HOW SWEET IT IS...for Miami East's Zane Goldberg, who took second at 125 pounds - losing only to the top wrestler in the nation.

DAY THREE: MARCH 6, 2010 - COLUMBUS
The 2010 State Wrestling Championships are in the books and the Cross County Conference saw four of its own finish on the podium. Covington's Andrew DeHart and Miami East's Zane Goldberg finished runner up at 145 and 125 pounds respectively, while Arcanum's John Sullenbarger took 7th at 189 and Jared Beatty placed 8th at 125.

It was a bitter-sweet tournament for DeHart as he had a state championship within his grasp, only to see it evaporate due to a controversial no call in his championship match against Troy Christian's Kyle Burns.

Trailing 4-1 in the third period DeHart reversed Burns and appeared to have his opponent lined up for a minimum of two back points, which would have made the score 5-4 in DeHart's favor with 10 seconds left.

But a one-count was all that was rewarded with a two-count needed for the two nearfall points. DeHart cut Burns loose in the waning moments in an attempt to tie the match with a takedown, but the Troy Christian wrestler held on for the 5-3 decision.

Still, DeHart's effort at the state meet was historic as he became Covington's first three-time state placer.

Goldberg reached the finals on Saturday with three straight one-point wins and was rewarded with a match against three-time state champion and the top ranked 125 pounder in the nation, Logan Stieber of Monroville.

With the crowd heavily favoring Stieber in his quest to become the 19th wrestler in history to win four state titles, Goldberg went after the unbeaten wrestler. But Stieber showed why he is the premier wrestler in the nation at his weight, eventually pinning a very game Goldberg.

Despite the loss, Goldberg showcased the heart and desire that makes him a champion. He went at the top wrestler in the nation with everything he had - and nobody in the Schott can say the same.

Arcanum High School saw its first two state qualifiers in school history become the first two to also place at the state meet.

The three-year program welcomes home John Sullenbarger, who placed 7th at 189 pounds, and Jared Beatty, who took 8th at 125 pounds.

Congratulations to the CCC wrestlers for their memorable accomplishments at the state tournament.

DAY TWO: MARCH 5, 2010 - COLUMBUS
After two days of wrestling at the 2010 State Tournament, four CCC wrestlers earned spots on the podium. But it's still unclear as to where each wrestler will finish.

What is for sure is Covington's Andrew DeHart and Miami East's Zane Goldberg will be wrestling in the championship match Saturday Night, while Arcanum's Jared Beatty and John Sullenbarger will be wrestling for seventh place in their respective weight classes.

Goldberg began the second day with a thrilling 9-8 victory over Josh Coulter of Cardinal-Lincoln in the quarterfinals. The victory assured Goldberg a spot on the podium.

But the senior from Miami East wanted more than just a spot on the podium. He wanted a chance at a state championship with a victory in the semifinal.

Goldberg wrestled superb in his semifinal match against Alec Jacober (41-5) of Beachwood, the district champion from the Maple Heights district. The Viking wrestler captured a 3-2 victory in a match Goldberg controlled throughout - only surrendering an escape point and a penalty point.

Standing in Goldberg's way of a state title will be the top ranked 125 pounder in the nation and returning three-time state champion Logan Stieber of Monroville (54-0).

DeHart opened day two with a 4-2 victory over returning two-time state placer Brandon Sommers of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in the quarterfinal.

He then won his semifinal match over Luke Boehm of Montpelier via injury default after leading 10-0 at the end of the first period.

DeHart will battle Troy Christian's Kyle Burns in a rubber match for the state championship at 145 pounds Saturday night. The two split matches this season, Burns winning 2-1 at sectionals and DeHart claiming a 5-0 victory at districts.

Heading into the state tournament Arcanum High School had never had a wrestler qualify for state. Jared Beatty and John Sullenbarger not only qualified, but became state placers.

Beatty dropped his quarterfinal match to Chase Kinemond of Shadyside, but rebounded to secure a spot on the podium with a 17-7 major decision over Cody Laney of Hicksville.

Sullenbarger took a different path after falling in his first round match Thursday night and winning in the consolation round two hours later.

He secured a spot on the podium in his first match Friday with a 2-1 victory over Ty Wasserman of Mechanicsberg.

Both Beatty and Sullenbarger dropped their following matches in the consolation round, but will compete on Saturday in the 7th place match.

The lone CCC wrestler to fall short of placing was Maimi East's Allen Seagraves. The freshman shocked the Schott on Thursday, upsetting Cam Michel of Milan Edison with a pin, but dropped his next bout to Brian Spangler of LaGrange Keystone.

Seagraves then dominated his next bout against Dexter Lee of Bloomdale Elmwood until 10 seconds were left in the match. Holding an 8-5 lead, Lee scored on a four-point move in the waning moments to hand the Viking wrestler an unfortunate 9-8 defeat.

Wrestling begins at the Schott at 10 am on Saturday.

DAY ONE: MARCH 4, 2010 - COLUMBUS
Cross County Conference wrestlers got off to a great start in the 2010 State Wrestling Championships in Columbus on Thursday as four of the five wrestlers won their opening bouts, while the fifth wrestler came back with a win in the consolation round.

Freshman Allen Seagraves of Miami East started things off in grand fashion by knocking off Cam Michel of Milan Edison with a fall in 2:47. Michel came in as the champion of the Owens College district, making Seavgraves' victory a surprise.

Seagraves (39-9) takes on Brian Spangler (35-3) of LaGrange Keystone in the Quarterfinal.

Another Viking wrestler had a big first day as returning state qualifier Zane Goldberg captured a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Drew Liechty of Fairview Park Fairview. Goldberg (41-5) looks to continue his quest to finish on the podium as he advances to the Quarterfinal against Josh Coulter (46-5) of Cardinal-Lincoln.

Covington's Andrew DeHart (50-3) made quick work of his opening opponent as he recorded a 16-0 technical fall over Jared Deatrick (38-8) of Paulding early in the second period. DeHart will battle Brandon Sommers (33-7) of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in the Quarterfinal.

It was a day of history for the Arcanum Trojans as Jared Beatty (45-8) and John Sullenbarger (49-4) who became the first from their school to wrestle under the lights at the state meet.

Beatty took to the mat first at 125 pounds and captured an impressive 13-8 victory over Jacob Carpenter of Girard. Beatty will wrestle Chase Kinemond (35-10) of Shadyside in the Quarterfinal.

Sullenbarger wasn't as fortunate as he dropped a 7-2 decision to Travis Drumm (48-6). The difference in the bout was likely a first period scramble that Drumm turned into a takedown after Sullenbarger appeared to be in position for two points of his own.

Despite the loss, Sullenbarger was able to return two hours later and regroup for a 4-1 decision over Brent Wilken (29-14) of Monroeville.

With all five CCC wrestlers still alive, they'll begin wrestling at 10am on Saturday.