom Barlow, Heath 9-7 125: Riki Reynolds, Marion Pleasant dec. Kyle Burns, Milan Edison 6-3 130: Jimmy Dankle, Cle. Cuyahoga Hts. over Brandon Sommers, CVCA default 135: Jeff Vitallo, Apple Creek Waynedale dec. Brendon Klaus, Mechanicsburg 12-9ott 140: Chris Block, Johnstown-Monroe dec. Joshua Goebel, Edgerton 4-3 145: Quinton Cooperider, Marion Pleasant over Aaron Hunter, Akron Manchester default 152: Tyler Rayl, Bluffton dec. Johnny Merryman, Shadyside 7-4 160: Shayne Stewart, Mogadore dec. Peter Lewis, W. Liberty-Salem 7-5 171: Royal Brettrager, Kirtland pin J.J. Hrabak, St. Wendelin 2:56 189: Colton Zody, Wooster Triway dec. Justin Cheesman, Ashland Crestview 7-4 215: Kyle Kelly, Akron Manchester dec. Dan Clawson, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton 4-1 285: Chris Doughty, Norwalk St. Paul over Tyler Obringer, Spencerville default
Seventh Place Finals 103: Michael Ratay, CVCA dec. Anthony Elchert, Arcadia 8-7 112: Tim Wiseman, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton dec. Brandon Booker, Cin. Purcell Marian 4-0 119: Jordan Hancock, Troy Christian dec. Carl Moody, NelsonvilleYork 8-5 125: Johnny Matacic, Jackson-Milton dec. Alex Panno, Blanchester 12-6 130: Tony Cardiero, Girard dec. Marco Gualtieri, W. Jefferson 11-4 135: Kyle Begg, Bluffton dec. Keith Tanner, Johnstown-Monroe 7-1 140: Chad Sonnenberg, Van Buren dec. Donny Montoney, Peninsula Woodridge 5-3 145: Kyle Freiberg, Middlefield Cardinal dec. Dustin Chatterton, Dixie 10-4 152: Nico Francis, Girard maj. dec. Sean Prather, W. Jefferson 11-2 160: Matt Ramage, Wellington dec. Jake Elling, Liberty Center 10-5 171: Kyle Keplinger, Troy Christian dec. Geoff Hainline, Norwalk St. Paul 11-6 189: Zack McKnight, Carlisle dec. Robert Blake, Defiance Tinora 5-4 215: Schuyler Bondy, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. pin Josh Salyers, Mechanicsburg 4:24 285: Greg Dailey, Independence pin Mimmo Lytle, Swanton 4:52
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
State Wrestling Finals
PHOTOS BY NICK FALZERANO
103
Nick Goebel Elmwood H.S., So. 47-0
112
119
125
130
Bryce Baker
Hunter Stieber
Logan Stieber
Cam Tessari
Mechanicsburg H.S., Sr. Monroeville H.S., So. Monroeville H.S, Jr. Monroeville H.S., So. 36-9 47-1 (two-time champion) 35-0, (three-time champion) 43-2 (two-time champion)
140
145
152
160
Tyler Powers
Zac Hancock
Chris Burns
Jake Howe
Zach Toal
CVCA H.S., Sr. 37-2
Troy Christian H.S., Sr. 43-4 (two-time champion)
Troy Christian H.S., Sr. 27-2
Blanchester H.S., Jr. 50-2
Troy Christian H.S., Sr. 47-0 (three-time champion)
Chris Phillips
Corby Running
Stuart Miller
Nick Hamilton
Troy Christian
Monroeville H.S., So. 49-1 (two-time champion)
Clinton-Massie H.S., Jr. 43-2
Delphos Jefferson H.S., Sr. 51-0
South Central H.S.,Sr. 45-2
Troy, Oh Third Straight State Title
135
171
189
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215
285
Team
J J H U D D L E . C O M 21
S t a t e W r e s t l i n g A l l - T o u r n a m e n t Te a m
PHOTOS BY NICK FALZERANO
STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ
103
112
119
125
130
Nick Brascetta
Jerome Robinson
Jamie Clark
Logan Stieber
Felipe Martinez
Graham H.S., So. 45-0, D-II Champion
St. Ignatius H.S., Jr. 39-3, D-I Champion
St. Edward H.S., Jr. 35-0, D-I Champion
Monroeville H.S, Jr. 35-0, D-III Champion
Graham H.S., Fr. 45-2, D-II Champion
135
140
145
152
160
David Taylor
Collin Palmer
David Habat
Jonathan McGookey
Zach Toal
Graham H.S., Sr. 48-0, D-II Champion
St. Edward H.S., Sr. 39-2, D-I Champion
St. Ignatius H.S., Jr. 40-3, D-I Champion
Perkins H.S., Sr. 52-3, D-II Champion
Troy Christian H.S., Sr. 47-0, D-III Champion
Chris Phillips
Andrew Tumlin
Orlando Scales
Jeremy Johnson
Jeff Jordan
Monroeville H.S., So. 49-1, D-III Champion
Harrison H.S., Sr. 42-1, D-I Champion
Elder H.S., Sr. 39-0, D-I Champion
Broadview Heights H.S., Sr. 36-2, D-I Champion
Graham H.S. Best Team Ever? Yes.
171
189
22 J J H U D D L E . C O M
215
285
Coach
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
STORY BY ERIC FRANTZ
Photo by Nick Falzerano
JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h io H i g h
O h i o W r e s t l e r o f t h e Ye a r
J J H U D D L E . C O M 23
I
O h i o W r e s t l e r o f t h e Ye a r t’s hard to imagine David Taylor as an ordinary wrestler. Let alone one that wasn’t very good. “I was absolutely terrible,” said Taylor, recounting his first year. “I didn’t win a match all year until the very last tournament. I remember after that my dad asked if I wanted to do it again the next year and I couldn’t believe wrestling season was already over. He seemed surprised that I wanted to do it again since I was so bad, but he thought maybe I had a passion for it, and I did. “I remember that first year the beginning wrestlers had to wrestle on the gym floor and the advanced wrestlers got to wrestle on the stage. I wanted to wrestle up on that stage.” Since earning an invitation in elevation the next year, Taylor has been on a different level in his wrestling career.
One of Ohio’s top wrestlers ever regardless of weight, Taylor, a senior at St. Paris Graham High School, is arguably the state’s top lightweight wrestler in history. Any list of Ohio’s Top 10 wrestlers of all-time has to include him. Taylor’s resume reads like Aesop wrote it. - Four Division II state titles - Three Ohio junior high state titles - Four Walsh Ironman titles (only wrestler ever to do so) - Five Junior and National Cadet National Championships - Two Super 32 titles - A Beast of the East crown There’s literally nothing Taylor hasn’t accomplished during his high school career. He’s even lost. Ending his prep run with a 180-2 career record on March 7 at the Ohio High School State Wrestling Championships in Columbus, Taylor wrapped an impressive four-year stretch that includes an undefeated record the past two seasons. Ranked No. 1 in the country this season at 135 pounds, Taylor also has four state team titles to his credit and a national championship (2008). This season Graham set the state team scoring record and had a record seven individual state champions. The Falcons were ranked No. 2 in the nation. No, Taylor doesn’t own a cape, but it sure seems like he should. “Graham has produced a lot of hammers throughout the years and without question David Taylor is right at the top of that list as one of the best ever to come out of here,” Graham head coach Jeff Jordan – a four-time state champion himself – said. “David has stepped up one more level than what most people get to.” Taylor’s trail to the top has had plenty of turns, detours and hazards – but like his opponents – he’s overcome 99-percent of them.
YOU’RE FROM WHERE?
Evanston, Wyoming is a small town located in the southwest part of the state. It’s four miles from Utah and 10 from Colorado. Its population is 11,507. It’s also the place where David Taylor’s story starts. His mom Kathy gets credit for the first push. “When I was little I tried all sports and I was real hyper,” Taylor said. “My mom saw an ad in the local newspaper for a youth wrestling program and
24 J J H U D D L E . C O M
“There are kids that want to wrestle, there are kids that have to wrestle and there are kids that love to wrestle. I love to wrestle. I love the sport. I think about it all the time and I have a passion for it. I’m always looking to get better every day.”
Graham High School senior David Taylor she signed me up and took me. That was it.” Taylor started wrestling at age 5 and struggled, losing every bout his first year except for the season’s final tournament where something clicked and he won a match. The next year the snowball began. Taylor improved as a six and seven year-old and blossomed when he turned eight. “I look back on it, and that first year fueled me,” Taylor said. “I just kept going and kept getting better.” Taylor’s dad also played an integral part. A former high school wrestler, Taylor’s father Dave moved the family around when David was younger, finishing out his military duty with stints in Florida and Georgia. David was born in Nevada (Reno). After settling in Evanston and getting a job (pilot) with Delta Airlines at the Salt Lake City Airport, Dave Taylor started to nurture his son’s wrestling addiction. On trips the elder Taylor would watch wrestling videos and attend meets, taking notes of technique. When he returned home the duo would refine the form in the basement. David got so good, the family had to start leaving the state to find suitable competition. What they found was a gold mine. One of the venues Taylor landed at was Wasatch High School in Heber, Utah. There, under the guidance of Wasatch varsity coach Steve
Sanderson, Taylor would regularly drill against an up and coming wrestler one-year his elder named Jason Chamberlin. Chamberlin (Springville, Utah/Boise State) as it turns out became the country’s No. 1 ranked wrestler in the Class of 2008. Taylor – many think – holds the same distinction for 2009. And Coach Sanderson? He’s the father of Iowa State wrestling legend and Olympic Gold Medalist Cael Sanderson. Sanderson went 159-0 at Iowa State and is the only collegiate wrestler ever to finish his career undefeated. He’s also got three brothers that won Utah High School state titles at Wasatch. “That’s where I got to know Cyler and Cael and Cody and Cole,” Taylor said. “When they would come home during the summers I would wrestle with them. That was before Cael was Cael. I think he was a red-shirt freshman.” The Sandersons aren’t the only famous wrestling family to have an influence on Taylor. After getting his “butt kicked” at the Cliff Keen Tournament and finishing “one spot out of placing” at the ensuing Tulsa Nationals, Taylor broke through to win the Reno Worlds as an eight-year old. He was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler. “That was when I turned the corner,” Taylor said. “That was the watershed moment if I had to look back on one thing.” The next year Taylor came to Ohio and attended camp with his friends from Cleveland – the Palmers, Lance and Collin. “We were really good friends,” Taylor said. “I would stay with them and then go to camps with Lance and Collin. That’s how I got to my first Jordan Camp.” Lance and Collin were both four-time Ohio High School state champions at Lakewood St. Edward High School. Jeff Jordan’s summer camps are also legendary. And once Taylor attended that first one he was hooked. Fate got pinned too. A few months later Dave Taylor got orders for a transfer. The choices were Boston, Atlanta or Cincinnati. Wrestling-wise the choice was a nobrainer. As for the school district, that was another matter. “When we knew we were moving to Ohio we started looking around at some programs,” Taylor said. “At the time there was a big article about
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh
O h i o W r e s t l e r o f t h e Ye a r Moeller and how they had just got a big, brand new wrestling room. My dad actually emailed their coach and he never returned the email. So we looked elsewhere. If he had returned that email, it’s possible I’d be at Cincinnati Moeller.” Taylor landed at Graham. “Dad asked me where I might like to go so I told him that I liked Coach Jordan and I liked his camps,” Taylor said. “I told him that if we could move there, that would be awesome.” Done. “When you get a guy that fired up for wrestling – who all he wants to do is wrestle – that’s good for your room,” Jordan said. “David had been to our camp for 5-6 years before he enrolled. It was either here or Atlanta or Boston. And Georgia doesn’t have the best high school wrestling and neither does Massachusetts, so it was just kind of lucky for us that Ohio was an option. “We’re glad Cincinnati has a Delta hub.” Taylor arrived prior to the sixth grade and won the first of three junior high state titles later that year. Winning over friends wasn’t so easy. “It took me a while to fit in with friends and I sat by myself at the lunch table for two weeks,” Taylor said. “I’m not sure why it took me so long – I’m not a shy kid – but the friends I finally made then are still my best friends today. Josh Schuler, he plays basketball, he’s my best friend. Austin Jones (basketball) and Seth Rogers (baseball) are also two of my really good friends.” Just for good measure, Schuler is arguably the best basketball player in Graham history, having led the Falcons to back-to-back district titles and undefeated regular seasons and a state Final Four appearance last season. He’s the program’s alltime leading scorer and was named the Southwest District D-II Player of the Year. Jones is the basketball program’s all-time leader in assists. Rogers is an All-Central Buckeye Conference baseball player.
Taylor received a standing ovation after winning his fourth state title.
DIFFERENT BREED
Photo by Nick Falzerano
JJ Hu d d l e ’ s O h io H i g h
Graham High School had a strong wrestling legacy long before Taylor enrolled. Jeff and older brother Jim Jordan both won four state titles for the Falcons in the early 1980s. As a program, Graham has won nine straight D-II state titles and 11 overall. Individually, Graham wrestlers have won 50 state championships. Without Taylor the Falcons resume is absurd. With him it’s mythical. While he became the 17th wrestler in Ohio history to win four state titles in March, Taylor became the first Ohio wrester ever to do something else in January. On the bus ride home from the Alliance Top Gun Invite, Taylor sought out Jordan and made an astonishing proposition. “We’re freezing on the bus coming home from Alliance and David just comes up and sits in my seat and says ‘Coach I need to talk to you,’” Jordan said. “He said he wanted to move up to 140 to wrestle (Collin) Palmer. I went ‘Wow.’ That was the last thing I was thinking.” Palmer, like Taylor, was ranked No. 1 in the country at his weight class and was a three-time defending state champion. Never before had two three-time defending state
J J H U D D L E . C O M 25
O h i o W r e s t l e r o f t h e Ye a r champions squared off in Ohio history. Let alone two nationally No. 1 ranked wrestlers. “We decided (that) Sunday at noon because I wanted to make sure that everyone knew and I wanted to be fair to Collin and didn’t want to surprise him,” Jordan said. “We made the decision and called some people in Cleveland to make sure they got the word out.” The following weekend a standing room only crowd watched as Taylor defeated Palmer 8-5. He trailed 4-3 entering the third period. “I’ve had a lot of people ask me what makes David Taylor so good,” Jordan said. “He’s good in
Talk about a titanic tilt. “A lot of guys nowadays shy away from the bigname wrestlers,” Jordan said. “They always tend to be a weight class above or below. I think there is going to be more matches now where guys say ‘What the heck, if I get beat I get beat.’ I mean David Taylor came to me and said ‘Coach there’s a 50-50 chance I lose this match but it’s something that I just want to do.’ “Whether we won or lost I thought it was the right thing to do.” “People don’t do that,” Taylor added. “People don’t bump up a weight to do that. If you’re as
Photo by Nick Falzerano
Photo by Greg Beers
he’s fulfilling a self-prophecy. “(During those days at Wasatch High) I remember telling my dad how cool it would be if Cael was the head coach at Iowa State one day and I got to wrestle for him,” Taylor said. “Now I do.” Taylor also considered Oklahoma State and Ohio State. Ultimately though he choose the Cyclones. “In the end, Iowa State just had the environment I wanted,” Taylor said. “Cael’s a great guy and I have a pretty good relationship with him. We talk about once a week. They had everything I wanted.”
Photo by Nick Falzerano
Taylor is headed to Iowa State University after also considering Oklahoma State and Ohio State.
Taylor beat St. Edward’s Collin Palmer in Ohio’s first match-up ever between threetime defending state champions.
Taylor hugs his father Dave after winning his fourth Division II state title. Taylor’s mother Kathy is in the background.
all positions and he’s good on the mat, but I think his best attribute is he never violates position. He never comes out of his stance and he always sticks to the game plan. He always does what needs to be done when it needs to be done. He has unbelievable discipline as a wrestler. He’s never flustered. “Palmer took him down in the first eight seconds. The second period he got reversed and he was down 4-1, but it never shook him. He stuck to the plan and showed no emotion until after the match. Then I think he was pretty happy.” So were his teammates. Taylor’s challenge didn’t go unnoticed or underappreciated. “When Palmer took him down in the first eight seconds I thought uh-oh this might go bad, but David never quit,” senior James Mannier (171) said. “That was a great day for Graham wrestling and for David.” “I didn’t see how he could lose,” senior Brian Stephens (145) added. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but when David sets his mind to do something he does it. I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do.” The loss was Palmer’s first to an Ohio wrestler. He – like Taylor – won his fourth state title on March 7.
high-profile as we are you try to stay away from each other, but I wanted to do it so now maybe more kids will stop running from each other.” The competition has run from Taylor plenty. It’s no fun knowing you’re going to lose. Of his 16 state matches over four years, only one went the full six minutes. That bout – the state final his freshman year – Taylor won by major decision 10-2. Only five times since his sophomore year did Taylor go six minutes with any opponent, and one was Palmer. He won at least 42 matches every year of high school. “Wrestling at Graham is not so much a sport but rather a way of life,” Jordan said. “Kids eat, sleep and breath wrestling here and David’s taken that a step farther. Wrestling is his life. It’s been that way for a long time.” “There are kids that want to wrestle, there are kids that have to wrestle and there are kids that love to wrestle,” Taylor said. “I love to wrestle. I love the sport. I think about it all the time and I have a passion for it. I’m always looking to get better every day.”
At the state wrestling championships, Taylor received a much-deserved standing ovation after his finals match and again at the medal presentation. He plans to experience applause like that a couple more times. Including once on the world’s biggest stage. “When I was younger I had a goal – and its was kind of crazy,” Taylor said. “ But I wanted to be a four-time high school champion, a four-time NCAA champion and an Olympic Champion. Being a four-time NCAA champ is a hefty goal, and if I can be lucky enough to win one title that would be great. But when I go out there I plan on being competitive. Ultimately I want to make the Olympic team in 2016. “I want to be an Olympic champion.” Said Jordan: “David Taylor is going to go to college and be very successful. He’s going to be contending for national titles every year and hey, the Olympics is the long-term goal and David Taylor is going to shoot for that. “David reaches his goals. He’s one of the few guys that once he sets his mind to something he puts his whole life into it. I know his next goal is to win four national titles and make the Olympic team. He’s got just as good a chance to do that as anyone else.” — OH
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CYCLONE
Fittingly, Taylor is headed to Iowa State to wrestle for head coach Cael Sanderson. In the process
JJ Hu ddle’ s O h io Hi gh