In wrestling, we think of the big match-ups taking place at the big tournaments- the Ironman’s, the Super 32’s, Fargo.  And yet, in the unbearable heat of a cramped gym in Sharon, Pennsylvania, two of the nation’s greatest middleweights squared off this weekend.  A wrestler who needs no introduction to Ohio fans- three-time state champion Tony Jameson of Austintown Fitch High School- met Colin Johnston of Canton-McMillan (PA) high school.  Johnston is fresh off winning a junior national freestyle crown in “Fargo” and is one of only two wrestlers to defeat brilliant two-time state champion, Collin Palmer of Lakewood St. Edward (last year at Ironman).  Johnston is a tenacious competitor with flawless technique- a hammer from the top position who is outstanding on his feet as well.  The Pennsylvania Senior brought the #1 ranking into the match according to www.amatuerwrestlingnews.com (to Jameson’s #4 ranking).   The first thing that occurred to me was that the style of Johnston would create few opportunities for Jameson to unleash the “funk.”

Johnston shot a low single right off the whistle and went to a “crackdown” finish on the mat.  The Canton-McMillan Senior looked to be in very good position to finish and I thought for sure he would get the takedown.  However, Jameson (seemingly unconcerned) used his flexibility to thwart the Johnston shot and a stalemate was called.  “It’s there all day, Collin, all day” his coached offered.  As it would turn out, however, that would be the last really good shot that Johnston had in the match. 

As the first period progressed, Jameson looked more tentative than is customary.   However, in a great flurry of action Jameson came up with a single.  The Fitch senior wrapped up Johnston’s trail leg and appeared to be securing control as the action hurtled out of bounds.  I was ready to call it a “deuce” (though I can’t claim to be unbiased with a straight face) but no points were awarded.  Ohio Lightning coaches Paul Charvat and Joe Hickin thought it was the correct call.  The first period thus ended 0-0. 

The second period saw Jameson ride Johnston tough with the “boots”.  There were several occasions where Tony J. appeared to be in position to work for a nearfall (on one occasion with his Sanderson-esque “rolling half”), but on each occasion the wrestlers went out of bounds again.  However, on several occasion, off the whistle, Jameson pulled Johnston on top of him to throw in the boots (highly ill-advised for most wrestlers but something Jameson’s athleticism allows him to get away with).  On one occasion Johnston almost had an opportunity to score a reversal Jameson before the uncanny scrambling of Jameson took over- but I had a bad feeling each time he went to this combination.  Finally, late in the second, the Pennsylvania ace was looking for Jameson to do this and capitalized by reversing Jameson off this move.  There was less than ten seconds left on the clock in the second period, so there was no time for Jameson to ger a reversal or an escape.  The second period ended 2-0, Johnston.

In the third, Jameson took the down position.  Remembering how tough Johnston was able to ride Collin Palmer at Ironman- and not really considering this Jameson’s best position- I was concerned that Johnston might be able to ride him out for the win.  However, a series of cautions cut the lead to 2-1, and Jameson closed on a winning reversal several times, once almost able to throw the legs in for control, but each time Johnston hung tough and got the stalemate.  Finally, with about :20 left Jameson broke free in a scramble to tie the score at 2-2.  In these last :20 Jameson was much more aggressive (more like I’m used to seeing him), and the match momentum seemed to shift to him as the overtime period began. 

The overtime period saw the “pace” of the match greatly increased with both wrestlers attacking more- and a number of great scrambles taking place.  Even though this was overtime, this was the best I felt about Tony J.’s chances the entire match, as I figured more action favored his style much more whereas a controlled bout favored Johnston.  A great shot by Johnston was countered by “the funk” as Jameson came very close to scoring a takedown but the wrestlers went out of bounds yet again.  Finally, Jameson shot a low single and went to a crackdown finish.  Johnston scooted on his butt- trying to go behind and throw the legs in.  While I was somewhat close to going behind. I had no doubt that Jameson would get the job done here.   The Fitch Senior waited very patiently  and maintained his position, letting Johnston scoot almost completely behind him, close to a takedown.  Then, in textbook fashion, Jameson ducked his head underneath Johnston’s ankle from the crackdown position, which allowed him to come to his feet.  Jameson quickly wrapped up both of Johnston legs and secured the takedown.  With all the talk of the Jameson “funk”, it was a textbook single finish, with great mental poise in a seemingly bad position, that knocked off the national champion.   Coach Charvat said it best……(shaking his head) “that match was worth coming up here for by itself”.   To me, it showed Jameson’s progression, that he could win a low-scoring bout against an elite opponent, as well as the “barnburners” he is famous for.

I talked wrestling with Jameson in great length after the match.  While some may have the perception due to his “on the mat” persona that Jameson can be “cocky”, speaking with him, what came through was a high school wrestler with great passion for the sport, and respect for other great wrestlers- as well as a very “genuine” individual.  I concluded the conversation more of a Jameson fan than I was before (and a few readers of this site have questioned whether I was in fact a relative of the Fitch senior in the past!)

Jameson had this to say about the match-up with Johnston: “The cool thing about this match was, while of course I knew who Collin Johnston is, when I came here today I had no idea that he would be here.  This match wasn’t even on the radar for me really.”  Since a 4-2 overtime win is the last thing one would expect in a Jameson match, I asked if it was perhaps more difficult to “pull the trigger” wrestling against someone with Johnston’s credentials.  “I’m not sure it’s more difficult, but I go in there, thinking that Johnston is a lot like me, that he can scramble too.  And one mistake against a wrestler like that can cost you the match.  So yeah, it’s something you have to think about.”

We also spoke about his recent decision to commit to the Ohio State University.  “Tom Ryan, Joe Heskett, Rosselli, and Rowlands, all of those guys were so great, I felt like I’ve known those guys my whole life by the end of the trip.  Plus, with all the great wrestlers who have been headed to Columbus- Lance Palmer, Colt Sponseller, Sean Nemec, among others…. I wanted to be a part of that.  It was an easy decision and I can’t wait to get there.  I love to follow college wrestling and I can’t wait to compete.”

Since the Johnston match wasn’t really one he expected, I asked Jameson if there was any particular match-up he was focused on this year.  “You know, there really isn’t.  I will be at 140 all year, I want to wrestle against the best, but this year, I kind of have the attitude, that if someone wants to wrestle me, I’ll be there, but I’m not going to think about any one match-up too much.”  I asked Jameson if he would be headed to Senior Nationals this year in Virginia Beach- he indicated that that tournament, and the upcoming Super 32 were two of the events he was looking forward to the most.   To my surprise, Jameson also indicated that 140 was not at all difficult for him to make, and in fact he was about the same weight as he was last year at this time.

Super 32 Looms Next

In just two short weeks, Jameson and roughly 100 other Ohio wrestlers will compete at the “Super 32 Challenge” in North Carolina.  This event may be the third toughest of the year (after Fargo and NHSCA Senior Nationals).  There are over 100 wrestlers per weight in many weights, typically with about a dozen state champs and 40 state placers per weight class.  Jameson will be entered in by far the toughest weight of the tournament. Among the great competitors lined up to meet Jameson are very highly-regarded two-time New Jersey State Champ Trevor Melde, Reno TOC champ R.J. Pena, one of the nation’s best sophomores in Marshall Peppelman of Pennsylvania (a wrestler who defeated Richie Spicel at the Disney Duals), Junior National 4th place finisher C.J. Napier, and 2005 Ohio state champ Richie Spicel (state runner-up to Jameson in 2007).  In the recent rankings at www.amateurwrestlingnews.com, all of these wrestlers except Spicel is rated in the top five in the nation in their weight (for a total of five wrestlers ranked in the top five).  In addition, there is always the possibility that a certain two-time state champion from St. Edward (himself rated #2 in the nation at 135) could be at this weight, but for now, he is entered in the 140 lb. class.

It will hardly be a walk in the park for Collin Palmer at 135, however. Eight state champions are in his weight, including #8 ranked Jacob Earp and #11 Max Ortega (the same wrestlers Palmer defeated to win NHSCA Sophomore Nationals).   However, I think two Ohioans could make the finals opposite Palmer here- Ryan Fields of Lakota West, and Chase Skonieczny of Walsh Jesuit.  Perhaps the two most “overdue” wrestlers for state titles in this state, both of these wrestlers have fared well here in the past.  This could be the first meeting between Palmer and Skonieczny in what could be an outstanding rivalry (they could also meet at Ironman and in the dual meet between these arch-rival squads).

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