TRIO COMPETE...from the CCC at Andrew DeHart (Covington), Chris Heiss (Miami East) and Zane Goldberg (Miami East) wrestle in the state tournament in Columbus.

ANDREW DEHART TAKES FOURTH
UPDATED: 1:30 PM - MARCH 7, 2009
It was a bittersweet experience for Andrew DeHart at the 2009 OHSAA State Wrestling Championships in Columbus, Ohio this weekend as the Covington sophomore finished fourth at 145 lbs.

"I'm sorta happy because I placed higher than last year," said DeHart after dropping a 6-5 decision to three-time state placer Robbie Chilson (50-4) of Bellaire. "But my goal was to be on the top of the podium, so I'm not happy about that."

But to finish fourth and to be a two-time state placer as a sophomore is a significant accomplishment, especially considering what he had to go through over the three-day event.

DeHart suffered from a stomach virus throughout the weekend and immediately ran to the bathroom following his final match.

"My stomach cramped up in the second period," DeHart explained. "I'm not using that as an excuse, but I did everything I could."

Chilson took a 2-0 lead with a first period takedown and extended the lead to 4-2 with a takedown in the second.

But DeHart turned the tables in the third period as he turned Chilson in a cradle for three back points and a 5-4 lead.

"Andrew really battled over here (at state)," said Covington coach Tom Barbee. "He had some stomach issues and he did the best he could to ignore it. He just sucked it up and went after it."

Which wasn't enough to capture third place with a victory as Chilson scored on a reversal in the final minute to steal the 6-5 win.

"We're proud of him (DeHart)," Barbee said. "He wrestled as well as he could under the circumstances and that's all you can ask. He just lost a couple of close matches where one or two things make the difference."

The difference between watching or being in the finals - something DeHart still wants to accomplish in the future.

"My goal is to be on top the next two years (as a junior and senior)," he said. "You've got to work hard to get here, but work harder than everyone else to be on top. I've just got to outwork everyone."

And find a way to avoid the bug.

UPDATE: 11:30 AM - MARCH 7, 2009
Andrew DeHart regrouped from last night's disappointment in a big way with a dominant victory over Aaron Hunter of Akron Manchester - a victory that goes in the books as an injury default after Hunter couldn't continue with 1:44 left in the match.

"I wrestled pretty good and didn't do anything stupid," said DeHart, obviously still disappointed in last night's result. "I'm looking for third right now."

DeHart's controlled the match from the outset, recording two first period takedowns to take a 4-1 lead.

"I definitely was focused on getting the first takedown," DeHart said. "That was big because it set the tone for the match."

A tone where DeHart continued to dominate as he immediately escaped to start the second frame and followed with another takedown and two back pionts to increase his margin to 9-1.

In the process Hunter suffered an injury, but showed a champion's heart by continuing to wrestle.

"Ninety percent of this sport is mental," explained Covington coach Tom Barbee. "He (Hunter) was a tough, tough kid, but Andrew stayed on him throughout the match."

Which was ultimately ended with 1:44 left in the third as Hunter was in too much pain to continue.

"He's (DeHart) moving up the podium," Barbee said. "He can back mentally prepared this morning and focused on the things he had to do."

Which moves DeHart into the Consolation Finals later this morning.

UPDATED: 8:00 PM - MARCH 6, 2009
Andrew DeHart's quest to become a state champion was derailed for the time being as he dropped a grueling 2-0 decision to Alex Betts (47-3) of Bloomdale Elmwood in the Championship Semifinals.

And the difference in the match was a first period scramble that resulted in a Betts takedown - when it appeared DeHart (45-5) was about to come out on top.

"Yep," agreed Covington coach Tom Barbee in regards to the takedown setting the tone for the match. "It would have been totally different if we could have gotten that takedown."

Because Betts immediately went on the defensive.

"He (Betts) was content to ride us out in the second period," Barbee continued. "Then we couldn't turn him in the third period."

DeHart was visibly gassed by the third frame, which made it that much more difficult.

"I feel terrible," DeHart said afterward. "I've felt terrible all day. I need a good night's sleep and then come back tomorrow and go after third place. I won't accept anything less than third right now."

Which will be a higher spot on the podium than he finished a year ago as a freshman when he took sixth at 130 pounds.

"He's going to finish higher than he did last year," Barbee said. "We'll come back tomorrow and work for that next place on the podium."

Wrestling continues Saturday at 10:00 AM.

UPDATE: 1:00 PM - MARCH 6, 2009
Miami East's Chris Heiss and Zane Goldberg each saw their season's come to an end with losses in the second round of consolations as both wrestled at the same time on separate mats.

Heiss fell by the slim margin of 4-1 to Tim Wiseman (34-5) to end his senior season with a 37-10 record and as a two-time state qualifier. Heiss nearly tied the match in the final period as he had his opponent headed toward his back, but time ran out on the Viking wrestler.

Goldberg fell to Riki Reynolds (38-8) of Marion Pleasant by a 13-1 major decision. The fact that Goldberg was able to compete into the second consolation round was short of amazing as he battled illness throughout the tournament. Goldberg ends his junior season with a 37-7 record and returns for his senior season as a two-time state qualifier.

Congratulations to both Heiss and Goldberg for outstanding seasons.

UPDATE: 11:30 AM - MARCH 6, 2009
Andrew DeHart (45-4) woke up this morning not feeling the best due to the illness he has battled for the last few days.

"I felt terrible this morning," DeHart said. "I was just hoping I could gut it out and come out with a win."

Which he did as he defeated Quinton Cooperider of Marion Pleasant (45-4) via an impressive 14-8 decision.

The victory pits DeHart against Alex Betts (46-3) of Bloomdale Elmwood in the semifinals later this afternoon. The winner will punch his ticket to the finals on Saturday.

"We're right where we want to be," said Covington coach Tom Barbee. "He's winning and he's wrestling well. He was more on today - hitting his moves and using his technique."

Championship semifinal matches begin at 6:30 pm tonight.

UPDATE: 8:15 PM - MARCH 5, 2009
Chris Heiss and Zane Goldberg displayed some "Viking Toughness" as coach Max Current stated by rebounding from first round losses to win their first consolation matches.

Heiss defeated Tyler Reed of Waterford 4-3, while Goldberg shut out Cody Burge of Creston Norwayne, 8-0.

"For Chris, this is a case of you lose and you're done," said Current. "He's a senior and he wants to finish on the podium - both of them do. They put themselves in position to do that."

Goldberg showed the heart of a champion as he battled not only two tough opponents, but a terrible head cold. The look on Goldberg's face is proof of just how bad he feels.

"He's been feeling horrible the last couple of days," Current said. "But he's one tough kid."

As is Heiss as he showed mental toughness to come back from an overtime defeat to stay alive with his big win.

"They both showed Viking Toughness," smiled Current. "You may not have the most talent, but you get the job done through sheer determination. Both kids exemplified that tonight."

The duo, along with Covington's Andrew DeHart, will continue wrestling tomorrow as Championship Quarterfinals begin at 10:00 am.

UPDATE: 4:30 PM - MARCH 5, 2009
Covington's Andrew DeHart won his opening round match at the state wrestling tournament, while Miami East's Chris Heiss and Zane Goldberg each dropped their first matches.

DeHart (44-4) had to overcome flu symptoms and an early 3-2 deficit to defeat Kyle Freiberg (42-5) of Middletown Cardinal 9-3. The 145 lb. Covington sophomore moves on to the quarterfinals against Quinton Cooperider (45-3) of Marion Pleasant tomorrow morning.

Heiss (36-9) dropped an 8-4 overtime heartbreaker to Tim Triskett (42-5) of Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph. The Miami East grappler led 4-2 midway through the match, but surrendered a third period takedown to make the score 4-4 at the end of regulation. Heiss then surrendered a takedown and two back points in overtime to drop into the 112 lb. consolation bracket.

Goldberg (36-6) also dropped his opening match of the tournament, 11-4 to Alex Lopez (43-3) of Hamler Patrick Henry. He continues later tonight in the consolation bracket at 125 lbs.