Jameson Wins 135 lb. Donnybrook but……. Clopton Makes a Big Statement!

It’s something every good “funkmaster” knows.  Stay out of the double leg. 

Funkmasters pride themselves on being able to get out of anything.  Tony Jameson could probably start on his back and score a reversal and backpoints within 20 seconds on 90% of the wrestlers in this state.   A funkster is like a shark sensing “blood in the water” when their opponent shoots a single-leg takedown.  The possibilities are limitless- a talented funkmaster whose opponent shoots a single feels like a kid in a candy store, their only difficulty is deciding which of the many available counters to devastate their unsuspecting opponent with.  As the Dean of all funksters, 1972 Olympic Silver Medalist Rick Sanders, used to say of being in a single-leg, “he doesn’t have my leg….. I have his arm!”

What a contrast then, the double-leg is.  The double is like kryptonite to even the best funkmaster.  There just aren’t a whole lot of quality options when your opponent has both of your legs wrapped up.  Tony Jameson found that out the in the Top Gun finals against Marcel Clopton of Shaker Heights. 

The match-up of two-time state champions Ben Jordan and Tony Jameson was one of the most anticipated of the season.  And yet, no one gave the state runner-up Marcel Clopton of Shaker Heights a chance to compete.  None, perhaps less than Ohio Wrestling Site.  Though he was a Division I state runner-up last year, Clopton was an afterthought in this process, his role reduced to someone that we would watch Ben Jordan beat in the semis.  Clopton has never really gotten his due from this site, last year ranked #14 in the state, this year  (in what can only be described as a rankings “fiasco”) as low as sixth in the state (albeit in the toughest weight class in the state).  Clearly, Clopton set Ohio Wrestling Site, and any other doubters straight this weekend.  While the fans debated whether the solid style of Jordan could shut down fellow 2x state champion Tony Jameson, it was the senior from Shaker Heights who stole the show- even in defeat. 

Clopton used a three point 2nd period near fall to build a 3-0 lead in the semis.  Jordan scored a takedown to tie the bout in the waning seconds- only to line up incorrectly and lose 4-3, setting up a finals match between Clopton and Jameson. 

Never one to feel things out, Jameson went right into his beautiful low single right from the get-go.  His set-up on this shot is a thing of beauty.  He appears to be tying-up, but, all in one motion, is somehow in on a deep low single in perfect position.  Eventually Jameson would throw in the legs, and with his great leverage and strength, crank Clopton over in a power-half to lead 5-0.  It looked like another standard Jameson blowout. 

Jameson nearly added a reversal early in the second period, but settled for an escape.  A penalty point for Jameson brought the score to 7-0.  That’s when Clopton took over and out-wrestled the two-time state champion for the remainder of the match.  Clopton fired in on a double and took Jameson to the mat. Jameson searched in vain for a “funk” counter but there was none to be had- as Clopton had both of his legs wrapped up.  Jameson scored a reversal and rode out Clopton to close the second period leading 9-2. 

The third period saw Marcel Clopton wrap-up two more double legs on Jameson.  Clopton’s doubles were lightning-fast- in the second half of the match, he seemed to be able to get in on Jameson at will.  Yet, it was difficult to determine if Clopton was truly  catching Jameson off-guard, or if Jameson was allowing him to get in on the shot, believing he could counter, but then finding himself unable to.  The final score of 11-7 was deceptive.  Clopton scored the final three takedowns out the bout, and was very close to adding a fourth at the end of the bout.  Take away the odd penalty point, and give Clopton a few more seconds to score that takedown, and your final score is 10-9. 

At any rate, Clopton had done something that fellow state runner-ups Michael Lybarger and Tony Jameson could not- challenge Tony Jameson.  The duo could meet two more times before the state meet, one in the regular season and once at the Perry District.  Clopton just may be, from a stylistic standpoint, the toughest challenge to Jameson and the wrestler with the best chance to deny him his third state title.  But he will need to wrestle a perfect match- meaning he cannot give up points in bunches and try to make them up.   

In my view, while Clopton is an outstanding talent (finally, I’m convinced), Tony Jameson simply has too many weapons for him to overcome.  Jameson is such a tremendous athlete.  It’s well known that he has incredible mat-sense, scrambling abilities quickness, and balance.  But an underrated quality about Jameson is his tremendous strength- combined with his leverage, it makes him almost impossible to wrestle on the mat.  It seemed that perhaps Jameson got a bit sloppy due to his supreme confidence in his abilities.  I look for Jameson give Clopton more “respect” next time around- and make the necessary adjustments to avoid Clopton’s double and win by a more decisive margin.




ABOVE: Having only one leg has not stopped the courageous Justin Toth of Painesville Riverside from placing at both the Medina and Alliance Top Gun tournaments.  Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager News.

“Super Six” at 135

The 135 lb. class alone at the state tournament will be worth the price of admission.  This weight features four returning or former state finalists including two state champions.   Thrown in the mix are two newcomers- freshman David Habat and sophomore Andrew Gasber.   Gasber stepped into the limelight by pinning Jordan at the Super 32 duals and has also beaten returning state place-winner Ben Fondale twice.  Habat has been even more brilliant, defeating very tough Pennsylvania state 4th place finisher Ryan Kemmerer twice at Ironman and Division III state runner-up Casey Thome as well.  Most recently, Habat torched the field at C.I.T.  He has yet to lose to an Ohio wrestler.

Yet, what makes this weight even more interesting is the wide variety of entertaining styles involved.  Expect very few dull moments at the state meet in this weight.  You’ve got the “fireplug” styles of Richie Spicel, Marcel Clopton, and David Habat.  Then you’ve got the outstanding funk and mat-wrestling of Tony Jameson and Michael Lybarger.  Finally, there is the state’s deadliest “thrower”, Gasber- a wrestler that nobody wants to draw.   With six wrestlers of such a high-caliber- and with such contrasting styles (some of which will undoubtedly match up in unpredictable ways), the draw will play a huge part in the final outcome.  Other wrestlers who could play spoiler to the top six are #7-#10 (and in a normal year all would be much higher) Adam Haas, Josh Speelman, Vinny Lopez, and Mike Mencini.  

Kilgore’s Revenge

Jeremy Foster’s pin of Dustin Kilgore was one of the biggest stories of the year last season.   While the action in this year’s match was a tad disappointing, clearly Kilgore scored his revenge.  The first period ended 0-0 as both wrestlers seemed afraid to pull the trigger.  Foster was clearly going to wait for Kilgore to shoot, and Kilgore was clearly a bit gun-shy after being countered and pinned by Foster last year.  In the second period, Foster went to his patented switch and scored a quick reversal to take a 2-0 lead.  Kilgore, however, escaped, and scored a takedown which was absolutely huge in the closing seconds of the period.  Kilgore was very smart in his approach here, shooting a single and finishing it on his feet rather than going to the mat where the dangerous Foster could unleash his own “funk.”  When Kilgore escaped to take a 4-2 lead in the third period, essentially Foster needed two takedowns to win the match at this point or another big move- against perhaps the most difficult upperweight in the state to generate offense against.  Foster was never really able to get anything going, as the match was stopped numerous times (apparently for Foster having a nosebleed?) and he never seemed to be able to get in a rhythm as a result- it was almost as if the third period never really happened.

Perhaps it was the effects of the recent loss to Foore, or perhap he was cautious due to his prior loss to Foster, but Dustin Kilgore did not look like the machine I have seen wrestle in the past.  With state runner-up Brian Roddy completely dominating Foore, Dean Gaier, and Kurt Wolff among others in recent weeks, Kilgore is going to have to step up his game if he is going to hold off his challenge and defend his title. 

The Coby Boyd Show Rolls On

Powerful Graham junior Coby Boyd showed why he is a prohibitive favorite to win state this year despite moving up three weights.  Boyd never went the distance in manhandling the field at Top Gun.  In the finals against ninth-ranked Tyler Hoover of West Holmes, Boyd scored two quick leg-attacktakedowns and then turned Hoover in what appeared to be an arm bar (I missed part of the move as I was doing live updates).  With a 7-1 lead at the end of the first, Boyd quickly locked up a “cowcatcher” very early in the 2nd, much as 2x NCAA Champion Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State was so famous for.  Very few can do this power move correctly- but when Boyd locks it up with any time left on the clock, you know the fall is coming (not even Jameson could get out of this one).  



ABOVE: Coby Boyd pins Tyler Hoover in what has come to be known as the "Coby Boyd".  Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager News.

With only a loss to #1 ranked nationally Alex Meade (giving him his best match of the year) and a big win over 4x state champ-to-be Shane Nay of Missouri,,Boyd seems to have separated himself as one of the “big three” juniors in the state at this point, along with Tony Jameson and Brian Roddy).  One of the matches I would like to see the most this year would be Boyd against 2x state champion Kevin Hardy- another wrestler who has also moved up from 130 lbs. and seemingly stepped up his performance. 

Last but Certainly not Least……Sponseller Shines Again



ABOVE: Although Sponseller did not score with this arm-bar, his physical riding wore down Dukes paving the way for six unanswered third period takedowns. Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager
News.

Another brilliant display by Ohio’s best wrestler, Colt Sponseller.  If scientists could clone the West Holmes senior, they could name their price and have coaches lined up as far as the eye could see.  With his relentless attacks and incredible energy level- Sponseller wrestles the way coaches (and fans) wish all of their wrestlers would.  Phil Dukes made it to the finals of this ridiculously tough weight class by defeating Nick Mills of University School 5-3- but was no match for Sponseller in the finals.  Building a 7-2 lead with three takedowns (and doing some punishing riding to further wear down Dukes), Sponseller completely broke the Ravenna Senior with six takedowns in the third period for a 20-8 final.  Had their been a fourth period he would have gotten ten takedowns- by no means a discredit to Dukes, there simply are very few wrestlers that can match Sponseller’s pace.  For his efforts Colt Sponseller was named Outstanding Wrestler- in what had to be close to a unanimous vote!

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