The State Wrestling Tournament at the Jerome Schottenstein in Columbus has come to an end this season.
Wrestlers dream about walking through the tunnel and becoming a State Champion, for Raider wrestler George Clemens, that became a reality. Senior George Clemens, of Wayne Trace, had his dream come true. Clemens went 50-0 on the season, on his way to becoming the Division III, 126 lbs. State Champion. Clemens made school history last year when he becoming the schools highest placer at the State Tournament with a 6th place finish. Clemens became not only Wayne Trace’s First Wrestling State Champion, but he became the first Wrestler from Paulding County to reach the top.
Clemens’ matches consisted of defeating Aaron Kitts (Galion Northwest) with a pin in 2:41, Logan Kissel (Garrettsville Garfield) 9-2, Joey Brown (Akron Manchester) 2-0 in over time, and for the Championship he defeated Damian D’Emillo (Genoa Area) with a 2-1 decision.
In the 120 lb weight class, Clemens’ teammate, Ruger Goeltzenleuchter, a junior, finished 5th and is the third wrestler in school history to place. Ruger beat his first opponent, Brandon White (Cadiz Harrison Central) in a 4-2 decision. He the lost his next match to Isaac Elliott (Massillon Tuslaw) 6-2, dropping into the consolation bracket.
Goeltzenleuchter fought his way through the bracket with wins over Matt Seifert (Utica) 6-5, Cameron Gessner (Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic) 8-4. Dropping his next match to Seth Hayes (Rootstown) 7-5 putting him in the position of wrestling for 5th place. Ruger then avenged his earlier lost to Elliott with an 11-9 victory.
“I am so proud of these two,” Coach Clemens said, “both have worked so hard in the off season and today was their reward. I’m so excited to have 2 placers and to have our school’s first State Champion. Words can not describe how happy I am for these two boys and our program.”
