State Wrestling: Crestview's Cunningham wins state title, Mapleton's Durbin goes runner-up
COLUMBUS − The OHSAA State Wresting Tournament took place this weekend in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center and here were the main talking points involving Ashland County wrestlers.
Crestview's Caleb Cunningham wins state title
Right around this time last year, Crestview's Caleb Cunningham medaled and finished eighth at the state meet in the 215-pound division. Fast forward to 2024, and Cunningham rose all the way up to the top spot and is now in the winners circle.
More: Two of a kind: Crestview’s top-ranked heavyweight has former No. 1 for drill partner
He moved up 70 pounds up to the 285-pound weight class, where the 6-foot-5 senior captured the state title in Division III with a first-period pin against Harrison Central's Landen Thomas. All four of his wins this year at state were by pin.
"It feels great," said Cunningham, who is a three-time state qualifier. "I thought I could've got better than eighth last year. I was just happy with placing. This year I bumped up to 285 and throughout the season, I got my mind on competing for a state title."
For a large portion of this season, Cunningham (43-3 record this season) was ranked as the No. 1 heavyweight in Division III, according to Borofanohio.net, and a big difference this year was the belief factor.
"Confidence," Cunningham said. "I know for sure my confidence wasn't the best last year."
Cunningham then dived into his thought process in the first period.
"I was in on the leg and then I think it was the second shot that had it finished," he explained. "I was like, 'OK, I got the guy on neutral at least.'"
Cunningham's senior year was really something (career 209-30 record with 68 pins) as he won the prestigious JC Gorman title, Jesse Campbell Memorial duals, Lima Central Catholic Championship, became a three-time Firelands Conference champion, and won sectional and district titles. But being called a state champion, especially to close out his high school career, is something that will hold dear to him for sometime.
"I'll never forget it," Cunningham said. "That's something that sticks with you."
Mapleton's Brock Durbin finishes as state runner-up
Mapleton's Brock Durbin has had winning a state title on his mind since he entered high school.
The senior come into this year's state wrestling meet as a four-time state qualifier and was a state runner-up last season in the 126 pound division, losing to Legacy Christian's Dillon Campbell, who became a four-time state champion on Sunday. He made the move up three weight classes this season and found himself in another state final on Sunday.
More: After his brother's success, Mapleton's Brock Durbin is creating his own wrestling legacy
It was a state final matchup worthy of everyone's attention, as Durbin, the No. 2 144-pounder in Division III, went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 ranked 144-pounder in Archbold's Brodie Dominique, the defending state champion. Unfortunately, Dominque (56-1) got the better of Durbin (46-2) by a 3-0 decision in a close match all the way through to repeat as champion.
"Yeah, I knew he had a strong underhook," said Durbin, after receiving his second career state runner-up medal. "Everything just slowed down. I didn't dictate the pace, and he did."
From the onset, Dominque, who will be wrestling at Michigan State next season, matched Durbin in strength working on the top, which is an area that he usually overpowers his opposition in.
"He was definitely very good on top," said the Ashland University commit. "I already knew that going into the match he was going to be good there. I was hoping to get a couple of takedowns or get one in the beginning and go from there."
An early takedown by Dominque in the first period put him up 2-0 and he held on after that for the victory.
Heading into Sunday's state final, Durbin was having one heck of a season.
He won seven tournaments − including JC Gorman and the Firelands Conference for a third time − and was named MVW (Most Valuable Wrestler) at five different tournaments. Yet, while Durbin expressed disappointment in not being able to obtain the one thing he wanted to accomplish the most in his high school athletic career, he tried to put the defeat in perspective.
"It's sad to think about it. To end my high school career on a loss but I gotta be grateful," Durbin said. "There are some other kids that don't get to end up in this position."
Other wrestlers who placed in the top eight from Ashland County:
Ashland's Mason Bauer, Division I, 5th place, 106 pounds, 47-5 record
jsimpson@gannett.com
Twitter:@JamesSimpson II
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Crestview's Cunningham wins OHSAA 285-pound state title
