DeBoe twins of Mentor enjoy state meet

COLUMBUS >> Connor and Nate DeBoe are identical twins born three hours apart from each other.

On Day 1 of the state wrestling tournament on March 7 at Jerome Schottenstein Center, they were separated by one mat and 10 minutes.

The state-tournament experience didn’t go exactly how the DeBoe brothers wanted - Connor won his first match, but Nate lost two matches on Day 1 and was eliminated - but it is an experience both will treasure.

“I wanted to win state, but it is what it is,” disappointed Nate said. “But it’s been quite an experience.”

Nate (34-11) came within a smidgen of winning his tournament opener against Westerville North’s Connor Euton, a district champion, but gave up a late takedown in a 4-3 loss.

He was then eliminated with a 9-2 loss to Brecksville’s James Bronstrup.

Nate came close to getting a few nearfall points late in his match with Euton.

“I thought I did have it,” he said. “But it shouldn’t have been that close anyway.” Connor praised his brother’s persistence after finishing fifth at the Division I district the past two years.

“It was great for him to get down here after being a two-time (state) alternate,” Connor said.

Connor’s match with Marion Harding’s Mason Sparks had plenty of action. Connor got a 5-point move for the early lead, but then got cradled in the second period to even up the score.

Sparks got a little high on his pinning combination, Connor reversed him and got the pin.

Connor (22-7) will face Brecksville’s Marco Regalbuto in the quarterfinal round.

“I give up the cradle too much,” Connor said, critiquing his style. “I know how to get out of it when it happens, but I need to avoid that situation.

“I went in with a chip on my shoulder,” he continued, noting he was a No. 4 seed and Sparks was a district champion. “No one expected much of me.”

When asked about being three hours younger than Nate, Connor laughed.

“My mom says she was tired after the first (birth of Nate),” he said. “She wanted to sleep a little bit.”