By: Andrew E. Gasber
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
For some reason or another of all these Ohio legends, they each seemed to have started their journey to wrestling fame at 78lbs. A lower weight nonetheless, but the amount of talent that arose from this particular weight is unmatched. In just the fourth year of the “OAC Junior High State Tournament”, we saw some of Ohio’s very best in this bracket in 2002. The difference however you might notice is that in this particular bracket and year, there is not a top eight, but yet a top six. For a period in Ohio as a whole, only the top 6 in each weight class were placed. This was the same at all levels, youth, high school, and junior high. So with that being said, see if you can recall this year and if you were there maybe you remember some of these names. The top 6 in this particular bracket are some of the best and toughest wrestlers I ever competed with.
From six through first it went as follows.
6th: Aaron Reese (Shaker Heights High School) Aaron would go on to be only a 1-time OHSAA High School State Placer finishing 5th as a sophomore. He was ranked in the years following but was unable to compete for circumstances unknown. He currently now is an MMA Fighter training at the world-renown “Jackson-Wink MMA School in New Mexico”
5th:Tony Jameson(Austintown-Fitch High School) Tony would go on to become a 4-time OHSAA High School State Champion and attended The Ohio State University where he had a shortened college career. Tony is one of the most electric and exciting wrestlers ever to come from this state. Along with his 4 State Titles, he also claimed a “Super 32 Championship”.
4th: Tyler Lambert(Stow High School) Tyler would go on to become a State Runner up “2nd” losing to Collin Palmer in the State Finals OHSAA. Placing once in high school. Tyler then went on to serve our country in the ARMY.
3rd: Jeffrey Pelton(Bellvue High School) Jeffrey would go on to become a 3-time OHSAA State Placer. Finishing in the order of 2nd,2nd, and 1st. His senior year in the finals of the State Tournament he defeated “Benjamin Jordan” of St.Paris Graham who was a 3-time OHSAA State Champion. Had Pelton not defeated Ben in the finals, Ben would have more than likely joined his father and uncle as a 4 time OHSAA State Champion. Jeffrey went on to become a National Champion for “Notre Dame College” He now is living in Las Vegas training within MMA.
2nd: Ryan Gambill(Miami East High School) Ryan would go on to become a 4-time OHSAA State Placer. Finishing in the following order, 7th,1st,1st,1st. Becoming a 3-time OHSAA State Champion. He then would attend Purdue and continue his wrestling career in college within the “Big Ten Conference”.
1st: Collin Palmer(Lakewood St.Edward) Collin would go on to become just the third ever 4-time OHSAA State Champion from St.Ed’s following in the footsteps of his eldest brother Lance and also Ryan Lang. He also won a “Super 32 Title”. Collin attended The Ohio State University where he had a short-lived career due to a back injury. Collin now is the head wrestling coach at “Columbus St.Francis Desales High School” He is also in charge of running his Wrestling Club “Collin Palmer Wrestling Club”.
This weight class alone in 2002 had a total of 12 OHSAA State Championships. That is a lot of State Titles in one bracket. Especially a bracket of 78 pounders. Just think of how much smaller these guys were back in 2002. They have all came a long way since then and the majority are still continuing to give back to this amazing sport.
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