COLUMBUS – Elmwood’s Nick Goebel was after his second state championship in the finals against Tyler
Heminger of Galion Northmor Saturday.
However, Heminger pinned Goebel in 2:23 and the Elmwood senior finished second.
Goebel had a near takedown at the edge early in the first period, but did score with a snap down go
behind with 20 seconds remaining in the period.
Goebel escaped immediately in the second period and led 3-0.
Heminger then tied up his arms and tossed him to his back for the pin.
“That bundle that’s what he (Heminger) wanted,” said Elmwood coach Dave Lee. “He’s a tough kid and he
took advantage of something that really paid off for him. It was not a mistake by Nick just a good move
by a good kid.
“He (Heminger) had to go for it. We thought if we would take him down we would win it. We felt we could
hold him down in third. When Nick was on his back I thought he we still get out and win. We never
counted on a fall. It was the first time Nick was pinned in three years. As far as Elmwood goes, he is
the best ever."
Goebel ends the season at 37-5. The senior has earned in his career three state places — first as a
sophomore, third last season and second this year. He also has 176 career wins.
In the consolation Wood County was represented with fifths from Ben Timmons (119) from Lakota and Dalton
Ishmael (189) of North Baltimore along with Jake Baker (215) of Elmwood placing sixth all in Division
III
D.J.Recknagel of Rossford finished eighth in Division II.
Timmons faced Vinnie Pizzzuto of Jackson-Milton. Timmons trailed 4-2 after the second period and a got
bundled up in a cradle for three more. He scored a reversal but lost 7-4.
“I was down by two. I got put in that cradle and it was hard to comeback,” said Timmons.
In the placement match with Dalton Hiltibran of Mechanicsburg he trailed 4-2, but in the second period he
escaped and scored a takedown. From there he outscored Hiltibran 12-2 and finished fifth with a 15-7
decision
“He got out the first time I tried the tilt, but after my reversal later I grabbed it. I don’t know how
may nearfalls I had,” said the Lakota junior. “I’m looking forward to next year coming back.”
Timmons ends his junior season at 40-5.
Ishmael drew Phil Wellingon of St.Joseph in the consolation semifinals. Wellington was too much for the
NB sophomore and pinned him in 2:58.
“He was really strong and fast, I hit an ankle pick on him. One of the best I hit all year, Ishmael said
of Wellington.
In the placement round, Ishmael defeated Mitchell Gross 1-0 for fifth.
“That was the first match that I went the entire period the entire weekend,” said Ishmael. “He put me out
last year from going on the state tournament. This was a redemption year for me.”
He finishes his sophomore season at 47-3
Baker dropped a tight 3-2 match with Ben Moser of Bluffton. Baker had defeated Moser in the semifinlas at
the district. Moser had a 3-0 lead after two periods. Baker escaped and drew a stalling point against
Moser. He almost scored a takedown with 15 seconds, but it wasn’t enough.
Baker then faced Travis Drumm of Heath for fifth place. Drumm controlled the match and won 6-0.
“I faced Drumm last year he teched me in the second period,” said Baker. “I wanted to do better, but
sixth is still good I guess. It will keep my expectations high for next year.”
Baker closes out at 37-9
Recknagel took an early 5-1 led on a take and nearfall versus Josh Lehner of Lexington in the seventh
place match, but with just seconds remaining Lehner
took him to his back in a cradle and tied the match. Lehner scored a takedown in overtime and won 7-5 in
sudden victory.
“That was his first takedown the whole tournament,” said coach Ron Recknagel. “I was really hoping we
could pin him in the first period.”
He ends his senior year at 41-4.
Perrysburg wrestler Nick Hyndman who was born with Cerebral Palsy and his family were invited to the
state tournament as guests of the OHSAA He was featured in a article by the Sentinel-Tribune. He will be
featured in the OHSAA magazine in May.
