Previewing the 2008-09 High School Season: Themes of Interest
Josh Lowe
December 3, 2008
Welcome to the month of December. After a nine-month hiatus, the high school wrestling season is upon us. The following paragraphs summarize many of the key themes of this season here in the Buckeye State. Can Graham repeat as national champions? Will there be true team title races in Division I and III? Who repeats as state champion? What milestones are accomplished this year?
GRAHAM SUPREMACY: Graham seeks to maintain the catbird seat of Ohio high school wrestling that it took away from St Edward during the 2007-08 season, while also winning the national title. While the Falcons are not favored to repeat as national champions – Blair Academy NJ is projected to reclaim the crown that they have not held the last two seasons, after having taken the six prior to that – Graham is projected to win a ninth straight Division II state title (eleventh in all). Graham also is gunning for the overall state tournament points record, set by St Edward in 2007 (229 points); and the state champions record of six, set by Cleveland West in 1951. The Falcons will be led by defending state champions Zach Neibert (125) and David Taylor (135); third place finishers Nick Brascetta (103), James Mannier (171), and Max Thomusseit (189); former state third place finisher Brian Stephens (145); and freshmen sensations Isaac Jordan (112) and Felipe Martinez (130).
QUARTER CENTURY FOR ST EDWARD?: During the 2008-09 season, St Edward will be seeking their 25th state title in program history, which would also be a 13th consecutive top finish for the Eagles. However, that is not going to come easy with two teams potentially nipping at their heels. The more likely of the two is Massillon Perry, which has been runner-up four of the last five seasons. Though more of a threat in a dual meet setting, Wadsworth is also a program to watch out for – especially next season. The Grizzlies have not finished in the top two at state since the state title team of 1942. Another St Edward milestone to watch for this season is that with three state champions, the Eagles would obtain their 90th individual state title; by far and away the most for any wrestling program in the Buckeye State. In fact, the Eagles have three defending state champions – Gus Sako (112), Jamie Clark (119), and Collin Palmer (140).
EAGLE EYES IN SMALL SCHOOL: In Division III, the top two contenders for the title both utilize the Eagle as their mascot. Two-time defending state champions Troy Christian seek a third consecutive state championship, and are led by defending state champions Zac Hancock (135/140) and Zach Toal (160). Also of note for Troy Christian is state runner-up Jordan Thome (135/140); and returning state placers in Jordan Hancock (112), Pawlos Campbell (119), and Chris Burns (145).
FEARSOME FOURSOME: The team most likely to knock off Troy Christian in Division III would be Monroeville, and these Eagles are led by a quartet of absolutely sensational wrestlers. Before the 2006-07 season, no Monroeville wrestler had ever won a state championship. However, after the 2010-11 campaign, the school is likely to have 16 gold medals. Logan Steiber (125) is already halfway home to becoming a four-time state champion; while Hunter Steiber (112/119), Cam Tessari (130), and Chris Phillips (171) each seek second state titles in as many high school campaigns this year.
TWO FOR A GLORIOUS FOUR: Currently 16 Ohio wrestlers have won four state titles during their high school career. In the 2008-09 season, that number could potentially increase by two more, up to 18 since Mark Zimmer (Columbus DeSales) came the first to accomplish this feat 30 years ago (1976-79). Collin Palmer and David Taylor are the two wrestlers seeking to join this pantheon of Ohio high school wrestling history. Also on track to win four state titles would be junior Logan Steiber; as well as the trio of Monroeville sophomores – Hunter Steiber, Tessari, and Phillips.
REPEAT OFFENDERS: In addition to the six individuals listed as eligible to win four state titles, the following is a list of wrestlers competing this season that have already won a state title in their high school careers. Seeking a third consecutive state title is Zach Toal (160), Troy Christian. Seeking repeat state titles are Zac Hancock (135/140), Troy Christian; Ty Mitch (112), Aurora; Harrison Hightower (145), University School; Gus Sako (112), St Edward; Jamie Clark (119), St Edward; and Seth Horner (145/152), Massillon Perry. Winning state titles in 2007, but finishing second in 2008, and seeking to rise back to the top of the podium are: Sam White (125), Massillon Perry; Cody Garbrandt (125/130), Claymont; and Brad Squire (145), Wadsworth. Tucker Armstrong of Graham also returns as a state champion, though his place in the lineup is not known at this time. The total of 14 possible defending state champions, and 17 returning state champions in all is less than the 2007-09 numbers of 19 and 23 respectively.
ONE MORE STEP: The following is a list of wrestlers that finished second in the state in 2007-08 but seek to win a first state championship in March 2009. Spencer Pierce (112), North Union; Tyler Heminger (119), Galion Northmor; Jordan Thome (135/140), Troy Christian; Stuart Miller (215), Delphos Jefferson; Johnni DiJulius (112/119), Walsh Jesuit; Codey Neff (119), Miami Trace; Cody Leek (130), Warren Howland; Tyler Houska (285), Medina Highland; Adam Walls (285), Beavercrek; Kory Mines (103/112), Maple Hts; Nick Lawrence (130), Westlake; Shawn Fayette (130), Miamisburg; Kyle Lang (160), Brecksville; TJ Rigel (152), Tecumseh; Nick Heflin (171), Massillon Perry; JT Rice (152/160), Hilliard Davidson; Greg Isley (189), Sylvania Southview; and Delonne Baker (285), Sandusky. Justin Hall (119), Tulsaw; Josh Demas (152/160), Westerville North; Robert Chilson (145), Bellaire; James Inghram (119), University School; Brad Wukie (152), University School; and Nick Sulzer (152), St Edward were state runners-up in 2007 but also are seeking their maiden state title. White, Garbrandt, and Squire were runners-up in 2008, but all won titles in 2007.
FOUR PODIUMS: The following wrestlers would become four-time state placers with a podium finish. Collin Palmer (1-1-1); Zach Toal (3-1-1); Zac Hancock (6-2-1); Jordan Thome (6-4-2); David Taylor (1-1-1); Nate Westfall (112/119), Perry, 6-4-6; Jacob Garringer (125), Miami Trace, 6-5-5; Adam Walls (6-4-2); Seth Horner (3-3-1); Kyle Lang (4-3-2); and Andrew Tumlin (189), Harrison, 7-5-3.
ATTEMPTING SOMETHING NEW: Many schools across the state have wrestlers seeking to achieve firsts for their respective programs. Miamisburg, Shawn Fayette (130); Madison, Andrew Gasber (152); West Carrollton, Jordan Beverly (285); Perry, Nate Westfall (119); and Delphos Jefferson, Stuart Miller (215) have never had a statechampion. Garrettsville Garfield, Travis Harber (119/125); Tiffin Calvert, Kyle Kwiat (160/171); and Springboro, Cody Shivener (125) have never had a state finalist. Columbus St Charles, Kyle Sanders (189), has never had a wrestler place in the top three at state.
NEVER A TROPHY: Two programs of note are seeking to win their first team trophy at the state tournament. As previously covered, Monroeville never had a state champion until 2007. Two years later, they are seeking a first team trophy (top two finish at state) after finishing third one year ago. In Division II, University School is one of the lead contenders for second place behind Graham. The Preppers have never claimed a trophy, but could do so this year. They are led by defending state champion Harrison Hightower, former runner-up Brad Wukie, and third place finisher Nick Mills (189).
TITLE MILESTONES: If Graham is able to break the Cleveland West mark of six titles, it would get the Falcons up to 50 individual state titles in program history (they currently have 43). St Edward gets to 90 state champions with three crowned this year. Three more state titles sees Troy Christian to ten state titles, all of them in a three year span. An individual state title for Walsh Jesuit sees the Warriors earn number 40. For Medina Highland, the next state title would be number 15 in program history; Manchester, Tuslaw, Claymont, and University School would obtain their fifth state champion.
SEASON UNDEFEATEDS: Keep an eye on this number at state tournament time. The last two seasons have seen only 16 wrestlers reach Columbus for the state tournament undefeated. In 2008, it covered 12 weight classes; 2007 saw 15 weight classes with at least one undefeated wrestler. Ten were undefeated champions in 2008, six in 2007.