By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

SOUTHEAST

The difference between finishing in fifth place and sixth place might not seem that big, but it was to Southeast junior Dominic Kemble in the 126-pound weight class of the Division III state tournament last weekend. Kemble was down 7-0 to Mechanicsburg’s Nolan Fraley entering the second period in the fifth/sixth-place match.

Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

“That kid took Dom down and put him in a cradle that was very tight and had him on his back for a portion of time in the first period,” head coach Shane Kuberry said. “All through the season, everything Dom has faced he just responded. Being down 7-0 and not wanting to finish in sixth place … you want to walk out of there with a win. You don’t want your last match of the season be a loss, and he just fought back so hard and wrestled so well in the second and third periods. He was down by two points with about 15 seconds left in the match, and he hits a Standing Peterson for five points and ends up walking out of there with fifth (winning 11-8). It was an awesome way to end this tournament. It was very, very exciting.”

After losing his only two matches at last season’s state tournament at 120, Kemble had different goals this season.

“Dominic is the type of kid who has his eyes set on the biggest prize,” said Kuberry. “He wants to be on the top of that podium, and this season was just a really big step in that process. I would anticipate the same thing next season. His desire and his ability to keep on working through things and getting better every day and believing in himself are things you look for in a championship wrestler. He has all the pieces and parts. It would not surprise me in the least if he gets on top of that podium next year.”

AURORA

Aurora senior Johnny Green pulled off a rare feat last weekend by placing in his fourth consecutive state tournament. Green finished seventh, making the podium, in the 120-pound weight division in Division I.

Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

“Being a four-time state-placer in the state of Ohio is an incredible accomplishment,” head coach Jeremy Johnson said. “I think we walked out of there with our head held high, but I know Johnny had higher aspirations and accomplishments that he wanted to attain. I think it was sort of bittersweet for him in that regard, but the coaching staff is truly proud of his effort and leadership these past four years. He will truly be missed.”

Placing eighth and making the podium were senior Cole Walton at 165 and junior Drake Brasiel at 157. Both Walton and Brasiel were making their second straight appearance at the state tournament. Walton was also eighth a year ago at 157.

“I know Cole had higher expectations for himself this season, but he walks out of the Schottenstein Center a two-time state placer,” said Johnson. “I know he has goals and aspirations for pursuing wrestling at the next level, and I think any college would be lucky to have him for his work ethic, his character, his accountability and his true leadership qualities. We’re proud of Cole. We hoped for a higher placement just as he did, but he has nothing to hang is head about. We’re truly going to miss him next season.

“I know this season Drake had goals of going down to the state tournament, getting on the podium, seeing how high he could climb. We’re really proud of him and his overall season. We’re looking for him to be a leader for us next season and to really climb that podium from eighth place.”

ROOTSTOWN

It was rough going for the six Rootstown wrestlers who competed at the Division III state tournament last weekend. There were only three wins combined, and none made the podium. The most disappointing may have been senior Brian Youngblood. After defeating Lakota’s Grant Bomer in the first round in the 175-pound weight class, Youngblood wilted.

Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

“I think nerves and the big stage just kind got to Brian. It was his first time getting down there. It was tough,” head coach Anthony Anderson said. “He wrestled a great first match, but it definitely wasn’t the way he would normally wrestle in the next couple of matches. When down at states, you’ve got to get the job done, and he just wasn’t able to get there.” Also winning one match apiece were juniors Alex Ely at 126 and Mason King at 113. Ely went up against, and lost to, two-time state champion Adam Mattin from Delta in the first round.

“Alex wrestled him really, really well. He had a good showing there but came up a little bit short in the consolations,” said Anderson. “I thought Mason wrestled really well. His losses were against tough kids. The matches could’ve gone either way. It was a good experience for him, though. He’ll make the trip to Columbus next season.”

Getting shut out in the Schottenstein Center were seniors Nick Malek (144) and Dominic Duvall (157) and freshman Rylan Campbell (heavyweight). It was Malek’s third trip to the state tourney.

“It was definitely disappointing in the performance Nick had,” said the coach. “Dominic didn’t perform to his best. His second match could’ve gone either way. Rylan is going to be really, really good in the years coming up. He was kind of our dark horse. We didn’t even expect him to get to state. It was a really good experience for him. That’s a hard weight for a freshman to go into. He was wrestling bigger upperclassmen. I look for big things from him if he sticks with it.”

GARFIELD

Last weekend was the first time at the state tournament for both Garfield sophomore Landon Andel and junior Cam Lewicki. Andel competed in the 138-pound weight class and Lewicki wrestled at 113 in Division III.

Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports

“I think it was a good learning experience for Landon and Cam,” head coach Dan Andel said.

The younger Andel won one match by a 12-3 major decision over Nelsonville-York’s Holden Hodgson in his first consolation match after falling 5-0 to Graham Local’s Colten Taylor in the main draw. He lost 1-0 to Barnesville’s Colt Carpenter in his second consolation match.

“Both of Landon’s losses were pretty tight matches,” said the elder Landel. “The first loss, I think he could’ve done a little bit better. It was 2-0 going into the last 15 seconds. His second loss, he got in on the kid’s legs numerous times but just could not score. I think he wrestled really well overall, though.”

FIELD

Field senior Carter White lost both of his matches in the 157-pound weight division last weekend at the Division II state tournament.

“Every year we write our goals of what we’re going to accomplish, and Carter’s third goal this season was to make it to the state tournament,” head coach Dave Tenney said. “So I think we were able to accomplish a lot with a young man who struggled the season before with some injuries. He had a very, very strong regular season going into the tournament. Things just didn’t work out the way we had hoped in Carter’s first match. In his second match, it was a real heated battle. Carter ended up losing 7-5 on a two-point reversal at the end.”

Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports