Spring Cleaning: Ohio Wrestling Site reviews the top stories of spring 2006.

While the off-season is, by definition, a time where there are less newsworthy events in the wrestling world, the spring of 2006 has been anything but uneventful for Ohio wrestling fans.  For those who may have “tuned out”, the following is a recap of the biggest stories of the spring: 

1. Tom Ryan named OSU head coach

Following several years that saw Ohio’s premier University struggle, the resignation of Russ Hellickson created a huge interest in whom his successor would be.  Tom Ryan has proven to be a highly-supported choice by the Ohio wrestling community for what is considered one of the most attractive coaching opportunities in the nation- despite the lack of success in recent years.  Despite never winning a state title in high school, Ryan became an NCAA Runner-up for the University of Iowa (nearly defeating the first 4x NCAA Champion, Pat Smith, in the finals).  Ryan overachieved as a head coach as well, building a Hofstra program which was one of the worst teams in Division I to one that is consistently among the top 10-20 teams.  The consensus among Ohio wrestling fans is that there is no limit to what Ryan might accomplish with the resources available to him at OSU.  Ryan quickly added Lou Rosselli (another former NCAA runner-up and an Olympic Coach) and Joe Heskett (NCAA Champion from the Buckeye State) to his coaching staff, to go with along with Tommy Rowlands (2x NCAA Champion) and Jim Humphrey (Olympic Alternate and former Olympic Head Coach).

As if this wasn’t enough, 2005 senior national champion Mike Pucillo of Walsh Jesuit High School transferred with Ryan from Hofstra.  Then came news that senior national national runner-up Ryan Patrovich would also be coming, as would highly-regarded New Jersey state champion Will Livingston.

Never one to mince words, Bob Preusse of Amateur Wrestling News, had this to say to Ohio Wrestling Site about the regime change:

“The new coaching staff has re-energized the Ohio State wrestling program. After two straight Big Ten last place finishes there was no enthusiasm among fans-- and little hope things would improve much in the future, although there was considerable young talent on the team. The program was listless. There was a feeling that a change in staff had to be made.

Without a doubt, with an Olympic coach for small guys, Lou Rosselli ---then great Ohio bred Joe Heskett as middle wt coach --- Tommy Rowlands a legend in Ohio as big man coach--- plus head coach Tom Ryan – it’s as good a staff as any in America, and its going to pay big dividends and soon. The attitude in Ohio about the program has completely changed overnite.”

There is no denying the excitement, with the new staff and virtually “reloading” with young talent (Ohio’s best senior, Lance Palmer, will also be wearing the scarlet-and-gray).  The team looks poised for a top 20 finish or better in 2006-2007, with a lineup that will likely feature almost all freshman and sophomores.

2. Revival of the Dustin Schlatter- Brent Metcalf rivalry.

For those who saw their epics bouts, the Metcalf-Schlatter series their senior year was beyond comparison.  Schlatter entered of course not only as a three-time state champion, but had never been defeated in “Fargo” in six tries.  Metcalf entered with approximately 200 wins and no losses, and had won back-to-back “double” titles at junior nationals, with nearly all of his wins coming via technical fall.  Never before had two such highly-decorated wrestlers met at the high school level- and never before was a high school bout so highly anticipated. 

Metcalf drew first blood at the Medina Invitational Tournament, winning a controversial double-overtime victory.  Schlatter avenged that loss with the Senior National title on the line, 4-3.  Metcalf would go on to win his record-tying third straight junior national double title in characteristically dominant fashion.

Upon entering college, however, the duo could not have taken more divergent paths.  Tragedy struck for Metcalf early in the year, with his older brother Chase Metcalf killed in a car accident.  Perhaps as a result, Metcalf uncharacteristically struggled.  He was beaten by solid by relatively unheralded Aaron Martin (himself a former Ohio state champion), and needed overtime to dispatch three different true freshman.  He had relatively close bouts with unknowns such as Daniel Elliot (8-6), Keith Dickey (3-2), Dan Schvartsman (8-6), and Seamus O’Brien (9-6). 

Meanwhile, Schlatter took the entire country by storm.  After dropping an early 1-0 bout to Mark Disalvo, Schlatter would run the table for the remainder of the season, including two wins over defending NCAA Champion Zack Esposito, the second by an unthinkable major decision.  But the best was yet to come, as the true freshman outscored his opposition at Big Tens and NCAA’s by a mind-boggling 71-2 margin.

Just when it appeared the rivalry might fade…….a whirlwind of events began in the Buckeye state which gave it new life.  As discussed above, shortly after NCAA’s, Russ Hellickson’s tenure at Ohio State came to an end.   Knowing that Tom Brands was likely to be the top candidate for this highly coveted position may have been what prompted the University of Iowa to dismiss their embattled head coach and make Brands an offer.  When Brands bolted from Virginia Tech, it was little surprise that his devoted protégé Metcalf came with him.  Iowa and Minnesota, of course, are archrivals, which will only serve to add to the drama of this rivalry.

The Metcalf of old returned this spring, ransacking tough competition to win at FILA Junior Nationals and Junior World Team Trials.  The move to, Iowa combined with his dominating spring performances seemed to almost “throw down the gauntlet” to Schlatter- as the “buzz” about their rivalry renewed.

After Schlatter’s magnificent season, the question remains in the minds of some as to whether this will be much a rivalry. There are two schools of thought- one, that Schlatter has moved to a new level and will dominate Metcalf, two, that Metcalf’s season was hampered by personal tragedy and he will follow a similar career projections as Schlatter.  The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle.  Schlatter’s forte is re-shots off his opponents shot.  Metcalf’s style of never shooting, yet applying constant forward pressure seemed to disconcert Schlatter in their first bout.  In the second bout, Schlatter really handled the action with the exception of Metcalf scoring a counter takedown when Schlatter became “greedy”, trying to extend his lead to 5-0.  It is interesting to note that Metcalf, like so many others, was never close to mounting any offense of his own in either bout.  Given the huge freshman year he had, Schlatter should be unfazed by the physical style of Metcalf next year- look for him to win controlled bouts where he gets an early takedown and piles up riding time, with scores like 4-1, 3-0, etc.  All of this presumes that Metcalf is successfully able to challenge Virginia Tech not granting him a release- otherwise, the rivalry will have to wait until 2007-2008.

3. Andy Hrovat makes the World Team:

Hrovat stunned not only Ohio but the entire world when he felled the great Muhammad Lawal at World Team Trials.  See http://www.ohiowrestlingsite.com/article33.html

4. Harry Lester dominates to make 2nd world team

Many thought former 4x Ohio state champion Harry Lester would become another case of wasted potential after he left Iowa State University in the fall of 2002.  Now, almost two years later, nothing could be further from the truth.  Lester entered the Greco-Roman World Team Trials as the favorite, having made the World Team in 2005.  However, no one could have predicted how Lester would ransack America’s best at the 2006 World Team Trials.  After a fall in the quarterfinals, Lester would go on to outscore his semifinal and final opponents by a combined 25-1. 

Look for Lester to be one of the biggest stories of the summer by bringing home his first World medal home from China.

5. Ohio University Lands Outstanding Recruiting Class.  
Though it has been overshadowed by the events at Ohio State, Ohio University has quietly assembled a superb recruiting class.

The class is headlined by 2x state champion Anthony Ciraky (Westerville South), 2005 state champions Shane Friery (Padua) and Ben Llanas (Eastwood), and 2x state runner-up Quentin Keyes (Walsh Jesuit).  Yet, perhaps the best recruit is the powerful Joe Tymoszczuk of Mentor Lake Catholic.  Unbeaten heading into Districts, a devastating knee injury suffered against Mike Pucillo prevented Tymoszczuk from competing at state in 2005, and forced him to miss the entire 2006 season as well.  However, Tymoszczuk healed up enough to compete at high school nationals, and placed 4th despite the long layoff.  The only issue will be whether the 215 lb. grappler will be a 197 or 285.

Ohio University’s recruiting class has great depth as well, with state placers Mike Wilson, Seth Morton, Kevin Christensen, Cody Van Buskirk, and Mike Marrero coming aboard.  Every one of these competitors has shown they can be competitive with the best Ohio has to offer.
 
6. Fabulous (Incoming) Freshman Give Ohio fans a glimpse of the future:

To those who follow the middle school wrestling scene, the future greatness of Logan Steiber, Jamie Clark, David Habat, and Bradley Squire was no secret. However, all four served notice that that they are future high school superstars with their phenomenal spring performances. 

Steiber was the most brilliant of all, dominating all comers to win both styles at FILA Cadet Nationals.  Competing at 101.5 lbs, in freestyle he posted a win of 6-0, 6-0 over returning cadet national all-american Jon Morrison and a fall in :31 seconds over Florida state champion Eric Chandler in the finals.  Steiber never went the distance in any period in either style at this tournament.  A 3x junior high state champion with numerous youth national titles, many feel that he is as good as David Taylor and Collin Palmer were as incoming freshmen.

Jamie Clark was almost as brilliant at FILA Cadet Freestyle, winning the 92.5 lb. class with little difficulty, including a win of 9-2, 5-0 in the finals.  Clark was a 2x junior high state champion who has also amassed numerous youth national titles.  However, he will face a legitimate challenge to even make the varsity lineup- as the St. Ed’s bound grappler will likely have to wrestle-off for the 103 lb. spot with talented (and heavier) junior high state champion Gus Sako.

2005 Junior High state champion Brad Squire caught the attention of many when he defeated 2006 Division I state runner-up Dan Genetin at Disney Duals by a score of 4-2.  However, before that he defeated Minnesota state champion and NHSCA sophomores national champion Derek Schreiner at FILA Cadet Nationals, along with state finalists from two other states.  Although he was subsequently pinned by Brecksville state placer Pat Zamaria, even in that match the 8th grader won the first period 5-2.  Look for Squire to place highly at Cadet Nationals at 112 lbs.

Finally, two-time junior high state champion David Habat had the look of a future star at the state cadet freestyle tournament.  Looking like anything but an 8th grader, Habat gave state finalist and cadet all-american Jedd Moore all he could handle despite losing a close bout.  Habat should be good enough to place highly at state next year- almost unheard of for a freshman middleweight.  

Next up will be Ohio Wrestlers competing at Junior Duals (last weekend in June), for which an outstanding team has been assembled, and in “Fargo” for Junior and Cadet Nationals (July 23-30).  Stay tuned to Ohio Wrestling Site for coverage!

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OhioWrestlingSite.com 2005