COLUMBUS – It has been on Eli Criblez’s mind for two years.
Two seasons ago, the Allen East heavyweight finished runner-up at the Division III state wrestling tournament in the 285-pound weight class.
Last season, Criblez placed fourth at the state tournament at 285.
This weekend at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament, the two-time state placer finally captured his elusive state title.
Sunday night, Criblez put a stamp on his illustrious high school wrestling career with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over United’s Dallas McCracken (48-8) in front of a near-capacity crowd at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center.
Criblez (49-1) becomes the first state champion wrestler in school history.
“Finally, I did it,” an emotional Criblez said. “I’m on top of the world. I just can’t wait for whatever comes next for me.
“Now, I set a standard for everybody else – strive to be at the top. … They got to want it. I remember the many hours of staying in the gym late at night, putting in the work. I’m super happy right now.”
Longtime Allen East head coach Mike Abbey said it has been a long wait for his program to get a state champion.
“It’s awesome. I’ve waited 24 years here at Allen East for this. We have had a lot of state qualifiers and a few placers, too. But this is the first one to be on the top step (of the awards podium).”
However, Criblez’s path to Sunday’s championship match wasn’t an easy one.
In Saturday’s quarterfinal match, Criblez ran into a buzz-saw in Liberty Center senior Owen Box.
Criblez managed to come away with a hard-fought 3-2 ultimate-tiebreaker victory over last year’s fifth-place finisher at 285.
In Sunday’s championship match with McCracken, Criblez said he went through a series of emotions during the latter part of the match.
“I was freaking out, because I don’t know how I got that second stall call. But it is what it is. I kept circling, kept pedaling and kept going after it. I’m just so thankful for who all came today to support me through everything. It’s amazing,” Criblez said.
Abbey pointed to Criblez’s dedication after last season’s fourth-place finish at the state tournament, as the key to this season’s success.
“Eli has worked so hard,” Abbey said. “After last season, we went to Virginia Beach. He was determined to place at the junior nationals; and he did that out there. He’s been working really hard to be a leader in my (wrestling) room. He had a target on his back all season. He was ranked No. 1 all season. It was just a great way to end it.”
At the end of his state title match Sunday night, to celebrate his historic win, Criblez tossed Allen East assistant coach Tyler Copeland onto the mat.
“He just wanted me to double under him, so he could reach down and throw me. (It was) a beautiful throw,” Copeland said with a smile.
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Mark Altstaetter wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
