St. Marys Memorial’s Tate Hisey wins the State title on Sunday at the OHSAA State Tournament at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center. Jackelyn Johnson I The Lima News
The official raises St. Marys’ Tate Hisey’s hand to signify his victory in the Division II 126-pound weight class in the state wrestling tournament on Sunday in Columbus.
COLUMBUS – When St. Marys’ Tate Hisey placed fourth at last year’s Division II wrestling state tournament in the 113-pound weight class, he immediately started the countdown for this year’s state tournament.
Hisey was determined to return to this year’s state tournament and win a state title.
In Sunday’s finals at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center, Hisey, a junior, won the elusive Division II state title as he competed in the 126-pound weight class.
In Sunday’s championship match, Hisey (45-2) pinned Indian Valley’s Leroy Steagall midway through the second period.
Hisey is the first wrestler in St. Marys school history to win a state title.
“It motivated me every day. The second I lost my semis (last year’s state semifinal match) and then my finals for third, I started a calendar on my phone,” Hisey said. “It’s ticked down every day. I would wake up and check my phone every day. Every day would be a day closer. So that just lit a fire under me to work harder, so I can achieve that goal (to be a state champion).”
Hisey said he seized the opportunity that Steagall gave him in Sunday’s championship match.
“When I got that opportunity (to go for the pin), I knew I was not going to let it go,” Hisey said. “I thought I could have done better on my feet. Even though I got down a point and didn’t score (early on), I knew my technique was smoother. I knew my gas tank was better. I felt confident going into that second (period). When he gave me that opportunity to put it away, I took it.”
Longtime St. Marys coach Larry Gruber said that Hisey’s performance will leave a mark on the younger wrestlers at St. Marys.
“At the moment, the feelings are hard to describe. You’re just so happy for him,” Gruber said. “I just told him that it’s something that younger kids will look up to you for.”
Hisey was overwhelmed by emotions after winning the state title.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “It feels like that everything I have done has led to this moment and it has paid off. I don’t know if it has set in yet, but I just want to get to my parents and give them a hug, and tell everyone, ‘Thanks for coming’.”
St. Marys junior Bo Hertenstein competed for the Division II state title at 150 pounds on Sunday. He faced Steubenville’s Brody Saccoccia. Saccoccia (50-3), a junior, came into the state tournament as a two-time state placer.
Hertenstein (40-4) lost to Saccoccia in Sunday’s championship match, 13-9.
“I made one mistake. I had him in a cradle, and he walked out of it. That’s what can cost you in the state tournament – one mistake,” a deflated Hertenstein said after his tough loss in the finals.
Before this year’s state tournament, St. Marys had never had a wrestler compete in a state championship match. Now, the St. Marys program has two state finalists, including one state champion.
“I knew I could do it. I’m not surprised. I put in the work,” Hertenstein said about his accomplishment.
Wapakoneta’s Knous finishes runner-up
Wapakoneta senior Jace Knous knew what was in front of him. And he realized that it was a tall task.
In Sunday’s Division II championship match in the 215-pound weight class, Knous went up against the defending Division II state champion at 215, Columbus DeSales’ Max Shulaw.
This weekend, Shulaw bulldozed his way through the first three matches, recording three pins with two of those pins taking less than 30 seconds.
In Sunday’s state title match, Knous got through the first period unscathed. However, in the second period Shulaw (49-1) managed to put Knous on his back for the pin.
Knous finished his senior campaign with a record of 34-4. Three of Knous’ losses this season came at the hands of Shulaw.
“He’s a really, really tough kid,” Knous said about Shulaw. “He’s a D-I (college) athlete and a big guy. I tried to battle as best as I could.”
Knous placed seventh in the 190-pound weight class at last year’s Division II state tournament. He was a state alternate his sophomore year.
“I knew I wanted to do way better this year. That was the goal,” Knous said. “My goal was really top three. Obviously, a state championship is what you want, but you are right up there with the big dogs (as a state runner-up).
“It (making it to the finals) was the difference in the work that I did from last year to this year. I just want to thank all the coaches, my family, friends, guys who came in to help (at practice) and God.”
Longtime Wapakoneta coach Jason Rostorfer said that Knous will be a huge loss for the program.
“You can’t replace him. He wrestled a great tournament. We can’t be any prouder of him,” Rostorfer said. “He always went out there and scored a lot of points for us. He got a lot of wins for us. Some guys that would have had a football injury (knee) like he had, might not have made it back. He has to be proud of himself. He did something that not many guys get a chance to experience. He was an alternate his sophomore year. He was seventh last year, so the progression has been steady.”
