Still, the pin drew a quick fist pump.
Not because Romero was back in the finals, but because the bonus points from a pin help in the team race.
“I am thinking about that so much,” Romero said. “I needed to get that stick, get those bonus points. It has been one of our goals since the beginning of the season.”
Mechanicsburg leads Oak Harbor by 17.5 points (97.5-80) and advanced four to the finals with Alex Rhine (132), Tanner Smith (145) and Colt Yinger (152) joining Romero.
After near misses all four years in football and coming up short the past two years in the state duals tournament, grabbing a state team title has a special meaning to Romero.
“I think that is why it would mean so much,” Romero said. “So many teams I have been on have been on the verge so many times and it just didn’t fall our way. I hope this is the year it falls our way.”
Greeneview sophomore Devan Hendricks suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 106 semis, falling 6-4 in sudden victory to Legacy Christian freshman Wyatt Riddle.
Division II: Graham advanced seven to the finals and built a 125.5 point lead in securing its 17th consecutive state title Friday night in the semifinals.
Mitch Moore (132) and Rocky Jordan will look to defend state titles while Jordan (29-0) and 120 Jordan Crace (29-0) look to close out perfect seasons.
The 195-pound final will feature the fifth installment of the Kavan Sarver–Stone Day (Valley View) rivalry.
Day holds a 3-1 lead in the series.
Division I: Late in the 195 semis, Springfield's Joe Cochran looked at the scoreboard and knew he needed to go big.
He trailed 9-5 late in the match when he tried for a game-changer and got caught for a four-point move by St. Edward’s Dakota Howard in a 13-5 loss.
“I was just looking for something big at the end,” Cochran said after assuring himself a top-six finish.
Cochran, who went 0-2 with two one-point losses as a sophomore, said he will be ready to go Saturday morning to try and get third.
“I think this feels worse because I was one win away from wrestling for the title,” Cochran said. “I will be sad for a little bit and then I will get ready and be back to get third.”
On deck: Wrestling concludes today at the Schottenstein Center. The morning session begins at 10 with consolation semis and the third through eighth placement matches. Finals begin with the Parade of Champions at 5:30 p.m.
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