Freshman Phenom Moos Advances to State Championship Final
The dream freshman season for Elyria Catholic’s Grady Moos is still very much alive. The Panthers’ 106-pounder secured his spot in the state championship match on March 15th with a dramatic victory over Beaver Local’s Jordan Bates. Moos clinched the win with a crucial reversal in the final seconds, capping off a flurry of late scoring to emerge victorious with a 10-9 decision.
“I just got through it and stayed tough the whole time,” Moos commented after the match, reflecting on his mindset. “I envisioned it all year, beating these guys. He wanted me to go upper body with him, but I wrestled smart.”
The freshman needed every ounce of his grit and mental fortitude to overcome a match that saw multiple lead changes in the decisive third period. “It was all those tough goes at practice,” Moos explained. “We do short goes like that all the time, and I’ve got great partners. I envision that moment so often. When you’re down by one in a huge match like that, you’ve got to get up, and I just did.”
Moos’s path to the semifinals was equally impressive. He secured his place with a second-round pin of Bishop Watterson’s Sid Hunt. “It was just my chain wrestling,” Moos said. “I was able to keep wrestling in tough positions, and I stayed calm the whole time and got the pin.”
Avon’s Englehart Aims for Historic State Title
Joining Moos in the pursuit of a state championship is Avon’s Eian Englehart. The Eagles’ standout wrestler defeated Brecksville’s EJ German with an 11-5 scoreline, positioning himself to become Avon’s first-ever state wrestling champion.
“I’m just extremely grateful to be representing my school,” Englehart stated. “I love my school, my community, my wrestling program, and my coaches.”
Englehart and German were engaged in a tightly contested bout until a pivotal takedown by Englehart in the closing moments of the second period gave him a crucial 8-4 advantage. He then skillfully managed the lead to secure the victory in the third.
“We’ve been preparing for a match like that all week,” Englehart shared. “And my coaches were right about everything. A lot of his matches were one-score matches, and I didn’t want to put myself in that position where anything can happen at any moment.”
Englehart’s journey to the semifinals was marked by dominance. He showcased his skill in the quarterfinals with an impressive 11-0 victory over Normandy’s James Moore.
“I’m just sticking with my game plan and wrestling my match,” Englehart emphasized. “I’m not letting them dictate the pace for what’s happening, and getting to my moves and my shots.”
Columbia’s Semifinalists Face Tough Losses
Columbia saw two of its wrestlers, Bodey Gibbs and Michael Frye, reach the semifinal round but ultimately fall in heartbreaking fashion.
Gibbs’s match went into overtime against Graham Local’s Cooper Breslin. Despite a strong effort, he was ultimately taken down with approximately 20 seconds left in the overtime period, resulting in a loss.
Frye also experienced a devastating defeat, giving up a takedown to Trinity’s Derion Williams with just one second remaining in the third period, losing a close contest 5-4.
Prior to their semifinal bouts, Gibbs demonstrated remarkable consistency. He secured a dominant 5-0 victory in his quarterfinal match against Tinora’s Jaxten DeWeese, marking his second consecutive shutout to open the state tournament. “It was just a gritty win,” Gibbs said. “I just trusted in my warmup, trusted in my coaches and all my efforts throughout the season, and trusted in what I do.”
In his quarterfinal match, Frye was on the winning end of a dramatic finish. He managed to hold on to a slim 7-6 lead for the final 90 seconds against Allen East’s Langston McClain.
“It just comes down to, you either advance, or you go to the backside,” Frye reflected on the pressure of his quarterfinal. “And I didn’t want to go to the backside.”
Lorain’s Otero’s Tournament Run Ends in Semifinals
Lorain’s DJ Otero also saw his semifinal hopes dashed, falling 8-0 to Perrysburg’s Collin Bagdonas. Otero had advanced to the semifinals following a hard-fought 4-3 ultimate tiebreaker victory over Louisville’s Emilio Rodriguez in the quarterfinals.
“We train for extra time, and we work our butts off all year just so we can make it to that last period,” Otero commented on his preparation for close matches. “Even if it’s seven, eight, 10 minutes, I was prepared and in good shape.”
