At Long Last: The OAC Makes Single Division State Competition a Reality

(above): Could Colt Sponseller and Sean Nemec be headed for a rematch at the Great Eight? Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager News

Rewind to the years 2000 and 2001. 

Harry Lester won his 3rd and 4th state titles in Division III at 119 and 130 lbs respectively in those years.  Meanwhile, in Division II, perhaps the most anticipated high school wrestler to ever compete in Ohio, C.P. Schlatter claimed his first two state titles at the identical weights.  Schlatter would go on to become a 4x state champion, 2x cadet national champion, senior national champion, and junior national champion, and post the best four-year record of any competitor to ever take the mat (165-1), despite wrestling a schedule full of nationally-elite competition.  All Lester would go on to do is win a Bronze Medal at the World Championships (thus far).  Who would have won?  This question was widely debated at the time, but the only thing we know for certain is we will never know (note that 3x state champion Mason Lenhard would have been in the weight in 2000, and Joey Pflug would have been in the weight both years.  This is just one of hundreds, maybe thousands of great matchups that were not to be, due to Ohio’s three division state competition. 

But now, all that has changed.  The Ohio Athletic Committee (OAC) presents the “Great Eight” a true single-division state competition.  All state and district qualifiers are eligible to compete in this event.  For those who aren’t familiar with the OAC, this is the same organization that put together the outstanding Junior High and Youth Wrestling State Tournaments.  These are both true single division state tournaments—if you don’t believe so, look through the old brackets and you will find that 99% of todays highly-ranked competitors once competed at the Junior High State Tournament.  The Youth State Tournament is newer, but has quickly developed a reputation rivaling the Junior High State Tournament.  In short, there was truly only one organization that could have pulled off a single-division state tournament- and thankfully, that is who decided to do so. 

(above): The #1 ranking nationally at 103 could be determine between David Taylor, Logan Stieber, and Jamie Clark (not pictured) at the Great Eight. Photo Credit: Bob Tuneberg, Villager News

From a wrestling fans point of view, this is the best thing that could happen in Ohio Wrestling.  People need no longer debate who the best 152 in Ohio is (currently, Thomas Straughn leads the poll on OWS with 39% of the vote, followed by Eric Cubberly with 30% and Jedd Moore with 17%).  Now they can see for themselves- on March 24th  at the “Great Eight.”  Who would not want to see Sponseller and Nemec match-up again, or David Taylor, Logan Stieber, and Jamie Clark settle their rivalries (for now). The only complaint I have is that the OAC did not put this tournament together sooner!

However, as great an idea as this is, it only works if wrestlers, coaches, parents, and fans in the state wholeheartedly support it.  With the chance to test yourself against Ohio’s best (shortly after the season ends, so you need not maintain your top level of conditioning until July), and with all the opportunity for exposure with college coaches- really, there is no reason why any healthy wrestler who is eligible should not attend this event.  

Potential Questions: 

Q. Where is this event being held?
A. Bowling Green State University

Q. Will my wrestlers have to miss school to compete at this event? 
A. No, all wrestling will take place on Saturday March 24th.

Q. Why is the event called the “Great Eight?”
A. The top eight finishers will be designated all-state.

Q. When are weigh-ins?
A. You may weigh-in on either March 23 (7-8:30 P.M.) or March 24 (8-9:00 A.M.) 

Q. How do I sign up?
A. Sign-up must be done online- you can do so at: http://www.ohioathletics.com/application.lasso

Q. When is the sign-up deadline?
A. March 15, 2007.

Q. Where can I find more information about the Great Eight?
A. You can visit http://www.ohioathletics.com/rules.htm or email the OAC for more information at info@ohiocsc.com.

I look forward to seeing you all there! 

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