Pat Galbincea
Plain Dealer Reporter
Most wrestling experts gave Ohio little chance to win its fourth straight team title prior to the 16th National High School Wrestling Championships at the Cleveland Convention Center’s Public Hall.
This was supposed to be Ohio’s weakest team since former Bucknell coach Bob Ferraro founded the tournament in 1990. But what experts didn’t consider was the toughness of Buckeye state wrestlers outside of Northeast Ohio. Ohio wrestlers won five semifinal round matches Saturday evening and chalked up 187,½ points, almost 30 more than New York (163), while pre-tournament favorite California is third with 151.
The five Ohioans wrestling for titles in tonight’s finals (6 p.m.) are Division II state champs Dan Earley (103 pounds) of Columbus DeSales, Mike Pucillo (189) of Walsh Jesuit and Jason Marshall (215) of St. Paris Graham, 2004 Division III state champ Clay Tucker (140) of Martin’s Ferry, and four-time Division I state champ Dustin Schlatter (145) of Massillon Perry — who’ll face unbeaten Brent Metcalf (233-0) of Michigan.
Of the five, the biggest surprise is Tucker, who was losing in the semifinals, 5-1, to No. 2 seed Mitch Smith of West Virginia in the final period, but rallied and tied the match, 6-6, with a takedown in the last eight seconds, and won, 7-6, when Smith was penalized for stalling in the last 11 seconds of overtime.
“Doctors told me I had mono [mononucleosis] shortly before the state tournament, “Tucker said. “I was advised not to wrestle at state. But how could I not wrestle? I got to the semifinals, lost badly, and defaulted to sixth place.
“I wanted to end my high school career on a better note. I rested, then started practicing hard to get back in shape, and beat [Smith] because I was in good shape. I feel 100 percent, and can’t wrestle any better than I have been. I’m thrilled my points are also helping Ohio as a team.”
Pucillo, ranked No. 1 nationally in one publication, had an interesting Saturday. In the quarterfinals, he beat good friend and Division I state champ Mike Ward of Mayfield, 1-0, by riding him out the final period, then got a sweeping single-leg takedown in the final 27 seconds to edge Jon Jones of New York, 4-3, in the semifinals.
“I always struggle with Ward, who is a really great kid, “said Pucillo, who has beaten him three times this season. “Neither can take the other down. [Assistant coach] Jeff Black noticed the head official was from Pennsylvania, so I knew I could aggressively ride Mike out. I almost tilted him twice. An Ohio official would have called me for stalling on top . . . for sure.”
Marshall is St. Paris Graham’s least known standout wrestler. Like Pucillo, he is quick and often spins behind opponents.
“I’ve been overlooked because I had serious injuries my first three years, “Marshall said. “I tore my elbow as a freshman, blew out my knee as a sophomore, and broke my leg as a junior. This year, I’m healthy and feel great. I have a good chance of being the champ if I continue wrestling smart and aggressively.”
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