Push to the top
Coff man’s Demas, Liberty’s Mead win titles after past state losses
Dublin Coffman senior Dom Demas spent Saturday afternoon watching “The Hangover,” which has a running time of 1 hour, 48 minutes — or about 8,700 hours shorter than the sober but sick feeling Demas had to sit through since last March 14.
On that day, Demas failed to repeat as a state champion. After winning a title as a sophomore in 2015, he finished runner-up last year, thus the queasy stomach.
“Especially doing worse than I did the year before? The feeling was awful," he said.
Then came Saturday night at the state wrestling tournament at Value City Arena, where Demas found the tonic for his ills by pinning Trey Grenier of Olentangy Liberty in the 145-pound weight class to collect his second title in three years.
“I’m ecstatic. It feels great to be back on top, especially after last year’s loss,” said Demas, who has signed to wrestle at Oklahoma. “Losing last year motivated me to work 10 times harder.”
Brakan Mead lost last year, too. And the year before that. The Liberty senior placed second as a sophomore and third as a junior, and was fed up with coming up short. He changed that in a big way Saturday by scoring a 2-0 decision against Bryce Hepner from Lakewood St. Edward’s in the championship match at 113 pounds, helping the Patriots secure third place in Division I for the second straight year.
“I wanted that win for three years,” Mead said. “But it’s not like it’s just me. I’m backed by the community and an amazing coaching staff. It’s a pyramid. I’m at the top but below that is so much. I know when I go out there it’s a family.”
Liberty coach Mark Marinelli was thrilled for his senior, who he described as a “wrestling junkie.” Dom Demas of Dublin Coffman celebrates after beating Trey Grenier of Olentangy Liberty in the 145-pound final for his second title in three years.
“He’s lived the journey and paid the price,” Marinelli said. “I’m so happy he won it.”
The Central District picked up a third state champion when Circleville junior Nate Keaton (113) scored a tight 1-0 win against Dominic
Carone of Streetsboro.
“He was definitely ready for this weekend,” said his uncle, Circleville coach Brad Keaton.
Central Ohio also experienced some painful losses, including Central Crossing junior Jaden Mattox,
who dropped a 7-1 decision to David Carr of Massillon Perry at 152. Mattox was trying to win his second consecutive title, having won at 132 last year. Now comes the same path Demas faced.
“I would say to (Mattox), ‘Remember this moment, because it’s the worst feeling ever,’ ” Demas said.
But winning is the best, he added.
After pinning Grenier 30 seconds into the second period, Demas ran to the stands to celebrate with his family.
“I gave my mom a big hug,” he said. “She had tears, like she did last year. They’re just a different kind of tears this time.”
Davidson junior Gio DiSabato (120) suffered a tough 5-4 loss when Elyria’s Brendon Fenton scored a takedown with 42 seconds left. DiSabato was attempting to win the 17th state championship for the DiSabato family, a fixture in the Columbus wrestling community.
Coffman missed out on a second champion when Ben Frye (285) dropped a 5-2 decision to Kevin Vough of Elyria.
Lakewood St. Edward’s won its 31st Division I team title, while St. Paris Graham easily walked away with its 17th consecutive championship, and 19th overall, in Division II. Mechanicsburg collected the Division III crown, highlighted by senior Kaleb Romero (170) becoming the 29th wrestler in Ohio High School Athletic Association history to win four titles. Romero, who has committed to Ohio State, led the crowd in an O-H-IO cheer after pinning Brett Vonderwall of Delphos St. John’s 52 seconds into the Division III match. His fouryear prep record is 202-3.