Final gets flipped
Crazy ending can’t detract from Campbell’s joy at title, revenge
Shaun Bennett
The Chronicle-Telegram
COLUMBUS ” Even an atrocious act by Chanel senior Cameron Wade wasn’t enough to spoil Jesse Campbell’s celebration.
The Black River senior heavyweight earned two stalling penalties on Wade ” the second coming in overtime ” and came away with a 2-1 decision and the Division III state championship Saturday night.
Also bringing home state titles to the area were St. Edward wrestlers Collin Palmer, a Columbia Station resident who won the Division I 125-pound championship, and Chris Honeycutt, a North Ridgeville resident who captured the 189-pound crown.
Finishing with runner-up performances were University School freshman Brad Wukie, who lives in Elyria and wrestled in Division II’s 119-pound weight class, and Berea senior Dustin Kilgore, who was unable to successfully defend his Division I 171-pound state championship.
“I’m on such a high right now, there’s nothing that compares to this,” Campbell said. “I felt like I wasn’t going to lose the match. So I just went out there and left everything on the mat.”
After shaking Campbell’s hand, Wade stuck his middle finger in the referee’s face not once, but twice, before storming off the mat.
“My emotions were running wild,” Wade said. “They got the best of me. I want to wish Campbell the best of luck with everything else he does with the rest of his life. He won the match, it’s his glory day.”
Value City Arena erupted in a chorus of boos after Wade’s gesture, and cheering only resumed when Wade was pulled off the podium before the medal ceremony.
“The wrestler used two profane … um, discussions with the referee,” OHSAA assistant commissioner Hank Zaborniak said of Wade. “He was then disqualified and ejected from the tournament. He forfeits his placement and all the team points he earned.”
“I don’t condone what happened,” Chanel coach Graham Coghill said. “He lost control. But I just think it was poor refereeing, period.
“You’ve got to learn to control yourself. He’s never done anything like that before. I can understand his reaction.”
Wade approached Campbell and the Black River coaches afterward and apologized. But it was too little, too late.
“We wouldn’t have wanted to beat him that bad if he had a little more class,” Black River coach Corey Kline said.
There has been bad blood between Campbell and Wade ever since last season’s state championship match. Wade defeated Campbell 5-3 and jumped up after the match and began to shout some disparaging remarks about the Black River wrestler.
The two have built a rivalry since their sophomore season when Campbell pinned Wade in the district quarterfinals. Wade lost the rematch in the district championship of their junior season, but proved the third time was the charm by downing Campbell in the final.
Wade tied the series in this year’s district championship match ” earning the first district championship of his career ” before Campbell’s stunning victory Saturday night closed the series.
“It was a Peterson that we were half a step behind, and that’s the only reason we lost last year in the state finals,” Kline said. “This year in districts, it was our mistake. We took a bad shot, which we didn’t do tonight.
“If it wasn’t for our own stupidity, we could have been 5-0 against Wade.”
The victory gave Campbell his first state title ” Black River’s fourth ” and denied Wade his third straight.
“He came up to me afterward and apologized for everything,” Campbell said. “It’s a great rivalry. Now I think we’re on an even keel. I don’t think we’re enemies any more.”
The state championship was also the first for Kline as the Pirates’ coach.
“It is the best day of my (coaching) life so far,” he said. “(Campbell) gets in the finals and I’m dreading it. I’m nervous, happy, sad, all at the same time.
“I knew he wanted it, but I didn’t know if he wanted it bad enough. He proved me wrong. He wanted it bad.”
The moment was bittersweet for the Pirates’ coach. While talking about how great Campbell’s victory was, he was already lamenting the loss of a great wrestler, and an even greater person.
“He’ll probably come to my house and watch movies and see the kids when he comes home (from college),” Kline said. “We probably won’t go a week without talking to each other at least once.”
The win over Wade ” the No. 4-ranked heavyweight in the nation ” will probably open some doors when it comes to Campbell’s college career. Campbell has put Cleveland State on the top of the list, but Saturday’s performance may bring some bigger wrestling powerhouses calling.
“Yeah, I think he’s going to have to hold on,” Kline said. “I think his phone is going to be a little busy. I think his phone is going to be ringing off the hook for the next few weeks.”
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