State title a father-son moment for Graham

Credit: Barbara Perenic

Credit: Barbara Perenic

State champion No. 55 was a little different for Graham High School wrestling coach Jeff Jordan.

For the first 54 of his wrestlers to win titles, the coach had one of his assistant coaches present the awards, however Saturday at the state tournament, Jordan decided to present one himself — to his son Bo.

“It’s emotional,” Jeff Jordan said of presenting the award after Bo joined him in the four-time champ club, making them the first father-son combination. “For me, as a dad, it is emotional because it is the last time I will ever coach him.”

Bo Jordan said: “He usually doesn’t do that. When he gave me my medal I told him I loved him. Without him, I couldn’t have done any of this. He has taught me everything, including how to work hard.”

Bo, known for his dominance and technical superiority, won his last high school match with something out of the ordinary. As Wauseon’s Aaron Schuette went into a tripod with Jordon on top, the Falcon senior put a leg in, wrapped his arms around the other leg and rolled through splitting Schuette on his back with nowhere to go for a fall in 40 seconds.

“A lot of people know the power half is coming and you have to have something else to do,” Bo said after being named the Division II Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. “It was there and I went for it.”

He was one of four Falcons to claim a state title, joined by his brother Micah (132), Eli Seipel (113) and Alex Marinelli (152) as they tied Lakewood St. Edwards for most consecutive team titles at 13 with 155.5 points.

“We have a young team and we have been training for one thing all year and that was to tie the record,” Jeff said. “We tried to wrap up the team race on Friday night so on Saturday we can crown as many state champs as we can.”

Bowshier’s dream comes true

Micah Jordan defeated Kenton Ridge’s Preston Bowshier in the finals at 132 pounds to claim his third title.

The Kenton Ridge grappler admitted to being nervous during the Parade of Champions.

“It was an awesome experience,” Bowshier said. “I will remember this. It is everyone’s dream to wrestle in the state finals and become a state champion. I’m ready to start back on that dream for next year.

Greenview reaches new heights

The Rams had runner-up finishes from Logan LaCure (120) and Andrew Hoskins (126), marking the first time they had two finalists in the same year in school history. Armani Robinson added a third place finish at 182 as the Rams recorded their highest ever team finish, fourth, with 53 points.

“We’re thrilled,” Greeneview coach Mike Sizemore said. “We thought this year we might be a year removed from when it happens. Last year was all about firsts and they picked up where we left off last year.”

LaCure dropped a 1-0 decision to Troy Christian’s Garrett Hancock after letting the Eagle wrestler go to begin the final period.

“I knew I had to be offensive and aggressive,” LaCure said. “I had to force the motion.”

Hoskins was tied 1-1 with Waynedale’s Zack Nelson when he got his feet tangled up and gave up the winning takedown in the final 10 seconds of the match.

“I knew it was going to be close,” said Hoskins, a sophomore. “I think we should have more here next year.”

Other area placers included fourth place finishes by Tecumseh’s Chuck Buchanan (152), Mechanicsburg’s Max Erwin (160), Northwestern’s Brandon Rogers (182) and Urbana’s Sam Harris (195). A fifth-place finish by Springfield’s Devin Nye (220) and Urbana freshman Jack Harris (195). Sixth place finishers were West Liberty-Salem’s Trevor Anderson and Mechanicsburg’s Austin Reese (138), and an eighth place finish by Catholic Central’s Anthony DeCarlo (126).

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