PPT Slide
In one sense, the Division I Ohio Dual Meet Championships at Wadsworth borrowed the script Bill Murray had in the movie "Groundhog Day." That is, the same thing seems to happen every first or second Sunday in January. For the eighth straight year, St. Edward claimed the state wrestling title by beating Mount Vernon, 60-13, Cincinnati Moeller, 48-21, and Massillon Perry, 29-28. The Eagles won without several key starters, including state qualifier Kevin Sulzer (125), Neil Birt (103) and heavyweight Ben Kuhar, but got a big boost from junior Derek Tomasone (152), who got the key victory against Massillon Perry. "We don't take victories for granted," St. Edward coach Greg Urbas said. "We were hurting, but you wrestle with what you have, and we had enough talent to beat great competition."
Wadsworth finished fourth after losing a 42-24 shocker to Massillon Perry in the semifinals. The Panthers snapped the Grizzlies' 18-match winning streak by pinning five Wadsworth wrestlers. The Grizzlies defeated Shaker Heights, 57-18, then lost to Moeller, 36-22, for third. Shaker Heights had five starters out, including state place-winner Nick Simon (215), ill with the flu, and Wesley Walker (112), who has a broken leg. The Raiders lost all three dual matches and finished eighth. St. Edward junior Mike Janik (140) had the most interesting match in the victory over Mount Vernon. He beat Yellow Jackets junior Vanessa Oswalt - the first girl to compete in the Ohio Duals big school division - 12-3.
Oswalt has good strength and balance, but Janik beat her with better technique. "It was a little awkward for me to wrestle her," Janik said. "You want to wrestle her the way you wrestle any opponent, but in the back of your mind you know she's a girl and you don't want her to get hurt."
The Eagles trailed Moeller, 12-6, after the first four weights, but led, 35-12, with pins from state champ Lance Palmer (130), Kyle Bertin (140), Mike McLaughlin (145) and Tomasone, and a technical fall from state runner-up Sean Nemec (135). Tomasone, fourth in the state two years ago at Chanel, made his St. Edward debut memorable by pinning Moeller sophomore Mike Mahon with a reverse half nelson in 2:04. Bertin's pin also sparked the Eagles. He was tied with Moeller sophomore Matt Hammer when he caught him in a pancake and pinned him in 3:01. St. Edward needed major decisions from Palmer, state champ Shawn Harris (112), Dan Gonsor (119) and Nick Marcellino (215), plus a technical fall from Nemec to beat Massillon Perry. Tomasone won a tossup bout with Cory Nelson, 5-3, with a third-period reversal. "I've had some back problems, and these were my first varsity matches at St. Ed," Tomasone said. "I'm glad I was able to help the team."
The turning point in Wadsworth's loss to Perry came at 140 pounds, where Panthers' sophomore Thomas Straughn beat Jeff Gasser, 22-10, in a battle of state place-winners. Tim Miller, Wadsworth's three-time state place-winner, was the tournament MVP with three pins.
Injuries aside, Eagles win 8th straight Ohio Duals
