Thomas qualifies for state wrestling meet

Van Wert wrestling team information

TROY — Van Wert senior wrestler Zach Thomas achieved every high school wrestler’s dream by qualifying for this weekend’s State Wrestling Tournament in Columbus.  Thomas earned his qualifying spot the hard way by wrestling all the way back through the consolation bracket on Saturday at Troy’s Hobart Arena in the Division III District Tournament.

Thomas’ quest for the lofty, and for many, elusive, qualification spot started on Friday afternoon as he recorded a second period fall over Troy Christian’s Seth Douglas in first round action.  The quarterfinals matched Thomas against Cincinnati Madeira’s Nick Gelhaus, who recorded a 4:59 pin at the end of a very physical battle.  This loss placed Thomas in the consolation bracket, and the looming long-odds goal of needing to win three matches in a row to earn a ticket to

Columbus.

Thomas did just that by pinning Greeneview’s Isaiah Harding in 4:15, pulling out a tense 4-2 decision over North College Hill’s Michael Harris and then beating Spencerville’s Logan Vandemark 10-6 in the consolation semifinals.

Saturday afternoon’s third place consolation finals match pitted Thomas against Madeira’s Gelhaus again, and this time the battle ended in a 9-3 decision for Gelhaus, while Zach’s 4-2 district record earned him the fourth place state qualifying spot.

“Qualifying for the state tournament is something I have always dreamed of,” Thomas said after the dust had settled. “My career has been up and down, but I knew today I could achieve my goal by taking all of my experiences and just focusing on one match at a time.”

“Zach has just given our program a needed shot in the arm,” Thomas’ elated coach, Ben Collins, noted. “This will motivate each and every one of our underclassmen.  What Zach achieved today, and the way he did it, is a rare occurrence in our sport.  We are all so proud of him.”

Senior teammate Gabe Hill wrapped up his wrestling career in district competition.  Hill, Van Wert’s 195-pound wrestler, dropped a first round match to Versailles’ Kyle Dieringer, recorded a 9-1 major decision over Dayton Christian’s Eric Henkel, and then was eliminated by Waynesville’s Donald Moore in the second round of consolation matches. Hill finishes his senior season with a 32-17 record.

“We are very grateful to Gabe for his leadership and proud of everything he has accomplished in his wrestling career here at Van Wert High School,” Coach Collins said.

Thomas will begin his state tournament experience on Thursday afternoon in Ohio State University’s Jerome Schottenstein Center as he faces Akron Manchester’s Jaco Hanzel in a 3 p.m. championship preliminary match.