Abe Hermes wins 2-1 in 113-pound state final

COLUMBUS — Abe Hermes prefers an active, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants wrestling match. Sunday night, the Edison sophomore won 2-1 in the Division III 113-pound final to become a state champion. Hermes defeated Legacy Christian's Eli Campbell by riding out the third period on the bottom. "Still feel like I'm in a dream," Hermes said. "His goal is to turn everybody. I didn't get out, but I didn't get turned. Not the prettiest win, but it's a state championship. "A couple times he almost had me. I think my dad was pretty nervous. I kept my cool — keep wrestling, keep moving." Hermes, who finished the season with a 29-1 record, made a first-period takedown hold up as he defeated a wrestler his older brother Max had eliminated in each of the last two state tournaments, including the 2021 finals. "I knew that was gonna be the match; that was a game-changer," he said of the clutch takedown. In the third period, Campbell started on top but couldn't score any points as Hermes stayed out of trouble. "We weren't really in scramble position," he said. "Still found a way to grind it out and that's what mattered." Edison coach Davy Hermes was surprised Campbell didn't let Abe escape in the third and go for a tying takedown. "They rode us out for a 2-1 loss, which was surprising," he said. "If I'm in that situation I'm probably kicking a guy knowing I can get a takedown if I'm not gonna turn him." Abe didn't get turned and led off a great night for the Hermes family. A few minutes after Abe became a state champion his older brother Max won his third state title. "Their goal was to be on the big stage together," Davy Hermes said. "I would've never imagined them winning state titles back to back. It's awesome as a dad and a coach." Abe, who missed much of the season with a broken humerus bone in his shoulder, cut down to 113 late in the season. Wasn't easy, but it helped him reach the top of the podium. "Abe was absolutely unbelievable," Davy Hermes said. "He was hurt, out two months and got down to 113. We didn't know if he could get down there. We had a conversation about winning state titles and taking sacrifices. Abe's never been a kid that likes to cut a lot of weight. I said you need to go to a spot where you feel comfortable. "He said, 'I can make 113 and win state.' The rest is history and he won. He didn't get scored on. He didn't get scored on here. He looked strong; he's a big 113-pounder." Abe, who last year finished fourth at 106, got to the finals with a pair of major decisions and an overtime win in Saturday night's semifinals. Abe said cutting to 113 was "definitely not the most enjoyable time." "I feel strong. I feel that's where I'm at my best," he said. "I felt fine throughout the whole tournament."