After capturing the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II state championship last year, the target was firmly on Streetsboro Rockets’ junior Jarreau Walker’s back. The reigning Division II 106-pound champion once again captured a title, this time winning the 113-pound weight class with a 4-0 record last weekend at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center.
“Once you get that target on your back, they come after you because they have nothing to lose and everything to gain,’ said Coach Mark Skonieczny. “We knew we had our hands full, so it meant a lot to beat a good quality guy in the finals.”
The Rockets’ junior became just the second wrestler in school history to become a two-time state champion, as Joe Boardwine achieved that milestone in 1992 and 1993.
Walker clinched his second consecutive state championship by winning 4-3 against Akron St. Vincent-St Mary freshman Nolan DeShon in a re-match just one week removed from a district championship bout Walker won 6-4 at the OHSAA Division II Kenston district.
“He is one of the toughest kids in Division II I know,” Walker noted. “Him and I go at it a lot. He’s definitely going to get one at some point in his career.”
In the championship bout, Walker took an early lead when he scored a three-point takedown at the beginning of the first period.
The takedown was the only offensive points that Walker scored, as DeShon stayed aggressive in the match and attempted to return the favor. It became a defensive battle, as each wrestler left very little room to be caught by surprise.
DeShon was awarded one point in the first period after a stalling violation was called on Wallker, but he pushed the lead to 4-1 by scoring on an escape in the second period.
Despite DeShon scoring two more points as a result of two more stalling penalties being issued to Walker, he remained upright throughout most of the match and claimed the 4-3 victory.
In a re-match between two dynamic scorers, Walker’s defense was strong, surrendering no offensive points.
“I work out with bigger guys,” Walker noted. “Bigger guys shoot harder and quicker and more explosive. I’ve learned how to lock them down and move my feet to the corners and not get out of bounds and just work my angles.”
On Friday, Walker’s return to the state meet started off on a high note as he dominated his first-round match by defeating senior Ethan Lewis from Roger Bacon by a 18-1 technical fall.
On Saturday, Walker demonstrated his defensive skills by shutting out senior Vincent Martiah from Columbus Bishop Hartey 7-0. Later in the evening, Walker clinched a championship berth when he defeated Sheridan senior Cash Owen by a 11-3 major decision.
The third-year coach acknowledged that Walker is often overlooked for his reliable defense, as it proved to be the deciding factor his in his victory against DeShon.
“He has got those quick feet and those quick hips,” added Skonieczny. “He is hard to wrestle and is hard to score on. His offense and his defense are about equal.”
With another state championship under his belt, Walker has his eyes set on capturing another state title in his senior year to become the first three-time state champion in school history.
In addition to Walker earning his second consecutive Division II state title, freshmen 175-pounder Avery Conroy took sixth place in his state debut with a 2-3 record, making him the first freshman in school history to place at the state meet.
“That is so sweet for me,” Conroy said. “I have beaten my expectations and I have beaten others’ expectations by miles. I have no stress and I can come into matches knowing I made it this far.”
On Friday, Conroy demonstrated his endurance and defense, surviving a gritty first round bout against Groshen junior Gage Croley, winning by a 1-0 decision.
Conroy returned to action on Saturday and dueled in another high-leverage match, edging junior Landon Crosier from Steubenville 4-3 in a tiebreaker to clinch a state placement.
“It is amazing,” said Skonieczny. “He is only the second freshman to qualify. He was fine in his first two matches. Avery did an outstanding job for us; we are very proud of him.”
Later in the evening, Conroy’s bid for a championship berth was foiled by Benjamin Logan junior Ethan Carpenter, who defeated him by a 22-2 technical fall.
On Sunday, Conroy dueled against senior Ian Bee from Tallmadge in the consolation semifinal, a re-match of the OHSAA Division II district championship match, and once again lost, this time being pinned with 35 seconds remaining in the second period.
The Rockets’ freshman lost his third straight match in the fifth-place championship bout, surrendering a last-second escape and takedown against Wapakoneta senior Wyatt Buell to lose by an 8-7 decision.
The Rockets’ last state qualifier, junior 106-pounder Johnny Bollinger, went 0-2 in his state debut, being pinned by freshman Jordan Bates of Beaver only 30 seconds into the second period and lost by an 11-4 decision against Shelby freshman Sebastian Cain in the first round of the consolation bracket.
“It is a big moment to take in,” Bollinger said. “It felt amazing, and I was happy I got to represent my team. Wrestling in this tournament meant the world to me and wrestling in this tournament showed me I have much more I can improve upon, and I will be back down next year.”
