Middie wrestlers have state gold in mind

Jacob Globke (bottom) of Middletown, wrestles against Detuan Smith of Colerain in the 160-pound weight class. Smith beat Globke 12-3 in the final round of the GMC Wrestling Tournamentat Lakota East High School on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Credit: Pat Strang

Credit: Pat Strang

Jacob Globke (bottom) of Middletown, wrestles against Detuan Smith of Colerain in the 160-pound weight class. Smith beat Globke 12-3 in the final round of the GMC Wrestling Tournamentat Lakota East High School on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Middletown senior 152-pounder LaTrell Davis can close his eyes and see the image as clear as day.

Davis, classmate Jacob Globke and sophomore Anthony Jagel all leaving the state wrestling tournament at the Schootenstein Center with medals in the shape of Ohio draped around their necks.

“I see the vision,” said Davis, who committed to continue his wrestling career at Cleveland State on Wednesday. “It could definitely happen; it would be the first time in school history and I think it would do a lot of good things for the program. It would be surreal; it’s there, I can reach out and touch it, that’s how close we are.”

Davis, Globke and Jagel will begin their journey today at the Centerville Division I sectional tournament. The top four in each weight class advance to the district tournament.

To make the vision even more surreal, the Middies will take just six wrestlers to the sectional tournament.

“With being a rebuilding year, they are a great foundation to have,” Middletown coach Nick Reiter said. “Everybody in the room has risen to the occasion and have given them the work they need.”

For Davis (26-3) a lot of the practice time is spent with Globke (26-3). The two have been drill partners since fifth grade.

“He’s always been good for me to work with,” said Globke, who is the projected state champ. “We are pretty much the same weight and has really been a good practice partner for me all these years.”

Jagel (29-4) gets everything started for the Middies at 106. The sophomore claimed his first league title with a tough 4-3 decision over Mason’s Patrick Kearney two weeks ago.

“Someone characterized him as Iowa tough,” Reiter said of the mentality perennial NCAA power Iowa is known for. “He just goes and goes and goes and he is one of the most coachable kids I have ever been around.”

Turns out, he has been pretty good for Davis and Globke as well.

“He still gives us a challenge,” said Globke, who is leaning toward Kent State. “You don’t hear that a lot (considering the weight difference).”

Reiter is ready for the postseason to begin and can also see Davis’ vision.

“I really look forward to this part of the schedule,” Reiter said. “If all of them get to state I can see us coming back with three placers.”

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