First Posted: 3/11/2015
LIMA — The view from the floor of the Jerome Schottenstein Center at Ohio State can be very intimidating.
It’s a venue that most high school wrestlers will never experience.
However, for the fortunate athletes who have competed at the state wrestling tournament at the “Schott,” the view can be slightly different the second time around.
For some of Lima area state-qualifiers, the second time down to the state tournament has a little different meaning.
Lima Central Catholic junior Hunter Lucas (113-pound weight class) and Jack Huffman (182, senior) will make their second trip to the state tournament, which runs today through Saturday.
LCC coach Nick Sanchez points to his two athletes’ experience as an advantage.
“It’s just another match,” Sanchez said. “They’re both experienced. They’re not going to be star-struck or anything. …So, we’ll just go down and keep a level head. You never know what can happen. We just have to stay focused. We know what we need to do with our individual training. We just have to get them ready to wrestle and take it one match at a time.”
At last season’s Division III state tournament, Huffman placed seventh in the 195-pound weight class. Lucas finished fourth in the 106-pound weight class in Division II competing for Shawnee.
Huffman is coming off an impressive win in the district championship match at Troy this past weekend. Huffman was in control from start to finish as he knocked off Covington’s Ben Miller for the district title at 182, 6-1. Miller, who came into the finals with a 49-3 record, had beaten Huffman earlier in the season.
“Everyone has goals for themselves,” Huffman said. “But, after placing last year, I knew I wanted to place higher this year. I just want to improve on last year.”
Huffman said that once you get to the state tournament, anything can happen.
“I’ve sat there and watched so many state tournaments and have seen proof that anything can happen down there. So, my plan is to go down and be ready to throw everything I’ve got at anyone I wrestle and see where we come out. I’m going to do everything to put myself in a good position,” he said.
As a team, LCC finished sixth at last weekend’s district tournament. Along with coming away with two state-qualifiers, Collin Hennon (132) placed fifth at Troy to earn a state-alternate spot for the Thunderbirds. The top four placers in each weight class at districts advance to the state tournament.
Sanchez credits his coaching staff and athletes for the success of his program this season.
“We (LCC coaches and wrestlers) have all experienced different pressures,” Sanchez said. “That’s what is great about the bond that we have. Honestly, if it wasn’t for my coaching staff, we wouldn’t be this far. I have to give credit to our staff. We’ve done everything that we can, and the kids have stuck to the game plan.”
Delphos St. John’s senior Wes Buettner, a state-qualifier at last year’s Division III state tournament at 170 pounds, finished second at Troy last weekend at 195.
Buettner (43-4) is heading to the state tournament with the same goals he had last season.
“My goal every year is to be a state champion. That’s what I want. ….That’s what I’m aiming for,” he said.
Elida’s 113-pounder Blaine Hunter (33-4) will be returning to the Schottenstein Center. Last season, Hunter placed eighth at 113 pounds in Division II.
Ada senior Austin Windle (170) gets another opportunity to compete at the Division III state tournament. Last season, Windle finished seventh at the state tournament at 160 pounds. This season, Windle (20-2) got a late start, because of a hernia operation.
Wapakoneta sophomore Landon Hall was a state-qualifier last season in the 182-pound weight class. Hall (45-5) will return to the Division II state tournament at 182.
