Field 140 pounder T.J. Fox and Crestwood 171 pounder Cody Ryba come from two very different programs.
Ryba is at the heart of a Red Devils’ squad that enjoyed one of the best seasons in the school’s history.
Fox leads a Field team just starting to build its legacy.
However, both grapplers will be linked in a special way today: Both will wrestle for Division II state titles.
Fox will face defending champion Nic Brascetta (No. 8 @ 140) of St. Paris Graham tonight, while Ryba will take on Oak Harbor’s Jake Cramer during the finals at Value City Arena in Columbus.
Ryba earned his way to the title match with a 7-3 win over Graham’s Kyle Ryan (H.M. @ 171). Ryba wrestled one of his best matches of the year against the former state champion. The key to the match was a scramble where Ryba caught Ryan on his back for a takedown and two backpoints.
Crestwood coach Dave Wrobel said Ryba wrestled a near-perfect match in the semifinals.
“Cody Ryba was an underdog in his last two matches,” Wrobel said. “He was just focused. I saw it in his eyes in the first period. He wrestled a solid six minutes and a smart, aggressive match.”
