Norwalk's Hernandez, Edison's Adams finish as runners-up

COLUMBUS — All Ethan Hernandez wanted to do was smile.In front of 12,195 fans inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center at Ohio State University, Hernandez was introduced on the raised center mat as Norwalk's first state finalist in 27 years."That was the best feeling I've ever had," Hernandez said. "I wanted to smile, but knew I had to have my game face on. But to see my parents and my coaches, and seeing all the people out there … it was the greatest experience."I wish a lot of people could experience that, but it's only limited to the best, so I guess that's something I can be happy about." Facing the season-long favorite to win the state championship at 160 pounds in Division II, Carrollton's Ben Pasiuk, Hernandez was unable to mount enough offense in a 6-2 loss by decision.It was scoreless after one period, but Pasiuk (44-1) got stellar defense and turned it into offense in the second.He scored two escapes for a 2-0 lead 29 seconds into the period, then got his first takedown by countering a Hernandez shot for a 4-0 lead. It was 4-1 in favor of Pasiuk in the final 15 seconds of the second, but he again was able to get under and take Herndanez down for a 6-1 lead.After three heartbreaking losses in the championship match in each of the previous three seasons, Pasiuk then kept his guard up on defense through the third.Herndanez got an escape with 1:21 left, but every shot he took was easily turned away by Pasiuk."He's got a very strong neutral defense and offense, very well-rounded," Hernandez said of Pasiuk. "I couldn't get anything going. If I can't shoot, I can't score. He really limited me on shooting so I couldn't score any points, and that's what ultimately won him the match."Hernandez opened the weekend with a pin in three minutes, then won 6-5 and 7-3 decisions to reach the title match. He finished his junior season with a 53-4 mark, and has now placed third and second at state, respectively, the last two years."It's the most fun I've ever had, and just being able to make it here is a huge accomplishment," he said. "It's what I've been dreaming of since I was five. I didn't get the outcome I wanted, but I got one more year to work for that."I have to work harder, figure out what I'm doing wrong or go back to the drawing board and try to get it for next year," he added.Hernandez is the fifth Norwalk wrestler to reach a state title match, and the first since Walt Robertson in 1992. Other Norwalk finalists include the program's only state champion, Dan Pugh (1972), along with Daryl Smith (1974) and Tim Corrigan (1982)."I realized how big of a deal it really is," Hernandez said. "Obviously I wanted more, but I couldn't get it. I got next year and need to work harder. I have to change some things and hope for the best."With the points from Hernandez, the Truckers finished sixth overall with 60 points in the Division II team standings.The four state placers is the most in a single season for the program, resulting in the highest finish at state as a team."Us placing is awesome, but seeing us on that top 10 leaderboard the whole weekend — that is the cherry on top," Hernandez said. "Next year, hopefully we can get more kids down here and get even higher on that leaderboard — and maybe we can get a few state champions on our team as well." Edison's Adams runner-up as seniorEdison's Ray Adams and Genoa's Oscar Sanchez go way back. Well before high school, even."I've known Ray forever, and we've seen each other a lot the last few years, too. He used to go to the same club as I did," Sanchez said. "He knew the stuff I liked and I knew what he was trying to get to out there."Saturday, the two seniors closed out their high school careers against each other in the Division III 120-pound final. In the end, it was the experience winning out.Sanchez, a three-time placer and two-time state champion, used three first-period takedowns to defeat Adams — a three-time state placer making his first finals appearance — 6-2.All the match's scoring took place in the opening period."He's really quick and he can score when he needs to," said Adams of Sanchez's strengths. "He just gets on and keeps going and going and going. I just couldn't stop it."Adams had two first-period escapes. Toward the end of the period, he looked to have Sanchez caught for a one-leg takedown on the side of the mat, but could never get the Ohio University signee around to finish the move."That was definitely a turning point," said Sanchez, one of six Comets to win a state title Saturday, including Dylan D'Emilio earning his historic fourth at 138. "Had he finished that, then gotten up for an escape, he'd of been a takedown away from getting me. I tried to be stingy and not give up anything."Over the course of the final two periods, neither of the two could get their offense working."I felt like I was getting closer today. That's a closer match than we had last time," Adams said. "He didn't score as much, but I didn't either."He's a tough kid. He earned it."Adams concludes his Chargers career with 205 wins, making him fourth all-time in program history and among a select group of around 20 to do so in OHSAA history.Genoa blew the doors off the old Division III meet record, scoring 172 points to earn a second straight team title.Edison took for third, tying the program's record for highest finish with 73 points.[gallery]Norwalk's Ethan Hernandez grabs Carrollton's Ben Pasiuk during the Division II 160 pound state finals in Columbus on Saturday, March 9, 2019.Norwalk's Ethan Hernandez wrestles Carrollton's Ben Pasiuk during the Division II 160 pound state finals in Columbus on Saturday, March 9, 2019.Edison's Ray Adams stands on the podium as state runner-up at 120 pounds in Division III on Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Columbus.Edison's Ray Adams wrestles Genoa's Oscar Sanchez during the state finals in Columbus on Saturday, March 9, 2019.Norwalk's Ethan Hernandez smiles as he's recognized as the state runner-up at 160 pounds in Division II on Saturday in Columbus.