Area Wrestler of Year: Graham's Max Thomusseit

Graham High senior has dominated the 189 weight class, including winning two state titles.

Graham High School wrestler Max Thomusseit, who won his second state title this year, is the Springfield News-Sun 2010 All-Area Wrestler of the Year. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara J. Perenic Graham High School wrestler Max Thomusseit, who won his second state title this year, is the Springfield News-Sun 2010 All-Area Wrestler of the Year. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer Updated 7:16 AM Monday, March 22, 2010

ST. PARIS — You could say Graham High School senior Max Thomusseit is aptly named.

As in “max-imum” strength, “max-imum” explosiveness and “max-imum” mat intelligence — all of which allowed him to reach his “max-imum” potential. He’s a four-time state placer and two-time state champion.

It’s just that no one knew it until his sophomore year. That’s when, after placing seventh in the state at the 130-pound weight class as a freshman, Max resurfaced at 189 and climbed to third-best in Ohio. Then he owned that same weight class last season as a junior and this year as a senior.

That’s why the News-Sun Max-ed out with this year’s All-Area Wrestler of the Year Award, giving it to the quiet tower of power in the black and gray Falcons singlet.

Thomusseit was 41-2 on the season, his only two losses coming to No. 1 nationally-ranked Mike Evans of Blair Academy, N.J. He won his second state title earlier this month with two first-period pins and two technical falls.

“Max has had a great career,” said Graham coach Jeff Jordan. “We’ve had some good ones, but Max is right there at the top with those guys.

“His biggest strength is his explosive power and his strength,” he continued. “Max intimidates everyone. Sometimes he even intimidates me. A guy that big, he could walk around and be the meanest guy in the school. But he’s not like that.”

Thomusseit has a quiet approach to things, preferring to let his success do the talking. And since his move to the upper weights, foes from all over the country have been hearing him loud and clear.

“The upper weights were more my style than the 130 weight class,” said Thomusseit. “You use power to gain the upper hand. But some tactics I learned from the lower weights have helped me, too. Like being able to shoot in and being faster.”

Thomusseit will take his next shots with a full-ride scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh, where his older brother, Zac, already competes.

“I think it’s always been my goal from the beginning, to wrestle in college,” he said. “That’s what you work for and dream of is wrestling at the NCAAs.”

If Thomusseit has anything near the impact he’s had at Graham, he’ll be a success on the bigger stage as well.

“Max is the leader of my team,” said Jordan. “Everyone looked up to him. He’s not a big rah, rah kid. He’ll walk up to a guy and just say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to work harder.’ My guys just fed off of anything Max said.”

FIRST TEAM

103: Ryan Taylor, Graham, sophomore, 31-4

112: Tim Arthur, Greeneview, senior, 33-2

119: Nick Brascetta, Graham, junior, 34-1

125: Sheldon Kegley, Graham, senior, 24-6

130: Bo Jordan, Graham, freshman, 28-1

135: Isaac Jordan, Graham, sophomore, 33-3

140: Felipe Martinez, Graham, sophomore, 27-0

145: Matt Stephens, Graham, junior, 31-4

152: Max Erwin, Mechanicsburg, sophomore, 34-3

160: Cody Rodgers, Mechanicsburg, junior, 35-2

171: Huston Evans, Graham, sophomore, 26-2