The Bluffton News-Banner
By PAUL BEITLER


INDIANAPOLIS — Matthew Gerber didn’t finish up his first-ever trip to the state wrestling finals the way it started, but in retrospect he can be proud of his high school career.

After winning his first match Friday night, Gerber lost three straight matches Saturday to end his senior season with an eighth-place state finals’ medallion.

There were eight other 135-pound class wrestlers who began the finals on Friday that did not receive a medal.

“It’s been worth every minute of it,” said Gerber, looking back. “I have hated it sometimes, loved it sometimes, cried and all the other stuff, but it’s been great. It’s been a great career and it’s taught me a lot about winning in general and determination.”

Gerber finished up with a 38-6 season record after losing to Mishawaka senior Trenton Reinoehl (13-3) by a 9-4 decision.

“I guess I’m a little disappointed that I got eighth. There were some really close matches out there, although they didn’t look real close sometimes, but there were some things that could have gone my way. They didn’t and I had a fun season,” said Gerber. “Where I’m at, I am happy with.”

On Friday, Gerber advanced to Saturday’s medal rounds with a 7-2 decision over Ben Davis senior Forrest Romer.

In his first match Saturday morning, Gerber lost to state runnerup Mitchell Richey (43-1) of Brown County, 11-3. Richey finally lost to East Noble senior Taylor March (39-1) in the championship match, 4-3.

In the wrestlebacks, Gerber was defeated in overtime, 10-8, by Perry Meridian senior Chris Goodwin.

“After his last match, I told him to be proud, wear that medal with pride,” said Bluffton first-year coach Brandon Razo. “It’s an eighth-place medal, but a lot of people never get a medal and a lot of people never make it down here. Let that medal show your hard work.”

Razo also was proud of 171-pound senior Matt Morrissey, who lost his Friday match.

“I was told by another coach that you’re going to like this Matt Morrissey kid, and I did,” said Razo. “If you would have told me at the beginning of the year, that he would have gone to state I would have said no. I’d be happy if he got out of regional. To do what he did this last month was amazing. I told him that he earned going to state.”