Stieber’s a Buckeye: Ohio State’s Win Streak Continues

Since the Ironman (or perhaps before), many knowledgeable wrestling observers have been of the opinion that Monroeville Sophomore Logan Stieber might just be the single most important recruit in the history of Ohio State University wrestling.  Stieber’s credentials, after all, were incredible.  A two-time cadet national freestyle champion, he was perhaps the most dominant competitor in the history of that tournament- or at least the most dominant since Cary Kolat.  A FILA Cadet Champ twice as well, Stieber also has completely dominated the competition in folkstyle wrestling, to the tune of two state titles and an Ironman title- with only a single loss to David Taylor.  This year, he was never pushed, even dominating a great field at Ironman.  Of course, it was this spring that Stieber’s “stock” really rose, when he literally took his dominance to the next level and bested a field of top collegians to win the FILA Junior National Championships (20 and under) despite being only a sophomore in high school.  Along the way, Stieber actually defeated both wrestlers who beat Ohio State starter Nikko Triggas- himself a ‘blue chipper” back in 2007.

Of course, the reason that Stieber has been hailed the biggest recruit in Ohio wrestling history is that it is very foreseeable that the rest of the superb Monroeville quartet- freshman state champs Hunter Stieber, Cam Tessari and the incomparable Chris Phillips- are all likely to follow suit, almost as a “package deal.”  Many are of that opinion due to the fact of how closely-knit the group- who have been training together since early in elementary school- is.  Suffice it to say that no quartet of underclassmen at a single school has ever even rivaled this group in this writer’s eyes- not at St. Edward, not at Graham, and not even at the Walsh Jesuit powerhouse teams of the 1990’s.  To land all four- which I realize is not a done deal- surely seems, like the beginning of a dynasty should it come to pass.

History was not on the Buckeyes Side.  “The big one who got away” has been a recurring theme over the past 20 years of Ohio State wrestling- Alan Fried, Dustin and CP Schlatter, Harry Lester, Kyle Ott, Marcus Mollica.  Even Luke Fickell- hailed has the greatest heavyweight this state has ever produced by well, virtually everyone who knows the sport- went to Ohio State but wrestled just one match as he starred on the gridiron.

But- as the saying goes- that was then, and this is now: as most of you reading this will know by now, Logan Stieber recently made many a Buckeye fan very happy by giving a verbal commitment to compete for the Ohio State University.  The magic tough of Tom Ryan and his staff- fresh off a 2nd place finish at the NCAA Tournament- continues.  Ohio Wrestling Site caught up with Stieber to ask him some questions while he was on his way to compete at the Central Regional Tournament in Columbus.

Ohio Wrestling Site: Logan, I understand you have just given a “verbal commitment” to wrestle for the Ohio State University in college.  What lead you to choose Ohio State?

Stieber: Well, I’ve always loved OSU. I’ve always wanted to go there. My freshman year I went down for a few football games, and last year I did as well.  My high school coach talked to Coach Ryan through email and we set up an unofficial visit.  My mind was pretty much made up before that, but after talking to the coaches and seeing everything I knew that was where I wanted to be.

OWS: What weight class do you see yourself competing at?

Stieber: I see myself as either a 133 or 141, hopefully I can get a little taller, keep building muscle and start off at 133 then build up to 141 eventually. 

OWS: Logan, you recently won the FILA Junior (20 and under) Nationals in Las Vegas- what can you tell us about that experience?

Stieber: It was a lot different than normal tournaments, there was a lot more strategy and handfighting.  It was fun- I just had to be on top of my game the entire time as one mistake could cost me the match.  I won a lot of close matches. 

OWS: Going in, did you think you would be ready to defeat these older opponents?

Stieber: I work out with Eric Burnett and Scott Burnett, I can hold my own sometimes against them, score once in awhile, so I knew I would be able to compete.  But, I didn’t go to that tournament to place or take second, I went to win.

OWS: I understand that Eric Burnett has been a long-time coach to you.  How important has his influence been to your development as a wrestler?

Stieber: It’s been a great influence! It started with his dad, Ron Burnett, when I was younger.  Once I got to the sixth-grade level, we starting working with Eric.  And then Scottie started working with us and he has been a great help for both me and my brother and also for Cam Tessari.  Also, I’ve worked out at summer camps with Coach (Jeff) Jordan.  He has also helped me learn and take my game to the next level. 

OWS: It’s my understanding that you have yet to lose a freestyle wrestling match.  Is that correct?
Stieber: (Pauses to think) Yeah, I think so.  Don’t jinx me though!

OWS: (Laughs). Sorry, that was not my intention. What weight can we expect to see you at for Fargo this summer? 
Stieber: I haven’t decided for sure yet, but I’m hoping to go 125.  I’m wrestling in Columbus this weekend at the Central Regional at that weight.  I’m hoping to get a little bigger so maybe I can wrestle 125 in Fargo. 

OWS: So you may go 119?
Stieber: Yeah, there’s still a possibility of that.

OWS: How about for next season?
Steiber: I’m thinking 125, Cam may go either 119 or 130, he’s gotten a lot bigger.  Hunter will be going 112.

OWS: Logan, David Taylor has of course handed you the only loss of your school career.  With Taylor reportedly growing, do you forsee a rematch with him at either Ironman or Fargo?
Stieber: Ah, well right now we are about the same size, so I don’t know.  If we have to wrestle, we have to wrestle.  But, he’s a lot taller than me so once he starts to fill out, I think he will be a weight class or two above me, especially in college.  

OWS: Does that loss make you want a rematch with Taylor?
Stieber: It doesn’t really occur to me.  He and I are good friends, we work out together all the time, so if we had to wrestle it would be just another match.  Hopefully we will be teammates in the future.

OWS: Having accomplished so much in the last two years, what goals motivate you for the next two seasons?
Stieber: My goal is to wrestle every match my very best, try to win every match.  Try to win a state title and a team state title.  I’d like to win a team title and an individual.   I would like to get more of an academic scholarship.  I took the ACT already- I got a 24 on it- but would like to improve on that so I can maybe get a half academic, half-athletics scholarship. 

OWS: What about beyond high school, what goals have you set?
Stieber: I just hope to get better, wrestle every match to win, and help the Buckeyes win a national title.

OWS: Your teammate, Chris Phillips, is the best young upperweight I have ever seen.  What do you think has made him so good?
Stieber:  I think that he always worked out with us when he was smaller, and I think that helped him.  He’s big, strong and moves very well.  They had him wrestling a lot of high school guys before he got to high school, to push him.  Sometimes, even when he looks tired, he’s still going hard, he pushes through it.

OWS: I realize you are a long way from having to make a decision, but have you decided on an intended major at Ohio State yet?
Stieber: Something in the medical field.  I’d like to be either a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist. 

OWS: Sounds good.  Best of luck this weekend in Columbus!
Stieber: Thanks!

Please feel free to comment on this article on the message forum!

- OhioWrestlingSite.com