Celina’s Kenzie Miracle looks to escape the grasp of Tinora’s Ava Steffel on the final day of competition at the OHSAA state wrestling tournmanet in Columbus on Sunday.
COLUMBUS – For many high school wrestlers, getting an opportunity to wrestle on the third and final day of the state wrestling tournament is a goal.
If a wrestler is still competing on the third day, that means the athlete has earned a top-eight finish in their respective weight class and has earned all-Ohio status.
On Sunday, the third day of the Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center, many wrestlers around the state fulfilled their dreams.
Wapakoneta had two of its three state-qualifiers reach the third day in Division II.
Sophomore Caden Mellott placed sixth in the 113-pound weight class for the Redskins. Mellott (44-9) lost a close one in his fifth-place match to Napoleon’s Alex Gonzales, 7-6.
In the 190-pound weight class, Wapakoneta junior Jace Knous (46-11) notched a seventh-place finish in impressive fashion, defeating Morgan’s Logan Niceswanger in the seventh-place match by way of a technical fall, 17-1.
Teammate Corbin Mitchell (47-7, 157), a senior, went 0-2 in the tournament and bowed out the first day.
Last season, Knous was a state alternate for the Redskins.
“My goal was to place this year. That’s what I got and I’m proud of myself for it,” Knous said. “I’m going to try to get top three next year. I’ll use this as a springboard. … So, we’ll see.”
Longtime Wapakoneta head coach Jason Rostorfer said Knous has really progressed the last couple years.
“His freshman year, he unfortunately was injured. So, he missed his whole freshman year,” Rostorfer said. “Last year, it took a while to get the rust knocked off (after football season). So, this past summer he went to Jordans (Jeff Jordan’s State Champ Camp) with us. … That’s a tough camp. I think he went through the whole camp and did not give up a take down. So, he opened some eyes. He just works really hard.”
Mellott was competing at the state tournament this weekend for the first time as well.
“He (Mellott) didn’t make it out of districts last year as a freshman,” Rostorfer said. “He had a tough bracket. So, to finish in sixth place and get on the podium is great. He’s kind of like Jace – making that jump from not being in the state tournament to being on the podium.”
Rostorfer has high expectations for Mellott and Knous.
“We always say, ‘We’re going to shoot for lofty goals and hopefully get there. And if we don’t, we’re still going to be close’,” Rostorfer said.
Hisey places fourth
St. Marys sophomore Tate Hisey came into this weekend’s state tournament with a perfect 40-0 record.
Last season, Hisey placed fifth in the 106-pound weight class at the state tournament.
On Sunday, Hisey placed fourth in the 113-pound weight class in Division II.
In Sunday’s consolation semifinals, Hisey scored late in the third period on a reversal to record a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Wapakoneta’s Caden Mellott.
In his third-place match Sunday against Chillicothe’s Cannan Smith, Hisey (42-3) lost 6-4 in sudden-victory overtime.
Miracle closes out with seventh-place finish
Celina sophomore Kenzie Miracle decided to get back into wrestling two years ago.
It was obviously a good decision.
Miracle put herself in position this weekend to be on the awards podium.
On Sunday, Miracle notched a seventh-place finish in the 105-pound weight class in the first OHSAA sanctioned girls state wrestling tournament.
In the seventh-place match, Miracle (36-10) came back after being down 2-0 to Tinora’s Ava Steffel and won 4-3.
“It feels great to walk out of here seventh and not eighth,” Miracle said with a grin.
Steffel is a familiar opponent for Miracle
“That’s the third time (we’ve wrestled each other),” Miracle said with a grin. “She beat me the other two times, both very close matches. So, the third time was a charm. She pinned me the first time, when I was up by two. Then, we wrestled at regionals and she beat me 7-4. … I beat her when it mattered.”
James Miracle, her coach and father, said she accomplished her goals this season.
“The goal this year was to place,” Coach Miracle said. “Next year, we want to be in the finals, competing for a state title. She’s put a lot more time in this year than last. And it’s going to get harder every year.”
Ducat gets eighth place
Defiance sophomore Mason Ducat (49-7) placed eighth Sunday in Division II. In his seventh-place match at 132 pounds, Butler’s Parker Lee defeated Ducat, 7-0.
Last season, Ducat wrestled at the state tournament, and went 0-2.
“I wished I would have placed higher, but I can’t complain,” Ducat said. “I’m in the top eight in the state (at 132 pounds). I just got to improve more. I have to get my stamina up and improve on what I am doing wrong.”
Added Defiance head coach Pat Murphy, “It’s very hard to place. We’re very proud of him. As a coach, I already have things he can work on. We know he has higher goals; and we’re going to do what it takes to keep improving. That’s the challenge. … While you’re a little disappointed, you’re also working to improve. You just want to do better all the time.”
Mark Altstaetter wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
