Perry wrestling team ousts South Range to clinch spot in Division III state duals
Feb. 4—Sometime in the near future, Perry wrestling coach Dave Rowan will win his 150th career dual.
It's likely going to pale in comparison to No. 140.
Sophomore Nolan Leben posted a 15-6 major decision at 215 pounds and third-seeded Perry defeated second-seeded South Range, 38-33, in a regional final on Feb. 4. The win sends the Pirates to next weekend's Division III state duals, held at Versailles High School.
Times and matchups for the state dual meet between the top eight teams will be released on Feb. 5 or Feb. 6.
"I'm pleased. Very pleased," Rowan beamed. "They earned it, man. They deserve it, that's for sure."
After defeating sixth-seeded Garrettsville, 48-33, in the first round, the Pirates found themselves in a 12-0 hole against South Range. The Pirates ran off five weight classes in a row on a 4-0 win by Riley Rowan at 120, pins by Chance Schlaugh at 126 and Brock Christian at 132, a 9-0 major decision by Chris Bezzeg at 138 and a 14-11 win by Drew Smith at 144.
Up, 22-12, Perry gave up pins at 150 and 157 to fall behind, 24-22 to the host Raiders, but pins by Antonius Bertone and Ryan Brubaker at 165 and 175 put the Pirates ahead.
"Yeah, I was really nervous going out there," said Bertone, a freshman. "When I got the pin, I can't even explain how good that felt. I was so happy."
The pins by Bertone and Brubaker put Perry ahead, 34-24 with three weight classes to go. Even though Trent Taylor lost a close decision at 190, not giving up bonus points was huge for Perry, which led 34-27 with only 215 and 285 remaining.
With senior heavyweight Kenny Walker warming up, sophomore Nolan Leben put the match out of reach with a dominating, 15-6 major decision. He got the first takedown 30 seconds in and never looked back, taking on a reversal and near-fall points in both the second and third periods.
His win gave Perry and insurmountable 38-27 lead. The Pirates forfeited at 285 to end the match with the state berth in hand.
"After Trent lost, I knew I had to get mine," Leben said. "I knew we were going to state if I got it. There were a lot of nerves, but I got over them. Getting the first takedown helped my nerves a lot."
Leben said he and his teammates had plenty of motivation stemming from football season.
"That was the biggest win of my high school career," Leben said. "It felt great after they beat us in football. We were able to get a little revenge and beat them in wrestling to go to the state duals."
Rowan praised his team's performance, calling it "a total team effort." With his son, Riley, coming off an injury and Walker fighting off soreness from a CVC weekend event, Rowan said all of his wrestlers stepped up.
"Impressive day for us," he said. "Our young guys did so well again. It was a good, old-fashioned, grind-it-out dual and we responded."
Said Riley Rowan, "I think it shows that even against odds, we're going to come out and wrestle. Doesn't matter if we're beat up or a couple men down, if we wrestle hard together we're going to be just fine."
In other area regional dual tournaments, Mentor went 1-1 at the Brecksville Division I regional, defeating Medina Highland in the first round before falling to Brecksville in the championship match.
In another Division II match, Lake Catholic lost to Cleveland Central Catholic, 48-33, in the opening round.
