Mellott competes at state tourney
MARENGO — This past weekend, 672 high school wrestlers across the state gathered in three gymnasiums around the Columbus area with the goal of finishing as a state placer. Most come in with the confidence that they can can achieve their goal, sporting 25, 30, even over 40 wins under their belt, but only half reach that goal of finishing in the top of eight of their division and weight class. The other 336 wrestlers head home deeply disappointed. Unfortunately, Wapakoneta’s Colin Mellott was among that number.
The hard working Redskin senior qualified for the state tournament at the Division II tournament, which was hosted by Highland HS, for the third time in his career. It marked only the fifth time in Wapakoneta wrestling history that a grappler had qualified for the state tournament three times.
“He spent his freshman year living in Dayton, then his family moved back to Wapakoneta and I’m glad they did,” said Wapakoneta head coach Jason Rostorfer. “Colin is one of those kids that we’re very fortunate to have around, just like others on the team. It’s a good group of guys that works hard and listens.”
Mellott, wrestling at 113 pounds, finished third last weekend at the district tournament. In the opening round at state, he took on Reece Chapman of Jonathan Alder, who was runner-up at the Wilmington district.
After a scoreless first two minutes, Mellott was able to pull a reverse in the second to lead 2-0. The third period began with both wrestlers on their feet. The Redskin gave himself some breathing room with a two point takedown and came away with the 4-0 win to advance to the championship quarterfinals.
It was a bit of bad luck that he then had to take on an undefeated (36-0) champion of the Perry district, Marion Yarbrough of Copley, and it was obvious how and why he hadn’t lost all year. Yarbrough’s combination of quickness and strength was just too much for Mellott to overcome and he lost by pin at the 1:20 mark of the match. Yarbrough went on to win the 113 pound state championship with a 15-9 decision on Sunday.
That dropped him to the consolation round two match against Josh Carman of Carrollton. This was the key match of the day. A win and the worse he could do is finish eighth, and a place on the awards podium. A loss and his tournament was over.
After Carman recorded a takedown in the first period to take a 2-0 lead, it was death by a thousand cuts in
the second for the Redskin. He escaped early in the period to narrow the margin to 2-1, but his opponent scored another takedown and added three near fall points to go up 7-1.
Another escape by Mellott was followed by yet another takedown from Carman and it was 9-2 as the third period opened.
Carman escaped in the third stanza to up the count to 10-2 and as the time was running out, Mellott had to go to the catch and release ploy to try and make up the points. A takedown and release (11-4), a takedown and release (12-6), but Carman kept buying time between takedowns running the clock down.
The Redskin scored his eighth point with just seconds left and it was obvious that the die had been cast on the match. He released his grasp that allowed the official to award two meaningless points at the buzzer for Carman, who advanced with the 14-8 win.
“It was a very difficult tournament with tough competition,” commented Rostorfer. “All I could think of in my mind was that this kid has worked so hard for this moment, this opportunity, but because of COVID he couldn’t wrestle last year. I kept thinking he’s done everything right and because of his hard work earned this trip to state.”
Despite the disappointing end to his high school career, Mellott can hopefully look back in the years to come and appreciate the excellence he has shown in his three year career where he recorded over 100 wins. He finished the year with an outstanding 37-4 record with 13 pins. He won the 106 pound Western Buckeye League championship twice (2019 and 2020), and finished second at 113 this year. He won two sectional championships. One this year and one last year, plus a second place finish as a sophomore in 2019. At the district competition he finished third this year, second last year, but couldn’t wrestle at state because the tournament had been cancelled, and fourth place in 2019.
“He’s just a driven, motivated, goal oriented young man,” reflected the Redskin mentor about Mellott who is going to be wrestling just up the road at Ohio Northern University next year. “It’s been a pleasure having him in the program. He does everything that you’d expect a wrestler that is going to be successful to do.”
Two other WBL wrestlers were also in action at the state competition. Tyler Hisey of St. Marys finished third at 106 pounds, and Landon Engle of Celina won a match in the 126 pound division, but did not place.
The four other wrestlers that have been to the state competition three times for Wapakoneta include; Brent Miller (’98-’99-2000), Logan Erb (’08-’10-’11), John Martin (’11-’12’13), and Landon Hall (’15-’16-’17). The last state placers were Brenen Knueve (5th) and Trevor Plaugher, (7th) both in 2019.
Miller (2000), Erb (2010) and Hall (2017) all won one state title apiece.