First Posted: 3/9/2015
BLUFFTON – Bluffton has a rich tradition of producing state-caliber wrestlers.
There have been many that showed promise at an early age, and later went on to claim their fame at the state wrestling tournament.
In the history of the program, Bluffton has claimed eight individual state titles. In 1981, Bluffton won the Class A team state title.
However, over the years, a few athletes have slipped under the radar.
Such is the case with Bluffton junior Blake Sampson.
Sampson (29-6) a heavyweight, finished third at this past weekend’s Division III district tournament at Troy, earning a berth to this week’s state tournament.
The top four placers in each weight class at districts advanced to the state tournament, which runs Thursday through Saturday at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center.
After wrestling from an early age up through his freshman year, Sampson did not wrestle last season.
However, after getting a late start to this season, Sampson is making a name for himself.
“He’s a big heavyweight,” longtime Bluffton coach Jeff Kleman said. “He has a couple moves he likes. He’s always used those from biddy’s on up. It fits the heavyweight style really well.
“So, we knew he could do it. He worked out really well this year. He came out late. …It was a last minute call, and it’s worked out well for him.”
After taking a year off, Sampson didn’t envision himself being at the state tournament his first year back.
“At the beginning of the season, I never pictured myself being here,” he said. “So, I’m glad I got here.”
As this season progressed, Kleman saw a lot of promise in Sampson. The soft-spoken heavyweight began to open eyes as he knocked off some quality wrestlers along the way.
“He’s beaten some state qualifiers. He beat a state qualifier at the Lima Central Catholic Holiday Tournament. He beat a state qualifier at the Van Buren tournament. So, we knew he was close. It was just a matter of not making mistakes and getting himself into trouble,” Kleman said.
Kleman says Sampson’s soft-spoken personality can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
“He’s very mellow. …Sometimes that’s a little bit of a detriment,” Kleman said with a smile. “But, he was focused on his last match (go-to-state match at districts). He went out and got a little revenge from the match before. We’re moving on to Columbus and we’re happy about that.”
On Saturday, the second day of the district tournament, Sampson was pinned by Miami East’s Ben Ferguson in the semifinals, but rebounded to beat Jamestown Greeneview’s Isaiah Harding 11-7 in his go-to-state match.
Then, Sampson pinned Troy Christian’s Seth Douglas in the third-place match.
Sampson is not satisfied at just being a state qualifier. He wants to go to Columbus and win some matches and establish himself as a legit heavyweight.
“Halfway through the year, I could see myself here,” Sampson said. “It (getting on the podium at the state tournament) is definitely my goal and then maybe going further next year.”
Sampson said Kleman gave him some simple advice.
“He (Kleman) said to pretty much keep my mind straight and not get too cocky. He said to just believe in myself,” Sampson said.
Added Kleman, “That was his goal (going to state). He wanted to get down to the ‘Schott’ and he worked hard to get there.”
