Delta fifth in D-III; BG's Hendon just misses upset
2/29/2008
State Wrestling Tournament (Day 1)
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Bowling Green s Rudy Hendon has defending state champ Tony James in trouble, but the Austintown Fitch wrestler won. (THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON) <br> <img src=http://www.toledoblade.com/graphics/icons/photo.gif> <b><font color=red>VIEW</b></font color=red>: <a href=" /apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=TO&Dato=20080229&Kategori=SPORTS06&Lopenr=418691626&Ref=PH" target="_blank "><b>State Wrestling Tournament</b></a> (Day 1)
COLUMBUS Delta had four of six wrestlers win their Division III championship preliminary matches to move into fifth place in the team standings last night at the state tournament.
The Panthers got victories from Jonny Tolson (112), Sam Carrisalez (125), Tyler Gombash (140) and Derrick Yank (160) at the Schottenstein Center.
In Division I, seven of 10 local wrestlers won their championship matches.
Springfield s Garrett Manley (103), Maks Babuder (160) of St. Francis de Sales and Southview s Greg Isley (189) advanced.
Waite and Findlay each had two claim wins. The Indians Scott Fuller (119) and Alex Herrick (140), and the Trojans Matt Alexander (189) and Max Gladstone (285) will wrestle in this morning s championship quarterfinals.
Tolson, a junior, got things started the D-III afternoon session. He was taken down early and fell behind 2-0, but recovered for a 5-2 decision over Pawlos Campbell of Troy Christian.
I wasn t nervous, I just got caught off guard, Tolson said. This is great because it gives me a better draw to keep going. Having so many teammates here helps.
Yant, a senior who was making his third straight appearance here, pinned Mogadore s Shayne Stewart with 10 seconds left in the second period.
It saves my body for tomorrow, Yant said. It wasn t nerve-racking like before. This is good for team points too. We re looking at a top-five finish.
Carrisalez posted a major decision (18-6) over James Coulter of Cardington-Lincoln. Gombash, a state qualifier last year, won by default over Zach Zolman of Galion Northmor.
At 189, Liberty Center senior Chad McClory notched a dramatic win over Ethan Oliver of Versailles. With the score deadlocked 0-0, McClory hit a reversal with 10 seconds left in the match to win 2-0.
I heard my coaches say, 30 seconds , McClory said. It was sheer desire. I m pretty excited about the weekend. I want to come through for the town.
Otsego senior Jacob Southwick, who finished fourth last year, improved to 40-1 with a fall over of Jason Artrip of Loudonville in a 285-pound opener. After a scoreless period, Southwick pinned Artrip in 2:38.
I get really nervous before every match, but once I step out there it goes away, Southwick said. I know I ll have two tough matches tomorrow.
Southwick s teammate, Andrew Johnson, also won in convincing fashion. The senior moved to 35-4 with a 10-4 decision over Brett Coblentz of Apple Creek Waynedale.
Other area wrestlers who went 1-1 last night to remain alive were: Alex Betts of Elmwood (145), Archbold s Tyler Short (152), Genoa s Doug Wagner (152) and Nate Bayly (189) of Toledo Christian.
In D-I, Bowling Green senior Rudy Hendon nearly registered one of the biggest upsets ever at the state tournament, but ultimately was beaten.
Hendon put three-time defending champion Tony Jameson of Austintown Fitch on his back three times in the second period. Jameson (41-2), who will wrestle at Ohio State, narrowly escaped the colossal defeat that had the arena buzzing in the 145-pound opener.
He was on his back the whole period, Hendon said. I thought I had him pinned, but time ran out.
Jameson, a favorite to win his fourth state title, rallied for a 23-20 decision. Hendon then lost his consolation bout.
Springfield s Manley (38-5) pinned Andrew Higgins of Grove City Central Crossing.
That got me hyped up, Manley said. This was really good for me. It means I m one step closer to placing.
Southview s Isley (30-5) decisioned Dominic Jontony of Strongsville 5-1.
I had fluttery legs. They were noodley, Isley said. I didn t feel comfortable until I got the last takedown. It s a big relief. I have to win two to place, but I came here to win.
Fuller, who finished fourth last year, got by Jake McCombs of Marysville 8-4. His senior teammate Herrick also won by decision, 6-3, over Trevor Nickolai of Piqua.
The Knights Babuder (27-11) defeated Ethan Taylor of Cuyahoga Falls 8-1.
Findlay s Alexander beat Kevin Baker of Greensburg Green 11-5, and teammate Gladstone knocked off Twinsburg s Brandon Bucknell 6-1.
At 160, Clay s Justin Wharton went 1-1 to advance.
Contact Mark Monroe at: monroe@theblade.com or 419-724-6354.