PHOTOS BY DANA BARAJAS
Story originally appeared: March 14th, 2018
By: Mike Reeves
Some things seem to remain a constant. Archbold High School has its ninth individual state champion and Delta has number 24 in school history. Senior Gavin Grime (58-1) ran through four opponents to capture the 145 pound title.
He defeated senior Conan Becker (56-2) from Gallon Northmor in the finals by a 3-2 decision. It was the cumulation of a lot of hard work and dedication for the Bluestreak wrestler. He finished 8th last year and wasn’t going to be denied this season.
Joining Grime at the Schott this year was senior Colton Soles, who ended his career with a fine 8th place finish and sophomore Mason Babcock at 182lbs also gained valuable experience in Columbus but going 0-2 there.
The name Mattin has become synonymous in wrestling circles around the NWOAL, Northwest Ohio and the State Tournament. Cole’s father Mike started it in the late 80’s and he won a state title then came big brother Drew in 2015, ‘16 and ‘17 winning three titles and terrorizing the Big10 this year qualifying for the NCAA’s in Cleveland next weekend.
Young Zach just placed 7th at 106lbs while being under sized but never over matched as a freshman, but this year belonged to junior Cole Mattin. To become a State Champion this year he had to beat a three-time champion in Tommy Hoskins with a takedown in overtime to take a sudden victory decision in the semi final bout, then handled Klay Reeves in the finals 9-2 to be crowned State Champion at 126lbs.
Delta brought four wrestlers to Columbus and placed two, Devin Roberts couldn’t wrestle due to injury and Dalton Richards failed to place by going two and out. The Bulldogs of Swanton qualified five grapples with Ryan Marvin at 160 pounds placing eighth and senior Chase Moore placed fourth to end his wrestling career on the state podium.
Tommy Lytle and the two Schaller brothers also wrestled in the state tournament but fell short of placing. Montpelier sent sophomore Austin Grubb (160) to Columbus and he won one and lost two and was eliminated in his first trip to the Schottenstein Center. The NWOAL always has a good showing at the State Wrestling Championships and this year was no different.
In Division II action, Wauseon placed sixth as a team. While qualifying nine wrestlers to Columbus this past weekend, six came home with medals. Junior Gavin Ritter (113) earned a fifth-place showing with a tremendous weekend of wrestling. He defeated a wrestler who had beaten him earlier in the tournament to garner the fifth place finish. Alex Slattman at 120lbs wound up 0-2 but had a great year.
The tremendous sophomore Nolan Ray finished (126) was sixth for the Indians while senior Gage Grunden (145) had to default to a sixth place finish due to injury. Senior Mauricio Barajas (138) wrestled his way to an eight th place finish in one of the toughest weight classes in the entire tournament.
At 170lbs, Trent Davis had to default out of the tournament due to a right elbow injury that left him unable to compete after his first round loss. Senior Sandro Ramirez ended a terrific career at Wauseon with 194 victories ,he most in school history, but fell 2-1 in his semifinal match and wasn’t able to compete for the rest of the tournament.
At 132lbs, senior Hunter Yackee lost a tough semifinal match to nationally ranked and a two-time State Champion Jordan Decatur and came back to control the final two opponents and capture a third place medal.
Nine wrestlers qualifying and six placers is not a bad showing and the younger guys on the team gained a lot of experience at the the big show. “Hopefully it just makes us hungry for next year!” Coach Ritter said.