Sunday, March 12, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com

Some celebrations are a release of emotion. Take DeSales senior David McClelland, a 138-pounder, who took home a title for the second consecutive season at the state wrestling tournament on March 12 at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.

McClelland, who also won a Division II title at 132 last year, did a version of Randy Orton’s finishing move, the RKO, to a coach before running off and leaping into the stands to share the moment with friends in family.

“I was going for it,” he said. “I don’t think I got even half, though.”

Olentangy Liberty’s Dylan Russo was more subdued, holding up three fingers on both arms as his arm was raised for the third time in Division I. Russo defeated Brecksview-Broadview Heights senior Max Vanadia by a 7-0 decision.

Russo, who won titles at 215 last year and 220 as a sophomore, is the most accomplished in a long line of Patriots, who have had at least one state champion in eight consecutive seasons.

“Obviously, I love being a three-time state champion,” he said. “I try to set a standard for all the guys in the room. I show them what I’ve been doing and what’s been working for me. It’s the character you have off the mat that helps you on the mat.”

The tournament was a banner day for the Central Catholic League, which won five titles and had two more second-place finishers with the highlight coming at 175 where Hartley senior Dylan Newsome defeated DeSales sophomore Lincoln Shulaw by a 6-3 decision to become the program’s first state champion.

“I wouldn’t want to do it for any other school,” Newsome said. “It was my goal coming in freshman year. Lincoln is a really good opponent – I’ve wrestled him six times, probably. So, I knew it was going to a good match. I tried to stay cool. The thought of being the first state champion wasn’t in my head. I just went out there and did what I do best and the outcome turned out to be good.”

Max Shulaw (215) also took home a title for the Stallions, who finished second out of 83 scoring teams with 120.5 points behind champion St. Paris Graham Local (157).

The Watterson duo of freshman Joe Curry (120) and Mitchell Younger (144) also took home titles. Younger won his second at 144, helping the Eagles to a fourth-place finish (81.5)

Sophomore Aiden King (126) finished second for the Hawks (65.5), who finished sixth.

Despite a difficult first day, according to coach Chance Van Gundy, Dublin Coffman finished with two champions in junior Omar Ayoub (138) and junior Ethan Birden.

While it was Ayoub’s second title after winning at 126 last season, Birden won his first, crediting his father (Ethan Birden) and uncle (Cornell Birden) for mentoring him to this point.

“I just kept on wrestling through the ups and downs,” Birden said. “I stayed a lot after every practice … just being mentally in the game, not just being physically there.”

The Shamrocks took sixth (71) and the Patriots were seventh (66) out of 69 scoring teams behind champion Lakewood St. Edward (195.5).

Teays Valley senior Camden McDanel (190) won his first championship after finishing as a runner-up in each of the last two seasons.

In Division II, Circleville senior Trentt Fulgham (heavyweight) also won his first title.