DUAL STATE CHAMPIONS … The Archbold Bluestreaks won the Division III team dual state title thanks to a pin by Carson Dominque at 285lbs in the final match of the dual. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
By: Mike Reeves
The Archbold Bluestreaks claimed the Division III Dual State Championship at Versailles High School in dramatic fashion with senior Carson Dominique recording a pin in the final match at 285lbs to put Archbold over the top.
In the quarterfinals the Streaks manhandled Martins Ferry 57-15 only dropping three weight classes.
In the semifinals, Archbold won 48-32 victory over Legacy Christian in a tight contest until the Streak’s upper weight classes took over to seal the victory.
In the state championship match, the Bluestreaks would meet Rootstown and it would be an up and down battle all night where every team point and bonus point would matter.
In the bout at 106, Mason Miller would win by a major decision 11-2 to give Archbold the first points of the match.
At 113, junior Jordan Rodriquez pinned his opponent and that gave Archbold an early 10-0 lead after the first two matches.
Rootstown would win at 120 with a fall over Ashton Stuckey and then at 126 they would get three more team points with a 10-3 victory by Bryce Edwards over Tristan Wyse and another fall at 132.
With Rootstown in front 15-10, Gabe Chapa (138) won by major decision (11-1) to bring Archbold to within one point at 15-14.
Ian Grime at 144 stopped his Rootstown opposition with a 4-2 victory and then Archbold’s returning state runner-up Brodie Dominique would score a pinfall to extend the Archbold advantage to 22-21.
Rootstown would come roaring back winning the next three weight classes to retake the lead 30-22.
At 190, Wyat Ripke scored a pin for Archbold before Rootstown won by decision at 215 to take a 33-28 lead going to the final weight class.
Archbold would need a fall at heavyweight to earn a championship and Carson Dominique answered the bell with just what the Streaks needed, a first period fall (1:43) to give Archbold a 34-33 win.
In Division II at New Lexington the Wauseon Indians came home with a solid 3rd place finish.
Wauseon opened their run with a bout against Vandalia Butler and a 48-21 victory. Then came an arch nemesis for the Indians in St. Paris Graham in the semifinals.
A victory would put them in the finals but, it wasn’t in the cards as they fell to the Falcons 43-13 and would wrestle Louisville for third-place in the consolation bracket.
Wauseon wrestled well 106 as Joey Lugabihl started things off with a 10-8 victory before Zavian LaFountain took a loss at 113 to square the match 3-3.
Wauseon would take the lead 9-3 with Larry Moreno (120) and 126 Collin Twigg (126) both earning solid victories.
Zadan Torres ran into a buzzsaw at 132 and fell by fall, Antonio Torres (138) lost 6-2 but Benicio Torres (144) scored a victory to stop the Louisville momentum.
At 150, Manny Gante fell by a fall (1:45) as Louisville went back on top 18-13. The next five weight classes for Wauseon would bring home victories starting with Kale Waxler (157) getting a pin.
Ian Martin stepped in at 165 for the Indians and wrestled well staking them to a 5-2 victory.
Chance Snow (175) scored a tech fall (18-3) and Austin Kovar (190) would get a 12-2 major decision to make it 28-18.
The Indians would get their final points of the night by forfeit at 215 before dropping the heavyweight match to close out a 33-24 win.
All NWOAL schools will be at Evergreen High School this Saturday for the league championships before the individual state tournament opens with sectionals on February 25.
Division II State Duals
Quarterfinal: Wauseon d. Vandalia Butler 46-21
Semifinal: Graham Local d. Wauseon 43-13
3rd Place: Wauseon d. Louisville 33-24
Division III State Duals
Quarterfinal: Archbold d. Martins Ferry 57-15
Semifinal: Archbold d. Legacy Christian 48-32
Championship: Archbold d. Rootstown 34-33