WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Dierkes thrives on state title match experience

The Jackson-Milton junior was the Division III state runner-up at 140 pounds.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NORTH JACKSON -- Nick Dierkes, a junior wrestler at Jackson-Milton High, isn't happy with having his unbeaten record snapped in the state championship match in March, and said he has some unfinished business to take care of.
The 140-pound Division III state runner-up isn't sulking about what happened in the past, though. Instead, The Vindicator's wrestling performer of the year will continue to wrestle this summer.
He'll also be lifting weights and running to get in shape for football, in which he'll play linebacker and wingback for the Bluejays this fall.
"At the Convention Center in Columbus April 24, I wrestled six matches at 146 pounds and lost 2-0 to the Division II state champion, Ryan Morgan, in the title match," said Dierkes.
Dierkes is also on the Ohio all-star team, comprised of all state champions or runners-up, and he'll compete in a national tournament at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Fla., June 20-25.
Has a 98-22 career record
Dierkes posted a 26-17 record as a freshman and followed that with 31-4 and 41-1 marks. He said he'll move up to 145 pounds for the 2004-05 season and hopes to go undefeated, return to the state tournament and be an All-American at the nationals.
"I started wrestling in the second grade," said Dierkes. "It's a lot of fun. You go out there on the mat and do your own thing.
"I am always a little nervous before I wrestle anybody. But once a match is underway and I get a takedown, I feel a lot better," he said.
Dierkes said his parents are very supportive of him and that his father, Paul, attends all of his matches and football games.
"My coach [Dave Tomaino] has been there for me since the beginning. He has taught me everything about wrestling," said Dierkes. "He cares about all the guys on our team."
Dierkes also credits Jackson-Milton assistant coaches Kevin Snyder and Bill Beason. Both have taught him different styles, holds and moves.
Tomaino said Dierkes was a district qualifier as a freshman and was an alternate to the state tournament as a sophomore, when he missed qualifying by one match.
"This year, he just got on a roll and made it to the state finals undefeated," said Tomaino. "He's a hard worker willing to put in the extra time at every practice to improve."
Dierkes has a mindset in which he studies his opponents as the match progresses, the coach said.
"Against an opponent during one of his matches last season he had seven takedowns," said Tomaino. "He's a hard-nosed, tough kid who does the things we want him to do. He's a team leader that the others follow."
Dierkes, who carries a 3.0 grade point average, plans to wrestle at Penn State following high school graduation.