St. Paris Graham won a record 14th straight state title in Division II with four individual champions along with a runner-up and four other placers. Graham passed St. Ed's' record of 13 straight team state titles that they won from 1997-2009.
Division III saw Delta win the state title in relatively easy fashion. Delta won it on the depth of the entire team as they did not have a single state champion this year. All three of these teams won the dual team state tournament as well this year.
Micah Jordan won by pin in the state finalsAdding to Graham's riches this year in the finals was Eli Stickley, who broke through for his first state title with a dominating 9-0 major decision over Tariq Wilson of Steubenville. At 138 it was the freshman sensation Kyle Lawson of Saint Paris Graham, who was able to use the cow catcher to secure the second-period pin to capture his first state title. Returning state champion Alex Marinelli, ranked No. 11 nationally, was able to hold off Kordell Ford of Hillsboro, 9-8, for his second straight state title.
Jordan wasn't the only four-time state champ tonight. Jacob Danishek of Dayton Christian, ranked No. 2 nationally, picked up his fourth state title. He got a big scare in his finals match as he was put to his back and almost pinned in the first period. Danishek fought off and was able to tie it to end the first at 5-5. After an escape by Zack Ladich of Roostown, a scrambled ensued until Danishek was able to secure the takedown and add back points for safe measure. Danishek will take his talents next year to Indiana University.
The toughest bracket in the state tournament belonged to Division I 120 pounds where we saw multiple-time Fargo All-Americans and returning state placers do battle. Nationally ranked Austin Assad of Brecksville's bid for a state title was derailed when Jake Newhouse of Massillon Perry knocked him off in the quarterfinals Friday morning, 8-7. Instead taking home the state title on the strength of his takedown power was sophomore Alex Mackall of Walsh Jesuit as he defeated Newhouse. Next year will be no easier as all the state placers return from this meat grinder of a weight class.
Very rarely do you get two state champions in the same weight class, let alone three state champions in the same weight class. In Division II 126 pounds we had three state champions in that weight class: Anthony Tutolo of Mentor Lake Catholic, Eli Seipel of St. Paris Graham and Cameron Kelly of Bellbrook. Again sticking with the theme of upsets in the quarterfinals, Seipel was upset in the tiebreaker, losing 5-4 to Devin Rodgers of Springfield Northwestern. Seipel did rebound to take third, defeating Rodgers in the placement match. However the weight class belonged to Tutolo as he was able to rack up multiple takedowns in the finals over Kelly to collect his second state title at 126 pounds.
No. 12 Hayden Lee knocked off No. 4 Jose RodriguezMassillon Perry had seven state finalists this year and came away with three champions. David Bavery, a state champion in 2012, returned to the top this year as he came up with a sudden victory 3-1 decision over Josh Parrett in the finals. Bavery was able to capitalize on a scramble to come out on top in the overtime period for his second state title. Joining Bavery on top of the podium was Casey Sparkman at 152 pounds, who outlasted scrappy sophomore Ben Darmstadt, 11-8. Tony Dailey rebounded after losing in the district finals to defeat A.J. Kowal of Cincinnati Princeton, 6-5. Dailey was able to get a third-period takedown that was the difference in a match that was full of back-and-forth action.
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