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Erb places fourth at state |
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Monday, 03 March 2008 |
 Redskin freshman Logan Erb pauses for a brief second during a match on Friday in Columbus. (Staff photo/ Joshua Keeran)
By JOSHUA KEERAN
Sports Editor
COLUMBUS — Logan Erb’s freshman campaign came to an end on Saturday in the Division II state tournament at the Schottenstein Center, but not before the Wapakoneta Redskin grappler stood atop the podium as the fourth-place finisher in the 215-pound weight class.
Erb’s finish cements his name forever in the Wapakoneta history books as the first freshman to place at state.
In Erb’s consolation semifinal match, he rebounded from his loss in the championship semifinals Friday night by defeating Hillsboro senior Oney Snyder (43-4) by a score of 3-2.
“Logan wrestled an extremely talented kid in the consolation semis. Logan got a crucial takedown and it won the match for him, Wapakoneta varsity coach Jason Rostorfer said. “When you are competing at this level, you might only get one opening to score, and in this match Logan was able to get the 2 points for the takedown.”
With third place on the line, Erb took to the mat to face Steubenville junior Branko Busick, who entered the match with a 39-2 record. In the end, Busick proved to be too much for Erb, winning the match by a score of 5-2.
“In the match for third, we came up a little short. Logan was in twice on nice shots, but Busick scrambled out of the first one and we went out of bounds on the second one.”
Following the match, Rostorfer made sure Erb knew the significance behind what he had just achieved in his first year of varsity wrestling.
“I told Logan to keep his head up and be proud of what he accomplished,” Rostorfer said. “This coaching staff, his family, and all Wapakoneta fans are very proud of this young man. Now Logan knows he can compete at this level and next season his goal is to win a state championship, period!”
In the 215-pound state title match, Sandusky Perkins senior Matt Fisher defeated Medina Highland junior Tyler Houska by a score of 4-3.
The Redskins finished 35th in the state with 13 points. For the eighth straight year, St. Paris Graham took home the team title with 221.5 points. Rounding out the top five were Oak Harbor (81), Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (73.5), Hunting Valley University School (69) and Sandusky Perkins (59).
“This was a very exciting season, and I am sad to see it end. We had some younger wrestlers peak at the right time and come through for us in a big way,” Rostorfer said.
“This weekend at the state tournament, we had two young men competing at the highest level of our sport,” he said. “One finished a point from placing and one finished fourth. This is a big boost to our program. We are raising the bar for next season.”
Rostorfer said the program already has established a goal for the 2008-09 season.
“Next season we expect to have four to five state qualifiers and two placers. That is our goal next season,” Rostorfer said. “We are going to state it, post it, and work to achieve that goal. It will mean months and months of training and preparation, but in the end it will be worth it.” |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 March 2008 )
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