COLUMBUS — Clear Fork’s first-ever state champion didn’t feel like celebrating.
Sophomore Anthony Oscar became the first Colt to reach the top of the state podium, thundering to a 12-1 win over Highland’s Kasey Clark in the 144-pound championship match Sunday.
After having his arm raised, Oscar gathered his belongings from his corner and ducked into the bowels of Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.
“I was tired,” Oscar said of his hasty exit. “I didn’t have the energy for (a celebration).”
Below are photos from Oscar’s championship match Sunday evening. Credit: Curt Conrad
MOAC Rivals
The same two wrestlers faced off in the finals of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference meet at Ontario in February. Oscar won that encounter 8-3.
Did he think he would run into Clark in the state finals?
“It doesn’t surprise me. Clark is a dog,” Oscar said. “He’ll come at you. He’s not scared.”
Rarified Air
Remarkably, Clear Fork has had only one wrestler finish in the top four at the state meet before Oscar struck gold Sunday.
Brandon O’Neill placed second at 170 pounds in 2012.
“I don’t know if that’s hit me, really,” Oscar said. “I’ve dreamed about (winning a state championship) since I was a kid.
“I wanted to be the first one to (win) a state title and we did it.”
Encore
Oscar finished the season with a record of 41-4 and is 89-7 in two seasons. He was fifth at state at 138 as a freshman before ascending to the top of the podium this year.
“I’m not stopping. I want more,” Oscar said when asked where he goes from here. “I’m not done.”
Celebration
How will the newly-crowned state champ celebrate his achievement?
“I was thinking about hitting up some Dave’s Hot Chicken,” Oscar said. “We can go to Buffalo Wild Wings. They’ve got a bacon mac and cheese burger that I’ve been thinking about.”