State Wrestling 2009 Suuplement

J JHUDDLE .COM 15JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

State Wrest l ing F inalsSTORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

Photo by Nick Falzerano

Graham junior MaxThomusseit won the D-II189 title to give Graham arecord seven individualchampions.

or 72 years Ohio has held a state cham-pionship in wrestling. None of the previ-ous 71 can compare with the latest.On March 7 at Ohio State’s

Schottenstein Center, the 72nd annualState Wrestling Championships pro-duced history, heroics and the flat outabsurd.

A 58-year old record was broken, the team scor-ing record was shattered and there was a four-timewinner. And that was all done by one team.Want more? There’s plenty.

BEST OF ALL-TIME?Can you picture a football team scoring 100

points in a state final? How about a basketballteam scoring 200? That’s the equivalent of whatSt. Paris Graham did en route to its ninth DivisionII state title and 11th overall.The Falcons scored a head-shaking 282 points

and produced seven individual champions. Bothare state records.The previous points record of 229 was set by

Lakewood St. Edward in 2007. Graham had 221by the end of competition on March 6.The D-II runner-up – Uhrichsville Claymont – fin-

ished a full 201 points behind.As for the seven individual state titles, that mark

breaks the old record of six set by Cleveland Westin 1951.Graham qualified 13 wrestlers to state and all of

them stood on the podium. The Falcons also hadwrestlers place second (two), third (three) and sev-enth.“I’m very happy with our performance,” Graham

head coach Jeff Jordan said. “A lot of people weretalking about the record and whether we couldbreak six and get seven and I said somebody isgoing to have to step up and do something. Wewere kind of favored in five of them, but when KyleRyan won that one I said ‘Well you know maybethis is possible.’“This is a great team and this is probably the

closest team I’ve ever coached. We’re all on thesame page. It’s a real privilege to be the headcoach of this team.”Graham’s winners were: sophomore Nick

Brascetta (103), senior Zach Neibert (125), fresh-man Felipe Martinez (130), senior David Taylor

J JHUDDLE .COM16 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

State Wrest l ing F inals

F

Division I-III State Wrestling Finals

March 6-8, 2009 @ The Schottentstein Center

Graham shatters state records;St. Edward and Troy Christian

also defend team titles

“This is a great team and this is probablythe closest team I’ve ever coached. We’reall on the same page. It’s a real privilege

to be the head coach of this team.”

Graham Head Coach Jeff Jordan

Falcons break 58-year old record with seven individualchampions; St. Edward wins 13th straight D-I championship

St. Edward senior Collin Palmer won hisfourth state title to become just the18th wrestler in Ohio history to do so.


First Place Finals103: Kory Mines, Maple Hts. dec. Brian Hauser, Lyndhurst Brush 4-1112: Jerome Robinson, Cle. St. Ignatius dec. Gus Sako, Lakewood St.Edward 4-2ot119: Jamie Clark, Lakewood St. Edward maj. dec. David Bolger,Strongsville 12-4125: SamWhite, Massillon Perry dec. Nick Lawrence, Westlake 3-2130: Shawn Fayette, Miamisburg dec. Ty Davis, W. Chester LakotaWest 9-4135: Robert Shepherd, Mason dec. John Gallagher, St. Xavier 7-5140: Collin Palmer, Lakewood St. Edward dec. Tommy Sasfy,Reynoldsburg 3-1145: David Habat, Cle. St. Ignatius dec. T.J. Rigel, New CarlisleTecumseh 4-3152: Josh Demas, Westerville North dec. Nick Sulzer, Lakewood St.Edward 4-3160: Kyle Lang, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. pin J.T. Rice, Hilliard Davidson3:04171: Nick Heflin, Massillon Perry dec. Cory Hayes, Mayfield Vill.Mayfield 3-1189: Andrew Tumlin, Harrison dec. Mike Lanigan, Brecksville-Broad.Hts. 5-3ot215: Orlando Scales, Cin. Elder pin DenicosAllen, Hamilton 3:26285: Jeremy Johnson, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. dec. James Meder,Parma Hts. Valley Forg 5-1

Third Place Finals103: John Dillon, Young. Boardman dec. Mike Labry, Twinsburg 6-5112: Kagan Squire, Wadsworth dec. Leslie Polley, Maple Hts. 5-0119: Jake Corrill, Cin. Arch. Moeller maj. dec. Dan McNulty, MayfieldVill. Mayfield 11-3125: Jake McCombs, Marysville dec. Jake Sage, Ket. Fairmont 6-4130: Dalton McHenry, Elyria dec. Zach Dailey, Massillon Perry 13-6135: Anthony Salupo, Lakewood St. Edward dec. Scott Mattingly,Uniontown Lake 4-2140: Waquiem Comar, Twinsburg dec. Tommy Fehring, Glen Este 3-1145: Pierce Harger, Cin. Arch. Moeller maj. dec. Kevin Drake, UpperArlington 12-0152: Andrew Gasber, Madison dec. Aron Brenner, Canfield 6-4160: Darren Rhodes, Macedonia Nordonia dec. Tylan Coleman,Mayfield Vill. Mayfield 6-5171: Kyle Dilley, Lancaster dec. Cody Lamberg, Akron Kenmore 12-7189: Greg Isley, Sylvania Southview dec. Kyle Sanders, Col. St.Charles 3-0215: Nick Tavanello, Wadsworth pin Nate Weeks, Marysville 4:59285: AdamWalls, Beavercreek dec. Ben Buzzelli, Wadsworth 2-1

Fifth Place Finals103: Nick Garcia, Oregon Clay maj. dec. Corey Selmon, Princeton 10-1112: ShawnAgue, Austintown-Fitch dec. JeremyArtrip, Mason 3-1119: Nick Hannan, Massillon Perry dec. Nick McSorley, TrentonEdgewood 7-4125: Callen Vanderhoff, Marion Harding maj. dec. Jesse Walker,Clayton Northmont 14-6130: Charlie Packard, Brecksville-Broad. Hts. dec. Ryan Hoyt, Cle. St.Ignatius 3-2135: Mike Hillock, Massillon Perry dec. Joe Parra, Barberton 4-2ot140: Dylan Zivcic, Mentor over Brad Squire, Wadsworth forfeit145: Jerrel Valliant, Sandusky dec. Seth Horner, Massillon Perry 3-2152: Joe Crabtree, Hilliard Darby pin Phillip Egnor, Elyria 4:59160: Zack Goins, Elyria over Caleb Marsh, Marysville default171: Marc Bryan, Cle. St. Ignatius dec. Marlon Baker, Twinsburg 5-3189: Andrew Borgstrom, Middletown dec. Nick Miller, Centerville 7-5ot215: Kyle Rose, Centerville over Ryan Nelisse, Elyria default285: Sean Brooks, Northmont dec. Zach Laird, Olmsted Falls 3-1

Seventh Place Finals103: George DiCamillo, Cle. St. Ignatius tech. fall Trevor Fiorucci,Lewis Center Ole 15-0112: Max Byrd, LaSalle dec. Angelo DiSabato, Hilliard Davidson 16-9119: Alex Marzec, Tol. DeSales dec. Alex Gray, Wadsworth 5-4125: Tyler Dalton, Barberton dec. Cody Shivener, Springboro 4-2130: Austin Sanders, Gr. City Central Crossing pin Tyler Riegle,Springboro 2:43135: Louden Gordon, Wadsworth pin Randy Languis, Dublin Scioto3:53140: Joe Grandominico, Lewis Center Olentangy dec. Jerrell Hodge,Bedford 1-0145: Louis Greco, Austintown-Fitch dec. Trevor Nickolai, Piqua 5-2152: Chet Bissell, Twinsburg pin Justin Sneary, Tecumseh 2:57160: Justin Wharton, Oregon Clay dec. Ian Korb, Cin. Elder 7-2171: Michael Alexander, Findlay dec. Patrick Rigsby, St. Charles 8-5189: Andrew Phillips, Massillon Perry dec. Caleb Busson, Wadsworth3-1215: Roman Lawson, Shaker Hts. dec. Seth Nelson, Groveport-Madison 10-5285: Steve Powell, Moeller dec. Dennis Cox, Bowling Green 3-1ot

Division I Placers


State Wrest l ing F inalsSTORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

Kory MinesMaple Heights H.S., Jr.

41-4

Jerome RobinsonSt. Ignatius H.S., Jr.

39-3

Jamie ClarkSt. Edward H.S., Jr.

35-0 (two-time champion)

Sam WhiteMassillon Perry H.S, Sr.41-1 (two-time champion)

Shawn FayetteMiamisburg H.S., Jr.

43-2

103 112 119 125 130

Robert ShepherdMason H.S., Jr.

35-3

Collin PalmerSt. Edward H.S., Sr.

39-2 (four-time champion)

David HabatSt. Ignatius H.S., Jr.

40-3

Josh DemasWesterville North H.S., Jr.

46-1

Kyle LangBroadview Heights H.S., Sr.

40-3

135 140 145 152 160

Nick HeflinMassillon Perry H.S., Sr.

42-2

Andrew TumlinHarrison H.S., Sr.

42-1

Orlando ScalesElder H.S., Sr.


Jeremy JohnsonBroadview Heights H.S., Sr.

36-2

St. EdwardLakewood, OH

13th Straight State Title

171 189 215 285 Team

PHOTOS BY NICK FALZERANO



(135), senior Brian Stephens (145), sophomoreKyle Ryan (160) and junior Max Thomusseit (189).Thomusseit pushed the Falcons past the brink

with a hard-fought 4-1 win over University Schoolsenior 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 scoringrecord.“James Mannier had a heartbreak last night

when he lost in the semis,” Jordan said. “He’s theonly senior who didn’t win a title but you knowwhat? He’s the one who broke the (scoring) recordthis morning when he pinned the guy. That got usover 229 points and I’m real happy James did that.I’m really happy that Max finished off the night withthe 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 beable 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 thefinals we knew we had a legitimate shot at it.“Boy, did we perform.”

NOT SO FASTMuch 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 surpriseBrecksville-Broadview Heights to capture their 13thstraight D-I title and 25th overall. Only CincinnatiSt. Xavier’s boys swim team (30) has more statetitles in one sport.During the regular season the Eagles lost twice

to Wadsworth in duals and lost to Massillon Perryat the Medina Invitational.Both teams were still in contention after the first

two sessions, but St. Ed separated itself during thesemifinals.The Eagles advanced four to finals and took

home two titles: junior Jamie Clark (119) and sen-ior 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 andCleveland St. Ignatius fourth (76.5). Wadsworth fin-ished fifth (74).

CALL OF DUTYSome saw Troy Christian senior Jordan Thome’s

loss in the D-III quarterfinals as a huge upset. Andon 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 FairmontDistrict yet tried to gut out the state tournament. Hewore a brace for his D-III 135 opener and beatMonroeville’s Cal Clark. Thome then dropped hisnext two bouts.The victory over Clark though made all the dif-

ference. The three points Thome earned in thatmatch helped propel the Eagles to their thirdstraight D-III title. TC beat Monroeville by one point(113-112). Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academywas third with an impressive showing (103 points).Thome – appropriately – is going to wrestle for

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 wewere worried about him coming out here, but heput a brace on it and wrestled a kid fromMonroeville in the first round. That’s the difference.He won and we got three instead of them gettingthree. 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 pointcounts.”TC had three individual champions in seniors

Zac Hancock (140), Chris Burns (145) and ZachToal (160). The state title was Hancock’s secondand 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 Pleasant154-151.5.“Getting three in a row has been a real focus all

year,” Goudy said. “We just had the right kids stepup at the right time. The kids see those wall brack-ets up on the wall and they want to get up there.They want to get on that wall.”

TWO FOR FOURGraham’s Taylor and St. Edward’s Palmer added

their names to an elite list by winning their fourthstate titles. Taylor became the 17th wrestler in his-tory to accomplish the feat, minutes before Palmerbecame 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 andSophomore) and 112 (junior). Ranked No. 1 in the country, Taylor wraps his high

school career with a record of 180-2. He hasn’t lostfor two years and won at least 42 matches everyhigh school season. Taylor is headed to IowaState.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 pro-gram 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 titlesapiece at Graham. They won their other two atMassillon Perry and Columbus DeSales, respec-tively.

WAY TO REBOUNDA year after losing his first two state matches

and going home, Cleveland St. Ignatius seniorJerome Robinson went to the top of the podium.Robinson beat St. Edward’s Gus Sako 4-2 in over-time 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. Habatwho finished third the last two years won arguablythe state tournament’s toughest and deepestweight class.

First Place Final103: Nick Brascetta, Grahammaj. dec.AndrewBertubin, Cambridge 13-4112: Ty Mitch, Aurora dec. Brandon Gambucci, Lexington 12-7119: Johnni DiJulius, Walsh Jesuit dec. Drew Stone, Oak Harbor 1-0125: Zach Neibert, Graham dec. Nate Skonieczny, Walsh Jesuit 8-6130: Felipe Martinez, Graham pin Ryan Nakama, Big Walnut 1:14135: David Taylor, Graham pin Manuel Cintron, Alliance 2:39140: Harrison Hightower, Hunting Val. Univ. School dec. MattStephens, Graham 5-2145: Brian Stephens, Grahammaj. dec. Mike Fee, Lake Cath. 14-6152: Jonathan McGookey, Sandusky Perkins dec. Huston Evans,Graham 9-3160: Kyle Ryan, Graham dec. AdamWalters, W. Geauga 5-2171: Zach Garbrandt, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Dennis Raber,Orrville 4-3189: Max Thomusseit, Graham dec. Nick Mills, Univ. School 4-1215: Tyler Houska, Medina Highland dec. Dave Pickerel, Tol. CentralCath. 3-2ott285: Josh Jackson, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Ian Jones, Harvey 5-4

Third Place Finals103: Luke Langdon, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Brian Spangler,LaGrange Keystone 11-4112: Isaac Jordan, Graham dec. Erik McLaughlin, Canal FultonNorthwes 8-2119: James Inghram, Hunting Val. Univ. School dec. JohnWorthington, Shelby 3-1125: Brent Fickel, Parma Padua Franciscan dec. Jacob Garringer,Wash. C.H. Miami Trac 3-2130: Jake Vaughan, Col. St. Francis DeSales pin Shelton Morris,Ravenna Southeast 2:00135: Ian Miller, Oak Harbor over Matt Hefner, Lima Bath default140: Dylan Ice, Lisbon Beaver pin Kyle Leek, Warren Howland 2:07145: Adam Fondale, New Lexington dec. Corey Dulaney, Whitehall-Yearling 7-5152: Shane Gifford, Circleville Logan Elm over Brad Wukie, HuntingVal. Univ. School default160: Brett Mellor, Warsaw River View pin Riley Kilroy, Parma PaduaFranciscan 1:34171: James Mannier, Graham dec. Dustin Sarosy, Perry 5-2189: Beau Wenger, Navarre Fairless dec. Joe Poyser, Louisville 8-2215: LoganWhite, Graham dec. Garren Dilley,Amanda-Clearcreek 6-2285: Jared Torrence, Norwalk dec. Danny Demick, Chillicothe 3-1ot

Fifth Place Finals103: John McComas, Lisbon Beaver dec. Cory Stainbrook,Streetsboro 2-0112: Kyle Warner, Uhrichsville Claymont over Arizona Miller, LisbonBeaver disq.119: Alex Minnard, Lancaster Fairfield Union pin Dan Cook, Tol.Central Cath. 1:45125: Nick Hile, Lexington dec. Tyler Alsip, Norwood 10-6130: Jake Strausbaugh, Orrville maj. dec. Jake Mellinger, Beloit W.Branch 14-5135: Randy Henline, Akron Coventry dec. Levi Barnett, ThornvilleSheridan 7-3140: Conrad Rosch, Canal Winchester dec. Mitchell Beemer,Wapakoneta 6-3145: Mikkal Johnson, Maumee dec. Selo Ramjattan, Greenville 7-4152: Michael Graves, Maumee pin Rob Eddy, Harrison Central 1:59160: Darren Tate, SVSM dec. Andrew Nealan, New Richmond 6-5171: Brian Borac, Lake Cath. dec. Ian Howell, Harrison Central 9-7189: Jake Henderson, Tol. Central Cath. dec. Ashton Brown,Pemberville Eastwood 3-2215: Robbie Lias, Hubbard over Branko Busick, Steubenville default285: Ray Spence, Amanda-Clearcreek pin Vincenzo Cardone, Tol.Central Cath. 4:27

Seventh Place Finals103: Jordan Burkhart, Carrollton pin Jon Edwards, Greenville 4:25112: B.J. Miller, Defiance dec. Joey Ward, Goshen 2-0119: Sheldon Kegley, Graham dec. Michael Perez, Wauseon 10-4125: Dillon VanDyne, Cambridge over Jake Kazimir, Kenston default130: Carson Frey, Wauseon pin Evan Storts, Spring. Shawnee 4:53135: Jeremy Maiwurm, Orrville dec. Chaz Gresham, Goshen 4-3140: Michael Slaga, Rayland Buckeye Local dec. John Fraley,Streetsboro 8-6145: Terry Wagenhauser, Defiance maj. dec. Joe Schindel, AkronArch. Hoban 8-0152: Tucker Gregor, Buckeye dec. Eric Hildenbrand, Franklin 4-0160: Reno Bernardo, Col. St. Francis DeSales dec. Mike Mallernee,Oak Harbor 7-4171: Jason Brown, Napoleon dec. Nick McCall, Wauseon 10-6189: Paul Lauth, St. Marys Memorial dec. Jake Mallernee, CadizHarrison Central 5-2215: Patrick Sanford, Conneaut dec. Nick Thompson, Tallmadge 6-4285: John Eckroth, Cadiz Harrison Central dec. Danny Quallich,Medina Buckeye 3-1 ot

Division II Placers



Nick BrascettaGraham H.S., So.

45-0

Ty MitchAurora H.S., Jr.


Johnni DiJuliusWalsh Jesuit H.S., So.

32-1

Zach NeibertGraham H.S, Sr.


Felipe MartinezGraham H.S., Fr.

45-2

103 112 119 125 130

David TaylorGraham H.S., Sr.

48-0 (four-time champion)

Harrison HightowerUniversity School, Jr.


Brian StephensGraham H.S., Sr.

48-1

Jonathan McGookeyPerkins H.S., Sr.

52-3

Kyle RyanGraham H.S., So.

45-9

135 140 145 152 160

Zach GarbrandtClaymont H.S., Sr.

27-3

Max ThomusseitGraham H.S., Jr.

46-2

Tyler HouskaMedina Highland H.S., Sr.

46-0

Josh JacksonClaymont H.S., Sr.

33-6

GrahamSt. Paris, OH

Ninth Straight State Title

171 189 215 285 Team




NEW HEIGHTSBroadview Heights didn’t win the D-I team title,

but the Bees showed they are a program on therise.Coming into the state tournament, BH had two

state champions in program history. This year theyadded two more and had a runner-up.Senior Kyle Lang completed the cycle, adding a

state title to previous second, third and fourth placefinishes. Lang pinned Hilliard Davidson’s J.T. Ricein 3:04 to win the 160 title.At 285, nationally-ranked Jeremy Johnson won

the title with a 5-1 win over Parma Heights ValleyForge’s James Meder.Senior Mike Lanigan nearly added another title,

losing 5-3 in overtime in the 189 final.

LOOK OUTMonroeville missed out on the D-III team title by

a point, but it made one in the process. The Eaglesenter next season as the D-III favorite thanks to afoursome of state champions – again.A year after winning four individual state titles,

Monroeville did it again with the same horses. Andthey did it convincingly.Sophomore Hunter Stieber won his second title

by pinning Galion Northmor’s Tyler Heminger in1:42, while junior Logan Stieber, his brother, wonhis third title via tech fall (16-1) over PatrickHenry’s Alex Lopez.Sophomore Cam Tessari won his second title

with a major decision (13-0) over Bellaire’s ErikCanter and the hammer – sophomore ChrisPhillips – won his second title with a pin of AppleCreek Waynedale’s Jonathan Beam in 2:28.Remarkable.

KNOW HOWMiamisburg junior Shawn Fayette won his

school’s first state title with a 9-4 decision overWest Chester Lakota West’s Ty Davis in the D-I130 final.Fayette, who was second at 125 last year, has a

mentor that knows something about winning statetitles. Burg’s head coach Willie Wineberg was afour-time champion at Fairfield and has built theViking program into one of respectability.The Vikings have won four straight Greater

Western Ohio Conference titles and are suddenly aregular at the state tournament.

THREE IN THREEThere 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) andGreenwich South Central’s Nick Hamilton (285).Miller also wrapped an undefeated (51-0) sea-

son.

DOUBLE DOWNBloomdale Elmwood’s wrestling history con-

tained two state champions before Saturday. Nowit has three – and nearly had four.Sophomore Nick Goebel capped an undefeated

season (47-0) by winning the school’s first titlesince 1998 with a victory at 103. Senior Alex Bettstried to duplicate the feat but fell short at 145.

UNDEFEATEDThere were a total of nine wrestlers who finished

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, D-

III)Logan Stieber, Monroeville (35-0, 125, D-III)Zach Toal, Troy Christian (47-0, 160)Stuart Miller, Delphos Jefferson (51-0, 215, D-

III).

REMEMBER WHENThere were several wrestlers who made history

or snapped long exiles from the state podium fortheir school. The list includes:

- Bryce Baker, Mechanicsburg, D-III, 112:Became school’s second champion and first since1996.

- Travis Harbet, Garrettsville Garfield, D-III,119: Became school’s first two-time placer with afourth place finish.

- Chris Block, Johnstown-Monroe, D-III, 140:Fifth place finish is highest ever by a Johnnieswrestler.

- Beau Bowden, North Lima South Range, D-III, 171: Became school’s first placer ever by finish-ing third.

- Matt Dues, Harrod Allen East, D-III, 189:Fourth place finish earned school’s first visit to thepodium ever.

- Ethan Hayes, New Lebanon Dixie, D-III, 215:Second place finish is highest ever by aGreyhounds wrestler.

- Matt Hefner, Lima Bath, D-II, 135: Becameschool’s highest placer ever with third place finish.

- Corey Dulaney, Whitehall-Yearling, D-II, 145:Earned school’s first spot on the podium since1990 with fourth place finish.

- Shane Gifford, Circleville Logan Elm, D-II,152: Third place finish is highest ever by a Braveswrestler.

- Andrew Nealen, New Richmond, D-II, 160: Isschool’s first state placer since 1993. Finishedsixth.

- Danny Demick, Chillicothe, D-II, 285: Earnedschool’s first spot on the podium since 1996 withfourth place finish.

- Dennis Cox, Bowling Green, D-I, 285:Became school’s first placer since 1993 with eighthplace finish.

BLAME THE ECONOMYThe finals and overall attendance for the state

tournament were the lowest they have been sincethe event moved from Wright State’s Nutter Centerin 1999.A crowd of 14,787 witnessed the finals, while the

five-session total was 64,914. Last year crowds of14,498 and 65,835 took in the finals and tourna-ment, respectively. In 2007 the numbers were15,685 and 69,746.The largest five-session total ever is 75,582 in

2003.

MARK YOUR CALENDARSThe 73rd annual state wrestling championships

will be held March 4-6, 2010 at the SchottensteinCenter. — OH

First Place Finals103: Nick Goebel, Bloomdale Elmwood dec. Alex Dronzek,Beachwood 3-2112: Bryce Baker, Mechanicsburg dec. Spencer Pierce, N. Union 6-3119: Hunter Stieber, Monroeville pin Tyler Heminger, Northmor 1:42125: Logan Stieber, Monroeville tech. fall Alex Lopez, Hamler PatrickHenry 16-1130: Cam Tessari, Monroeville maj. dec. Erik Canter, Bellaire 13-0135: Tyler Powers, CVCAdec. Ben Kuzma, Hopewell-Loudon 7-1140: Zac Hancock, Troy Christian dec. Zach Noernberg, Cle.Cuyahoga Hts. 13-7145: Chris Burns, Troy Christian dec.Alex Betts, Bloomdale Elmwood 2-1152: Jake Howe, Blanchester maj. dec. Kyle Burns, Troy Christian 14-4160: Zach Toal, Troy Christian maj. dec. Alex Utley, CVCA. 15-5171: Chris Phillips, Monroeville pin Jonathan Beam,Apple CreekWaynedale 2:28189: Corby Running, Clarksville Clinton-Massie dec. Colton Bowers,Marion Pleasant 5-3ot215: Stuart Miller, Delphos Jefferson dec. Ethan Hayes, Dixie 7-1285: Nick Hamilton, S. Central dec. Josh Morosko, Tuslaw 7-4

Third Place Finals103: David Harrington, Sand. St. Mary C.C. dec. Jeremy Border,Caldwell 4-3112: Jonny Tolson, Delta dec. Seth Powers, Cuy. Val. Chr. Acad. 2-0119: Santino Pizzuto, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton dec. Travis Harbert,Garrettsville Ga 2-1125: Zak Vargo, CVCAdec. Eli Donahue, Massillon Tuslaw 6-4130: Joe Bruewer, Cin. Deer Park dec. Johnny Carpenter, Cin.Madeira 9-4135: David Malkus, Burton Berkshire dec. Dominic Prezzia, St.Clairsville 6-5140: Dann Miller, Brookfield dec. Cody Coomes, Marion Pleasant 3-2145: Robbie Chilson, Bellaire dec. Andrew DeHart, Covington 6-5152: Cody Walters, Bedford St. Peter Chanel maj. dec. Bryson Hall,Doylestown Chippew 10-0160: Kyle Kwiat, Tiffin Calvert dec. Ashton Packard, Belpre 4-2171: Beau Bowden, N. Lima South Range dec. Cody Rodgers,Mechanicsburg 9-7189: Kurt Schaefer, W. Salem Northwestern dec. Matt Dues, HarrodAllen East 9-4215: Greg Hojnacki, CVCAdec. Craig Ritz, Milan Edison 7-6285: Hugh Thornton, Oberlin dec. Mike Treon, Versailles 7-1

Fifth Place Finals103: Thomas McLaughlin, Nelsonville-York dec. Vinnie Pizzuto, N.Jackson Jackson-Milt 3-2ott112: Zach Porter, Bellaire dec. Tim Triskett, Cle. VA-St. Joseph 3-1119: Mike Kovach, St. Peter Chanel dec. Dom Barlow, Heath 9-7125: Riki Reynolds, Marion Pleasant dec. Kyle Burns, Milan Edison 6-3130: Jimmy Dankle, Cle. Cuyahoga Hts. over Brandon Sommers,CVCAdefault135: Jeff Vitallo, Apple Creek Waynedale dec. Brendon Klaus,Mechanicsburg 12-9ott140: Chris Block, Johnstown-Monroe dec. Joshua Goebel, Edgerton 4-3145: Quinton Cooperider, Marion Pleasant over Aaron Hunter, AkronManchester default152: Tyler Rayl, Bluffton dec. Johnny Merryman, Shadyside 7-4160: Shayne Stewart, Mogadore dec. Peter Lewis, W. Liberty-Salem 7-5171: Royal Brettrager, Kirtland pin J.J. Hrabak, St. Wendelin 2:56189: Colton Zody, Wooster Triway dec. Justin Cheesman, AshlandCrestview 7-4215: Kyle Kelly, Akron Manchester dec. Dan Clawson, N. JacksonJackson-Milton 4-1285: Chris Doughty, Norwalk St. Paul over Tyler Obringer, Spencervilledefault

Seventh Place Finals103: Michael Ratay, CVCAdec. Anthony Elchert, Arcadia 8-7112: TimWiseman, N. Jackson Jackson-Milton dec. Brandon Booker,Cin. Purcell Marian 4-0119: Jordan Hancock, Troy Christian dec. Carl Moody, Nelsonville-York 8-5125: JohnnyMatacic, Jackson-Milton dec.Alex Panno, Blanchester 12-6130: Tony Cardiero, Girard dec. Marco Gualtieri, W. Jefferson 11-4135: Kyle Begg, Bluffton dec. Keith Tanner, Johnstown-Monroe 7-1140: Chad Sonnenberg, Van Buren dec. Donny Montoney, PeninsulaWoodridge 5-3145: Kyle Freiberg,Middlefield Cardinal dec. Dustin Chatterton, Dixie 10-4152: Nico Francis, Girard maj. dec. Sean Prather, W. Jefferson 11-2160: Matt Ramage, Wellington dec. Jake Elling, Liberty Center 10-5171: Kyle Keplinger, Troy Christian dec. Geoff Hainline, Norwalk St.Paul 11-6189: Zack McKnight, Carlisle dec. Robert Blake, Defiance Tinora 5-4215: Schuyler Bondy, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. pin Josh Salyers,Mechanicsburg 4:24285: Greg Dailey, Independence pin Mimmo Lytle, Swanton 4:52

Division III Placers



Nick GoebelElmwood H.S., So.

47-0

Bryce BakerMechanicsburg H.S., Sr.

36-9

Hunter StieberMonroeville H.S., So.


Logan StieberMonroeville H.S, Jr.

35-0, (three-time champion)

Cam TessariMonroeville H.S., So.


103 112 119 125 130

Tyler PowersCVCA H.S., Sr.

37-2

Zac HancockTroy Christian H.S., Sr.


Chris BurnsTroy Christian H.S., Sr.

27-2

Jake HoweBlanchester H.S., Jr.

50-2

Zach ToalTroy Christian H.S., Sr.

47-0 (three-time champion)

135 140 145 152 160

Chris PhillipsMonroeville H.S., So.


Corby RunningClinton-Massie H.S., Jr.

43-2

Stuart MillerDelphos Jefferson H.S., Sr.

51-0

Nick HamiltonSouth Central H.S.,Sr.

45-2

Troy ChristianTroy, Oh

Third Straight State Title

171 189 215 285 Team



State Wrest l ing Al l -Tournament Team STORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

Nick BrascettaGraham H.S., So.45-0, D-II Champion

Jerome RobinsonSt. Ignatius H.S., Jr.39-3, D-I Champion

Jamie ClarkSt. Edward H.S., Jr.35-0, D-I Champion

Logan StieberMonroeville H.S, Jr.35-0, D-III Champion

Felipe MartinezGraham H.S., Fr.45-2, D-II Champion

103 112 119 125 130

David TaylorGraham H.S., Sr.

48-0, D-II Champion

Collin PalmerSt. Edward H.S., Sr.39-2, D-I Champion

David HabatSt. Ignatius H.S., Jr.40-3, D-I Champion

Jonathan McGookeyPerkins H.S., Sr.

52-3, D-II Champion

Zach ToalTroy Christian H.S., Sr.47-0, D-III Champion

135 140 145 152 160

Chris PhillipsMonroeville H.S., So.49-1, D-III Champion

Andrew TumlinHarrison H.S., Sr.42-1, D-I Champion

Orlando ScalesElder H.S., Sr.

39-0, D-I Champion

Jeremy JohnsonBroadview Heights H.S., Sr.

36-2, D-I Champion

Jeff JordanGraham H.S.

Best Team Ever? Yes.

171 189 215 285 Coach



Ohio Wrest ler of the YearSTORY BY ER IC FRANTZ



Ohio Wrest ler of the Year

One of Ohio’s top wrestlers ever regardlessof weight, Taylor, a senior at St. Paris GrahamHigh School, is arguably the state’s top lightweightwrestler in history. Any list of Ohio’s Top 10wrestlers 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 crownThere’s literally nothing Taylor hasn’t accom-

plished during his high school career. He’s evenlost.Ending his prep run with a 180-2 career record

on March 7 at the Ohio High School StateWrestling Championships in Columbus, Taylorwrapped an impressive four-year stretch thatincludes an undefeated record the past two sea-sons. Ranked No. 1 in the country this season at135 pounds, Taylor also has four state team titlesto his credit and a national championship (2008).This season Graham set the state team scoringrecord and had a record seven individual statechampions. The Falcons were ranked No. 2 in thenation.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 DavidTaylor is right at the top of that list as one of thebest ever to come out of here,” Graham headcoach Jeff Jordan – a four-time state championhimself – said. “David has stepped up one morelevel 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 fromUtah and 10 from Colorado. Its population is11,507. It’s also the place where David Taylor’sstory 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 thelocal newspaper for a youth wrestling program and

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 sea-son’s final tournament where something clickedand he won a match. The next year the snowballbegan.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 bet-ter.”Taylor’s dad also played an integral part.A former high school wrestler, Taylor’s father

Dave moved the family around when David wasyounger, finishing out his military duty with stints inFlorida and Georgia. David was born in Nevada(Reno).After settling in Evanston and getting a job

(pilot) with Delta Airlines at the Salt Lake CityAirport, Dave Taylor started to nurture his son’swrestling addiction.On trips the elder Taylor would watch wrestling

videos and attend meets, taking notes of tech-nique. When he returned home the duo wouldrefine the form in the basement.David got so good, the family had to start leav-

ing 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, underthe guidance of Wasatch varsity coach Steve

Sanderson, Taylor would regularly drill against anup and coming wrestler one-year his elder namedJason Chamberlin. Chamberlin (Springville,Utah/Boise State) as it turns out became the coun-try’s No. 1 ranked wrestler in the Class of 2008.Taylor – many think – holds the same distinctionfor 2009.And Coach Sanderson? He’s the father of Iowa

State wrestling legend and Olympic Gold MedalistCael Sanderson. Sanderson went 159-0 at IowaState and is the only collegiate wrestler ever to fin-ish his career undefeated. He’s also got threebrothers that won Utah High School state titles atWasatch.“That’s where I got to know Cyler and Cael and

Cody and Cole,” Taylor said. “When they wouldcome home during the summers I would wrestlewith them. That was before Cael was Cael. I thinkhe 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 brokethrough to win the Reno Worlds as an eight-yearold. He was named the tournament’s most out-standing wrestler.“That was when I turned the corner,” Taylor said.

“That was the watershed moment if I had to lookback on one thing.”The next year Taylor came to Ohio and attended

camp with his friends from Cleveland – thePalmers, Lance and Collin.“We were really good friends,” Taylor said. “I

would stay with them and then go to camps withLance and Collin. That’s how I got to my firstJordan Camp.”Lance and Collin were both four-time Ohio High

School state champions at Lakewood St. EdwardHigh School.Jeff Jordan’s summer camps are also legendary.

And once Taylor attended that first one he washooked. Fate got pinned too.A few months later Dave Taylor got orders for a

transfer. The choices were Boston, Atlanta orCincinnati. Wrestling-wise the choice was a no-brainer.As for the school district, that was another mat-

ter.“When we knew we were moving to Ohio we

started looking around at some programs,” Taylorsaid. “At the time there was a big article about

“There are kids that want to wrestle,there are kids that have to wrestle and

there are kids that love to wrestle. Ilove to wrestle. I love the sport. I think

about it all the time and I have apassion for it. I’m always looking to

get better every day.”

Graham High School seniorDavid Taylor

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 nextyear and I couldn’t believe wrestling season was already over. He seemed surprised that I wantedto 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.

I



Moeller and how they had just got a big, brandnew wrestling room. My dad actually emailed theircoach and he never returned the email. So welooked elsewhere. If he had returned that email, it’spossible 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 hiscamps,” Taylor said. “I told him that if we couldmove 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 foryour room,” Jordan said. “David had been to ourcamp for 5-6 years before he enrolled. It waseither here or Atlanta or Boston. And Georgiadoesn’t have the best high school wrestling andneither does Massachusetts, so it was just kind oflucky 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 thatyear.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,” Taylorsaid. “I’m not sure why it took me so long – I’m nota shy kid – but the friends I finally made then arestill my best friends today. Josh Schuler, he playsbasketball, he’s my best friend. Austin Jones (bas-ketball) and Seth Rogers (baseball) are also two ofmy really good friends.”Just for good measure, Schuler is arguably the

best basketball player in Graham history, havingled the Falcons to back-to-back district titles andundefeated regular seasons and a state Final Fourappearance last season. He’s the program’s all-time leading scorer and was named the SouthwestDistrict 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.

DIFFERENT BREEDGraham 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 aprogram, Graham has won nine straight D-II statetitles and 11 overall. Individually, Graham wrestlershave won 50 state championships.Without Taylor the Falcons resume is absurd.

With him it’s mythical.While he became the 17th wrestler in Ohio his-

tory to win four state titles in March, Taylor becamethe first Ohio wrester ever to do something else inJanuary.On the bus ride home from the Alliance Top Gun

Invite, Taylor sought out Jordan and made anastonishing proposition.“We’re freezing on the bus coming home from

Alliance and David just comes up and sits in myseat and says ‘Coach I need to talk to you,’”Jordan said. “He said he wanted to move up to140 to wrestle (Collin) Palmer. I went ‘Wow.’ Thatwas the last thing I was thinking.”Palmer, like Taylor, was ranked No. 1 in the

country at his weight class and was a three-timedefending state champion.Never before had two three-time defending statePhoto by Nick Falzerano

Taylor received a standingovation after winning hisfourth state title.



champions squared off in Ohio history. Let alonetwo nationally No. 1 ranked wrestlers.“We decided (that) Sunday at noon because I

wanted to make sure that everyone knew and Iwanted to be fair to Collin and didn’t want to sur-prise him,” Jordan said. “We made the decisionand called some people in Cleveland to make surethey got the word out.”The following weekend a standing room only

crowd watched as Taylor defeated Palmer 8-5. Hetrailed 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

all positions and he’s good on the mat, but I thinkhis best attribute is he never violates position. Henever comes out of his stance and he alwayssticks to the game plan. He always does whatneeds to be done when it needs to be done. Hehas unbelievable discipline as a wrestler. He’snever flustered.“Palmer took him down in the first eight sec-

onds. The second period he got reversed and hewas down 4-1, but it never shook him. He stuck tothe plan and showed no emotion until after thematch. Then I think he was pretty happy.”So were his teammates.Taylor’s challenge didn’t go unnoticed or under-

appreciated.“When Palmer took him down in the first eight

seconds I thought uh-oh this might go bad, butDavid never quit,” senior James Mannier (171)said. “That was a great day for Graham wrestlingand for David.”“I didn’t see how he could lose,” senior Brian

Stephens (145) added. “I don’t want to soundcocky, but when David sets his mind to do some-thing he does it. I don’t think there’s anything hecan’t do.”The loss was Palmer’s first to an Ohio wrestler.

He – like Taylor – won his fourth state title onMarch 7.

Talk about a titanic tilt.“A lot of guys nowadays shy away from the big-

name wrestlers,” Jordan said. “They always tend tobe a weight class above or below. I think there isgoing to be more matches now where guys say‘What the heck, if I get beat I get beat.’ I meanDavid Taylor came to me and said ‘Coach there’s a50-50 chance I lose this match but it’s somethingthat 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

high-profile as we are you try to stay away fromeach other, but I wanted to do it so now maybemore 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 statefinal his freshman year – Taylor won by major deci-sion 10-2.Only five times since his sophomore year did

Taylor go six minutes with any opponent, and onewas Palmer. He won at least 42 matches everyyear of high school.“Wrestling at Graham is not so much a sport but

rather a way of life,” Jordan said. “Kids eat, sleepand breath wrestling here and David’s taken that astep farther. Wrestling is his life. It’s been that wayfor a long time.”“There are kids that want to wrestle, there are

kids that have to wrestle and there are kids thatlove to wrestle,” Taylor said. “I love to wrestle. Ilove the sport. I think about it all the time and Ihave a passion for it. I’m always looking to get bet-ter every day.”

CYCLONEFittingly, Taylor is headed to Iowa State to wres-

tle for head coach Cael Sanderson. In the process

he’s fulfilling a self-prophecy.“(During those days at Wasatch High) I remem-

ber telling my dad how cool it would be if Cael wasthe head coach at Iowa State one day and I got towrestle for him,” Taylor said. “Now I do.”Taylor also considered Oklahoma State and

Ohio State. Ultimately though he choose theCyclones.“In the end, Iowa State just had the environment

I wanted,” Taylor said. “Cael’s a great guy and Ihave a pretty good relationship with him. We talkabout once a week. They had everything I want-ed.”

At the state wrestling championships, Taylorreceived a much-deserved standing ovation afterhis finals match and again at the medal presenta-tion.He plans to experience applause like that a cou-

ple more times. Including once on the world’sbiggest stage.“When I was younger I had a goal – and its was

kind of crazy,” Taylor said. “ But I wanted to be afour-time high school champion, a four-time NCAAchampion and an Olympic Champion. Being afour-time NCAA champ is a hefty goal, and if I canbe lucky enough to win one title that would begreat. But when I go out there I plan on being com-petitive. Ultimately I want to make the Olympicteam in 2016.“I want to be an Olympic champion.”Said Jordan: “David Taylor is going to go to col-

lege and be very successful. He’s going to be con-tending for national titles every year and hey, theOlympics is the long-term goal and David Taylor isgoing to shoot for that.“David reaches his goals. He’s one of the few

guys that once he sets his mind to something heputs his whole life into it. I know his next goal is towin four national titles and make the Olympicteam. He’s got just as good a chance to do that asanyone else.” — OH

Taylor is headed to Iowa State Universityafter also considering Oklahoma Stateand Ohio State.

Taylor hugs his father Dave after winninghis fourth Division II state title. Taylor’smother Kathy is in the background.

Taylor beat St. Edward’s Collin Palmer inOhio’s first match-up ever between three-time defending state champions.

Photo by Nick Falzerano Photo by Greg Beers Photo by Nick Falzerano

State Wrestling 2009 Suuplement

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