Legends Of The OAC !

2004 78lbs By: Andrew E. Gasber

If you happen to be from the great state of Ohio, then you understand that here in this state we are home to some of the countries greatest wrestlers within the history of the sport, some even the best within the world! The OAC is a committee organization that has been around creating one of the greatest Youth and Junior High-level wrestling tournaments since 1999. The level of professionalism that goes into these venues is of the highest quality, right up there with events like the OHSAA State tournament as well as events like Fargo. Over the years there have been some amazing wrestlers that have come through this tournament. Some have gone on to compete on the US Men’s National Team later in life. Some have won multiple high school state titles and even NCAA championships. Let’s take a look back at some of the weights that in many folk’s opinions are the toughest brackets ever assembled in the OAC Junior High State Championships! The first weight we are going to cover is at a lighter weight, 78 pounds. Let’s just say that if you placed in this bracket in 2004 your wrestling career looked pretty bright. Check out the 2004 brackets & placers here https://oacstate.com/2004OACJH

Just a few names that did not place Sam White, Cody Garbrandt, Came Tessari, Scott Mattingly.
Finishing in 8th place was a young man who had a successful high school career at Akron’s Coventry High, “Randy Henline”. He went on from finishing 8th at OAC to placing 3 times in division two at the high school state tournament (3rd,3rd,5th). Anyone who places at the OHSAA state tournament once is tough, though Randy was able to accomplish this on 3 separate occasions.
7th place: Gus Sako (Lakewood St.Edward), Gus would end up winning an OAC title eventually though this weight class was loaded to say the least. He went on to win 2 OHSAA titles, along with a 2nd place. Making the finals 3 times in Ohio is no easy task, let alone in division 1. He compiled a career record of (148-13) he also finished 3rd at Fargo. Later attended Virginia for college and would become a two-time NCAA qualifier for the Cavaliers.
6th place: Shelton Morris (Ravenna High School, CVCA) Shelton later placed at OHSAA 4th twice making him a two-time state place winner. Later attended Notre Dame College in Cleveland.

5th place: Jamie Clark (Lakewood St.Edward) Jamie would go on to become a 2-time Junior High Champ. 4-time state finalist winning 3 of those 4 years in the finals. Later he attended Illinois for college as well as Kent State. He also is one of 2 people from the state of Ohio to defeat David Taylor in high school. Outstanding Wrestler award at Fargo in freestyle 2007.

4th place: Kyle Gilchrist (Jefferson Area High School), Kyle would go on to become a 3-time state placer at OHSAA 4th, 4th and 2nd losing to David Taylor. Later attended Columbia University (Ivy League)
3rd place: Zack Pope (Marion Pleasant), Became a two-time state placer finishing 3rd and 7th
2nd place: Zachariah Neibert (St.Paris Graham local & Beavercreek), Zach would go on to become a 2-time OHSAA state champion and also a state runner up making him a three-time placer. Losing to former UFC Champion Cody Garbrandt in the finals once. Later he attended Northern Illinois University & Virginia Tech where he was an ACC Champion, 3 time NCAA qualifier with 1 All-American finish coming in 8th place for the Hokies.

1st place: Logan Steiber (Monroeville High School)We all know this name, Logan Steiber. Arguably one of Ohio’s greatest to ever step on the mat. Logan would go on to become a 4 time OHSAA State Champion having only 1 loss in high school to David Taylor. He would then attend Ohio State University where he would then win 4 NCAA national titles for the Buckeyes. Multiple Fargo freestyle championships as well as later in life making the Men’s US World Team and becoming a World Champion! He also was 3rd at the Olympic trials as a high schooler.
Check out the Stieber vs Neibert State Finals here by the legendary Brian Brakeman http://oacstate.com/2004StieberFinals=

*This weight class may in fact be the absolute toughest bracket ever in Junior High State history within the OAC!
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