Green lone Fitch wrestler to advance

March 4, 2016 at 12:09a.m.

By BRIAN DZENIS

COLUMBUS

Just a few seconds can decide a match in the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championships.

Austintown Fitch coach John Burd saw this scenario play out in three of his team’s four matches Thursday. He also got a taste of the twists and turns the tournament bring.

Of the four wrestlers who competed, only Adam Green (160) advanced. Andrew Fairbanks (132), Isaiah Jackson (170) and Chris Droege (195) went two-and-out.

For the 170-pound Isiah Jackson. It was just a few hours earlier that he learned he was even participating in the tournament.

The top-seed in Jackson’s class, Uniontown’s Andrew McNally, was ruled ineligible due to a skin condition. Jackson took his spot as an alternate.

“I was super happy, I thought my season was over a week ago,” Jackson said.

Jackson squared off with Grafton Midview’s Alec Forrer. The Falcons’ grappler trailed for most of the match, but hung around. In the final 10 seconds of the third period, Jackson scored a two-point takedown against Forrer to take a 10-9 lead. If Jackson could have held Forrer down for a few more seconds, he’d have advanced.

Instead, Forrer escaped to tie the match. Jackson later lost, 12-10, in overtime. Jackson was eliminated later after dropping a 6-0 decision to Cincinnati La Salle’s Michael Baker.

“I made a dumb mistake and I locked hands,” Jackson said. “I should have won.”

Fairbanks let his match with Lakewood St. Edward’s Sam Dover get away from him in the third period. The pair entered the final period tied at 2. Fairbanks was wrestling in his preferred spot, the bottom position, but conceded four points late to lose 6-2. Fairbanks was eliminated after getting pinned by Powell’s Connor Brady.

In his state tournament debut, Droege was knocked out by reigning state champ Ben Darmstatdt from Elyria in 19 seconds. Another pin from Archbishop Moeller’s Trevor Hankins ended his season.

Green stayed in control for most of his match against Delaware Hayes’ Max Wright. He got the 4-2 win, but nearly conceded a reversal to tie the match in the closing seconds.

“It was kind of tight, but he held on and did a great job,” Burd said.