“It’s an unreal feeling,” Stewart said. “It’s something I’ve worked for my whole life. It was a dream that became reality (on Sunday).”
After the match, Stewart admitted to being in disbelief. He hugged Coach Tyler Westlund and then threw him to the mat, making good on a bet they made years ago.
“It was the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my whole life,” Stewart said. “I was like, ‘This can’t be happening. It has to be a dream still.’”
2022 OHSAA Div. III 215lb State champion. 28-0
— Tyler Westlund (@tywestlund) March 14, 2022
First in school history.@OhioMatMedia @DrewBlogzCLE @AD_Greenon @MrRogerTaylor @GOhioCasts @GreenonSchools pic.twitter.com/7fyAVRpXla
The path to the state championship over the last four years was an arduous one for Stewart.
As a freshman at Urbana, he placed eighth at 170 in Division II and later had shoulder surgery. Stewart qualified for the D-II state tournament as a sophomore, but the event was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last season, Stewart moved to Greenon and finished second in D-III at 182 pounds, losing Archbold’s Carson Meyer 3-2. After the season, the senior underwent another shoulder operation and missed half the season this winter due to ankle surgery.
He returned in late January and never missed a beat, finishing the season with a perfect 28-0 record.
“I overcame a lot,” Stewart said. “If you would’ve told me my freshman year I would’ve made it through all these surgeries and became a state champ my senior year, I would’ve told you you’re lying. I never would’ve believed in a million years it would’ve happened.”
Stewart is the first Clark County wrestler in 20 years and fourth overall to win state. He joins Tecumseh’s Tristan Murray (2002), Shawnee’s Rick Allen (1998) and Catholic Central’s Steve Knowles (1984).
After winning the state championship, Stewart has already had coaches reach out to him about his future. He hopes to wrestle collegiately next season.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Stewart said. “I felt like I hadn’t been seen yet. After taking the big stage and doing what I needed to do, I think I was able to get out there and show my potential.”
Greenon senior Arlie Benson, Jr. placed fifth at 138 pounds, pinning Barnesville’s Skyler King in 1:48 in his final collegiate match. He’ll wrestle collegiately at Wabash College next season.
Knights senior Ashton Simison (190) lost 6-1 to Indian Lake’s Owen Pummel in the second consolation round, going 1-2 overall for the tournament. He finished the season 48-12, setting the program’s single season record for victories.
The Knights finished eighth as a team with 41 points, Westlund said.
“It’s been a fun ride,” Westlund said. “We went out with a bang. You couldn’t ask for more.”
In Division II, Graham won the team championship for the 21st consecutive year and 23rd time overall, bringing home four individual state titles. Aurora placed second, 71 points back of the Falcons.
“It was a lot of fun to be down there with those guys,” said Falcons coach J.T. Rice, who took over the program this season after serving as an assistant coach last season. “They work really hard all year. To see it all pay off for those guys was a lot of fun.”
Graham sophomore Beric Jordan pinned Ontario’s Jacob Ohl in four minutes to win his second state championship at 106 pounds. He finished the season a perfect 44-0 and also became the 100th overall Graham wrestler to win a state championship.
“It’s a testament to (Coach Ron McCune, Coach Jeff Jordan and Coach Travis McIntosh) and all the guys that have been here and the foundation they’ve set with this program,” Rice said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication that they put into it.”
Falcons freshman Brogan Tucker (113) beat West Holmes’ Mason Taylor 7-1 to win his first state championship.
Graham sophomore Carter Neves (215) defeated Columbus DeSales’ Max Shulaw 7-2 to win his first state championship. A year ago, he finished second at 182 pounds.
Falcons senior heavyweight Nolan Neves beat Maysville’s Gauge Samson 3-2 to win his first state championship. He finished third last season.
“When you get to this level, they’re all good,” Rice said. “When you get to the state finals, all the guys are really tough. They’re there for a reason. You’re going to get the best version of that guy. They’re there trying to win a state title as well. Each one was special in its own way. They were all hard fought matches and really fun to watch.”
Two other Graham wrestlers — Nolan Gessler (144) and Gunner Cramblett (157) — were state runners-up.
Mechanicsburg placed third overall in D-III with 69.5 points, just 8.5 points shy of runner-up Milan Edison. Legacy Christian won the state championship with 136 points.
Mechanicsburg senior Westyn Moyer (150) and senior Jake Hurst (157) each placed second, while senior Trey Allen placed third and junior Zane Hitchcock placed fifth.
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