Jameson joins wrestling’s elite

The Fitch senior became only the 16th wrestler to win four state crowns.

By ERIC HAMILTON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — After winning in Friday night’s semifinals and clinching a spot in the 145-pound state championship wrestling match, Fitch High’s Tony Jameson went back to his hotel room a little wounded.

He had a sore right shoulder and a few bumps and bruises, but maybe what was hurting him most was his pride.

The three-time state champion was about 24 hours away from an opportunity to make Ohio high school wrestling history and he didn’t seem very excited about it.

He wasn’t pleased with his performance in his first three state tournament matches and although he won, it wasn’t as convincingly as he’s grown used to during his stellar career.

But when Saturday night finally came around and Jameson had history staring him square in the face, he did what he’s always done at the state tournament — he won.

Jameson became just the 16th high school wrestler in state tournament history to win four state titles when he defeated Tecumseh’s T.J. Rigel 8-4 in the title bout at the Schottenstein Center. The senior now owns championships at 103, 119, 135 and 145 pounds.

“I’m ecstatic,” Jameson said. “He was beating me for half the match and I had to come back, but that’s how I live, you know? There was pressure I put on myself and this was about me tonight— as much as I could make it. The match was perfect.”

Jameson trailed 4-2 heading into the third period, but after a stalling call on Rigel closed the gap to 4-3, Jameson hit a reversal to go ahead 5-4 with 1:33 left. He sealed the deal in the final minute with a cradle and a near fall to pull ahead 8-4.

“He came right at me and that was good,” Jameson said. “With 30 seconds left, my arms were getting tired trying to hold the cradle.”

Rigel went to his corner for blood time with 57 seconds left and the official asked Jameson if he wanted to go to his corner, but he declined. He stood in the center of the mat waiting and reflecting.

“I was just thinking that I only have one minute left in high school,” Jameson said. “I was thinking about how I wanted it to end. I wanted it to end just like that.”

After time expired, Jameson shook hands with his opponent and the opposing coaches, then jumped into the arms of Coach Brett Powell, who carried him off the mat. He then grabbed an Ohio State flag and took a victory lap around the mat waving it in celebration.

With that, Jameson received a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 15,000. A crowd that had booed after his match on Thursday, thinking he had been pinned, was now giving him his due and recognizing his place in history.

“That was cool, but it’s hard to say it was awesome, because they gave me a ‘standing boo’ on Thursday,” Jameson said. “But it was nice to hear the crowd and even better when they went crazy when I got the flag out.”

After his celebration, Jameson jogged over to the stands where his family and friends were sitting and jumped into the arms of his father Ken. When the awards were presented for the 145-pound weight class, Tony’s dad was given the honor of presenting them.

When it was Tony’s turn to receive his medal, the two bumped fists and his dad crowned Tony the champion — the four-time champion.

And he got another standing ovation.

Jameson’s name and picture will now be added to the collection of four-time champions. The pictures hang in the tunnel where wrestlers exit on their way to the floor. He feels honored to be in such a select group.

“Those guys are just on another level,” Jameson said. “I’ve met a lot of those guys and now to be one of them is great.”

Jameson, who will return to Ohio State next year as a member of the Buckeyes’ wrestling team, finished his senior season 44-2 and his career with a mark of 168-6. He was a perfect 16-0 in the state tournament.