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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on May 25, 2008
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High school superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Dan Cosimi - OhioWrestling.Net
May 24, 2008
I had the opportunity to interview Logan Stieber yesterday to talk about his early commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at The Ohio State University.
How early? Very early. Stieber hasn't yet completed his sophomore year of high school. He has half of his high school career left, yet he has already committed to a big-time university. In the sport of wrestling, this very rarely happens - if ever. It is a testament to his ability and the faith the Stiebers have in the quality of the Buckeye wrestling staff and program.
As a Buckeye fan, I couldn't be happier.
So what made Stieber choose Ohio State? It's simple. He's an Ohioan born and raised. He has watched and cheered for the Buckeyes since he was a kid. When Jim Tressel led us to the national championship in football, Stieber was watching. When Tommy Rowlands won two NCAA championships, Stieber was watching. When J.D. Bergman did his Arnold Schwarzenegger impression on national television and he, Jaggers, and Pucillo wrestled in the national championship this year, Stieber was watching. And, whether it was conscious or subconscious, he was making his decision.
Simply put, Stieber said "wrestling for the Buckeyes is fulfilling a dream I've had since I was a kid."
I asked Stieber about his goals. His response was, "to keep improving each match." That's exactly what a coach wants to hear. He added, "to win two state titles as a team for Monroeville High School." His college goals are similar. Obviously his personal goal is to win a national championship, but he wants to lead the Buckeyes to a national championship as a team as well.
When I asked him if part of the reason for him committing so early was to help the Buckeyes reel in superstars David Taylor and Collin Palmer (possibly the #1 and #2 recruits in the nation this year), his answer was ambiguous. "Maybe a little bit. I've known David for a long time and we're good friends. I'd love to have him and Collin on the team with me. That would be awesome. That wasn't the reason for my decision, though. Ohio State was a great fit and I'm glad to have the recruiting process done already so I can just focus on wrestling the rest of my career and not have that extra pressure."
If Taylor and Palmer were to join Stieber on the future Buckeye squad, they would have an excellent chance to make history and become the first national championship team in the history of Ohio State wrestling. Stieber is excited for that opportunity and I'm sure it's crossed the minds of Taylor and Palmer more than once.
I asked if lightweight guru and USAW Freestyle Coach of the Year Lou Rosselli was a big factor in him coming to Ohio State. "Yes. I mean, I see [Reece] Humphrey just beat [Franklin] Gomez in at Junior Worlds. They're having all that success. I haven't talked to Coach Rosselli in person yet but I know he was the Freestyle Coach of the Year and all that so it's exciting."
When I asked what weight class he projects himself to wrestle at in college, he wasn't sure. "I'll be at 133 or 141. I'll probably wrestle at 125 this coming year and I'll keep getting bigger. We'll see." I asked what he thinks about his brother, Hunter, and David Taylor being around his weight and what might happen if they're all Buckeyes. He said he thinks that since Hunter is taller, he'll fill out more and could be come a 149. He said that David Taylor walks around at about 130 right now, so if he keeps getting taller and fills out, he could be at 141 as well. It's getting less likely that Taylor will be at 125 in college. Taylor wrestled at 121 this weekend at the Junior World Team qualifier.
There are plenty of reasons to be impressed with Stieber's wrestling. Still, perhaps what impressed me most about Stieber was the fact that at the end of a very good interview, he made it a point to mention to me that he carries a 3.8 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society at Monroeville High School.
Stieber will graduate as the one of the most successful wrestlers in Ohio high school history. Of course the debate of "the best ever" will always be argued. Based on what he's accomplished so far, it appears he is destined to be in that select group of our state's best of all-time.
In only two years of wrestling on Monroeville's varsity squad, he's dominated almost every event he's entered. He has already won two state championships and he's never even gone the full six minutes at the state tournament. His eight matches at the Schott have resulted in five first-period pins (0:22, 0:39, 1:30, 1:44, 1:45) and three technical falls (17-1, 18-3, and 20-5) - and that's just what he's done as a freshman and a sophomore.
This spring he reached new heights for a high schooler as he not only won the FILA Junior Freestyle national championship at 121 pounds, but was named the outstanding wrestler of the tournament - a tournament in which at least 95% of the competitors were already wrestling at the collegiate level. To win there, he defeated NCAA national qualifier Tyler Clark from Iowa State and last year's NHSCA Senior National champion and national #1 ranked 119 pounder Zach Sanders from Minnesota.
When I asked Stieber about the match against Sanders, he said it was a battle of strategy and tactics, like a chess match. It was not necessarily defensive, but in matches with wrestlers at that high of a level, one must always be in good position.
He said his goal was to get one takedown and one turn. In the first period, he got a late takedown to win 1-0. In the second period he worked hard to turn Sanders but couldn't. They went into the clinch and Stieber got the takedown and won the match 1-0, 1-0.
Stieber says he likes both folkstyle and freestyle, but prefers freestyle a little more because of the faster action and higher scoring.
To get a commitment from a high school sophomore that beat an NCAA qualifier and a freshman who went undefeated his redshirt season, the Buckeye staff has to be on "cloud nine" right now. And here's a teaser for you: They are not done yet!
In the spring of 2005, Stieber won the Cadet division's state freestyle title at 105 pounds with ease, which qualfied him for the USAW Cadet Freestyle national championships at the FargoDome in July against the best wrestlers in the nation. Not only did the freshman-to-be do well there, he completely decimated the field, outscoring his opponents by a combined score of 101-2.
He didn't stop there. Last summer he won another Cadet Freestyle national title, this time at 112 pounds over fellow Ohioan Sam White. He also won the FILA Cadet Freestyle national championship, which was held in Akron.
Stieber had nothing but praise for his coaches at his high school (Monroeville) and at his club (EBW or Erik Burnett Wrestling). He credits Ron Burnett and his sons Erik and Scott for being the most influential people on his wrestling career. Their coaching has molded him into being not only the best wrestler he can be, but the best person he can be as well. Making it a point to say they've kept him on track in the classroom as well.
Stieber grinds out hard practices in the Monroeville room during wrestling season, but in the off-season he trains and travels with the Burnetts. His home training grounds are called "the barn." The original barn is in LaGrange (closer to Elyria, where Erik is the head coach) and the second barn is located further west in Milan, not far from Stieber's home. Stieber said he goes to each a few times per week.
While competing for Monroeville, he's been almost perfect. He ran like a buzzsaw through the field of the Ironman - the nation's toughest tournament - this past year, with pins of 0:45, 0:32, and 5:29 before defeating four-time state placer Johnny Papesh by 10-1 major decision in the semifinals and blanking returning state champion Sam White 5-0 in the final. The only thing separating Stieber from an undefeated high school career is a loss in the Ironman championship bout his freshman year - his first varsity tournament ever - to his good friend and fellow nationally #1 ranked wrestler, David Taylor.
Stieber has been so close to perfect that, I think I can recall off the top of my head every time he's gone the full six minutes in high school. Five: twice as a freshman (against Clark and Taylor), three times as a sophomore (against Papesh, White, and Opfer).
I looked up dominance in the dictionary. I was not surprised to find a picture of Logan Stieber next to it.
The Buckeye nation is seeing its dreams of a national championship come alive, one recruit at a time.
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on May 25, 2008
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very nice interview Dan, glad Logan & u clarified things---- now
tell it to "takedowswinsbigbouts" on theMat college forum and maybe he will stop beating the dead horse.
But but i did gag once, on this statement u made:
"Stieber may graduate as the best wrestler in Ohio high school history. Of course that debate will always be arguable, but based on his credentials, it would be difficult for anyone to argue against it."
in this ESPN--MTV era there seems to always be a race to crown someone the best ever, in some sport or another. But truth is that the best ever in any sport-- or in this case in Ohio hs wrestling-- may have been recently or perhaps 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, pick one: Tom Milkovich, Lee Kemp, Alan Fried, Jim Jordan, Luke Fickell, Mike DeAnna, Carl Hoppel, John Matteucci, Sean Garel, Jim Heffernan, Johnny McGhee, Tommy Rowlands, Chad Owens, Harry Lester, Joe Heskett, Marcus Mollica, Dustin Schlatter, David Taylor.
Logan still has a high school loss to David Taylor and its a BIG loss because it was in the Ironman finals, maybe he can turn the tables if both are the same wt next December 6th ?? But for now let's debate the King if warranted
after the career is over.
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on May 25, 2008
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Thanks for the positive feedback, Bob.
I agree that I was too quick with the "best ever" reference. I have edited that paragraph with a better representation of what I meant to say.
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Quote from Dan Cosimi's post:
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"Stieber will graduate as the one of the most successful wrestlers in Ohio high school history. Of course the debate of "the best ever" will always be argued. Based on what he's accomplished so far, it appears he is destined to be in that select group of our state's best of all-time."
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However, I must disagree with you on the Taylor loss being big. It was his first varsity tournament ever, it was not at state, and Taylor was a returning all-everything and a national #1. Losses like that are much more understandable when contrasting minute details (between him and, say, a Harry Lester or a Dustin Schlatter).
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on May 26, 2008
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Great write-up.
When asked why Ohio State, I love the answer... because I'm a Buckeye. (duh font on.)
That is the greatest answer ever! I remember when Lance Palmer gave it. It was so matter-of-fact and so devoid of any other option. It was almost as if tOSU wrestling program was all there was and that's it.
I get the feeling (and I'm sure I;m reading into it
WAY
too much) that when these guys hear that question they are confused. Like, "What do you mean, 'Why Ohio State?'" It takes me back to the movie Big with Tom Hanks and that ever famous line..."I don't get it."
<sign_oh>
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on May 26, 2008
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"However, I must disagree with you on the Taylor loss being big. It was his first varsity tournament ever, it was not at state"
DanC,
not at state ?? in most wt classes, state not nearly as tough as Ironman, no where close -- and that certainly includes what was brutal weight class: 2006 Ironman 103 pounds.
At state the top Ironman 103 finishers that year, Clark, Jerome Robinson & Sam White were in Div I-- Taylor in Div II--- Stieber in Div III. All the very best didnt meet at state, so state was lacking compared to Ironman that year in that weight class.
That was a big win for Taylor over Stieber, 7-3, no getting around that --AND its their only hs head to head meeting so far... no doubt, it was BIG.
i'm thinking Logan may still turn that result around, if both at 125 next season, but so far edge to Taylor.
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Brian Morrow added to this discussion on May 26, 2008
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Bob I think there is no way we see them both at 125 next season I really see taylor going 119 he still needs to add some bulk. I absolutly agree though if they where to wrestle today I think we may see different result but both are awesome wrestlers and I want them to both stay home OSU BABY!!!
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on May 26, 2008
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B Morrow,
u know a guy being overlooked here is
JAMIE CLARK
-- at Ironman 2006,
Cael Sanderson said to me "I'll take the top 3 at 103, and Collin Palmer right now."
the # 3 at 103 was Jamie Clark of st Eds, who only lost to Stieber by one point in the semis. Clark has beaten David Taylor in a dual meet and given Taylor several very very close battles.
Clark is faster, imo, on his feet than Palmer, Taylor and Logan Stieber. Whose to say, Clark might end up every bit as good as any of them in college ?
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on May 26, 2008
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Quote from Bob Preusse's post:
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"not at state ?? in most wt classes, state not nearly as tough as Ironman, no where close -- and that certainly includes what was brutal weight class: 2006 Ironman 103 pounds."
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I know that, but when debating the best high school wrestler, you look to the ultimate goals as being bigger matches and accomplishments.
What would a wrestler rather do: win state and be runner-up at the Ironman or win the Ironman and be runner-up at state? I'd bet the house that they'd want the state title.
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Quote from Bob Preusse's post:
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"That was a big win for Taylor over Stieber, 7-3, no getting around that --AND its their only hs head to head meeting so far... no doubt, it was BIG. "
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You are misquoting me. It was a huge win for Taylor. I'd never say it wasn't. What I said was that it wasn't a big loss for Stieber in the context of debating the best high school wrestler. Why? Because EVERYONE (other than Tom Milkovich) who has completed a high school wrestling career in the state of Ohio has lost at least once. If you're going to lose once, a loss to national #1 all-everything David Taylor is definitely not a "big loss" comparatively.
J Jaggers was an amazing high school wrestler and a four-time state champion. He dominated his way to a Senior National title in 2004 and he won by technical fall his senior year in the Ironman (in a weight class where Phelan upset Johnstone in the opposite semi). In his career he lost to Josh Zupancic (four-time state finalist), Charlie Agozzino (state finalist), and Shawn Protz (three-time state placer). What do you think is "bigger" comparatively: Stieber losing once as a freshman to a national #1 or Jaggers' losses to three wrestlers with one state title between them? (This isn't meant to knock anyone, just to make my point about comparing great accomplishments like these guys have.)
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Brian Morrow added to this discussion on May 26, 2008
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I feel Jamie Clark Would be a Great pick up an yes they have been some close matches but if i am right Taylor is 3-1 against him if they where to get all three why not
Jamie Clark 125
David Taylor133
Logan Stieber141
Of course this is a couple yrs down the road!!
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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<thumbsup> I do like the way you think, Mr. Morrow! <thumbsup>
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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DanC,
if the loss to Taylor in the Ironman finals proves to be Logan Stieber's ONLY high school loss, was it BIG ??? i think so.
well Dan looks like u and i disagree, because i think it was
a BIG loss
for Stieber---
after all when u r as great a wrestler as Logan Stieber any loss is huge.
Dan, forget this "state" stuff -----
face it, a wrestler of Stieber's caliber
dances thru Div III state
. He is not worried about winning state, esp in Ohio with 3 Divisions and the talent split up at state.
Its not a matter of whether he would rather win Ironman or state more, which u keep bringing up -- a wrestler of this caliber expects to win everywhere and
when he doesnt its BIG
.
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Tom Elmer added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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Dan C,
I agree with Bob that Ironman is a much tougher test for Logan than D3 states.His only loss was to what looks like will be the first ever 4 time winner at Ironman - David Taylor.I also think of how many state champs and multiple state champs never win even one Ironman.
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Roe Fox added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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Perhaps I'm mistaken but I think Dan C is saying that a loss in your very first tournament your freshman year -- especially Ironman -- can be chalked up to many things, especially his opponent and lack of experience. Since it occurred so early he can outperform that result with the rest of his career.
If he loses this year or next during the state tournament, a dual or even Ironman it will be much bigger because he will not be expected to lose, particulary after the recent tournament MOW against college guys.
Taylor's loss to Clark was big earlier but given the expectations for him now if he lost again it would be bigger. Cael lost his redshirt year -- most say no big deal. Gable had only one loss -- huge after going undefeated for three years and winning two titles.
If thats the theory I agree.
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Brian Morrow added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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BIG lost or not I WILL TAKE THEM ALL IF I AM TOM RYAN!!!
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Discussion Topic: HS superstar Logan Stieber commits early to Buckeyes
Tom Elmer added to this discussion on May 27, 2008
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Jamie Clark is another one of the great Ohio lightweights in high school who does tend to get overlooked.He handed David Taylor his second high school loss and other than the loss to Taylor at Ironman has been close to winning a second time.He also is another one of the talented Burnett barn kids( along with Monroeville stars and others). He should make some more noise this summer in Fargo and will be a top recruit for college although he mentioned when I interviewed him,Brian Roddy and Collin Palmer that freestyle is his favorite style.
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