PPT Slide
Panthers did the same with less
COLUMBUS — Once again, Perry High School’s Panthers didn’t get the finish they wanted.
Yet they gladly accepted Division I team runner-up status — again — at the 68th State Wrestling Championships on Saturday. For the third straight year, Perry finished behind only Lakewood St. Edward in the team standings. The difference this year was that the Panthers did it with fewer wrestlers, fewer points and greater competition than in 2003 or ’04. Perry scored 77.5 points this year, well off its 2003 and ’04 totals of 107 and 112, respectively. The Panthers still had enough to keep third-place Wadsworth (73.5) and fourth-place Moeller (71.5) from overtaking them for top public-school honors. “We only had five people,” Perry head coach Brian Dolph said. “I’m proud. These guys definitely should be proud.” In addition to state champion Dustin Schlatter (145 pounds) earning his fourth state title, Zach Mizer (130), Chris Hartley (119) and Thomas Straughn (140) grabbed second, third and fourth, respectively.
Not surprisingly, Schlatter was named the Division I Most Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts over the weekend and in his high school career. The University of Minnesota recruit received a standing ovation from the more than 15,000 fans when he was given his gold medal on the award stand by his brother, C.P. Schlatter. The older Schlatter also is a four-time winner. The Schlatters are just the second brother combination to each win four state wrestling titles.
To most everyone’s surprise, Mizer came in runner-up as a junior in his first state appearance. Hartley, also a junior, placed for the third time and Straughn, a sophomore, did for the second year. “Mizer had a great tournament; Hartley had a great tournament. One mistake cost them (state championships),” Dolph said. “We worked hard this year. We worked hard, we accomplished a lot this year.” The good news for Dolph is that all but Schlatter return next year.
