Heath wrestling passes down Robin Drumm’s legacy

On Jan 22, 2023

HEATH — None of the Heath wrestlers remember Robin Drumm, but the Bulldogs carry the coach’s memory on their singlet in the form of his initials every time they step on the mat.

No day has greater significance each season than Saturday. Heath hosted the Robin Drumm Classic, held annually to remember the father of our their program so to speak.

“This is how our program started,” Heath assistant coach Erin Carnahan said. “Robin was a big important part of our program. We try to represent him as much as we can.”

Drumm was a star wrestler at Newark before he and current Heath coach Jerome Hunt were the program’s first assistants to Roger Morgan in 2001. Drumm at the same time was instrumental in the growth of the Licking County Youth Wrestling League and was a larger than life figure until his tragic death during a high school tournament at Coshocton in 2008.

Lakewood senior Mitch Malone at 113 pounds and Utica senior Clayton Smith at 150 were Licking County’s two champions during the 19-team event. Utica piled up 189 points to take runner-up, finishing only behind John Glenn’s 202.5 and just ahead of Waterford’s 185.

“Today has been a big step in encouraging each other and just really showing up as a team,” said Utica senior Zach Cyphers, who placed fourth at 165. “Me and Clay lead practices, show them what to do. We always help them out between matches and watch their film and try to do the best we can.”

Smith continued a dominant senior season, recording three quick pins before a 12-0 shutout of Franklin Heights’ Alex Moore in the semifinals. He led Waterford senior Lane Cline 6-0 in the third period of the final before settling for a 6-4 victory.

Malone earned his first career title, scoring late to edge Waterford freshman Briceson Cline 9-7 in the final after pinning his first four opponents. Malone took the challenge to cut weight to earn a varsity spot this season amongst the Lancers’ loaded lightweights after previously competing mostly at the JV level.

“It’s really cool to see because we have four seniors at 106, 113, 120 and 126, and it’s a pretty good group of guys,” Malone said. “It helps a lot in practice because (Antonio Steffani at 106) is quick. (Caleb Rafferty at 120) is strong and bigger. I am pretty proud of how everyone has done so far.”

Host Heath had just six wrestlers competing. Sophomore Jahki Royster (144) and junior Reece Shriner (215) each won his first three matches to reach the semifinals before dropping the final two to place fourth.

“I know Robin Drumm put a lot time and effort into Heath wrestling,” Shriner said. “We want to make it good for him as much as possible.”

A pair of Utica sophomores nearly made runs to the championship, each falling in the final. Andrew Lewis opened his day at 175 with an upset of the No. 2 seed from Walnut Ridge, and he later beat the No. 3 seed from Crooksville to reach the final, and Breyden Hill at 126 nipped Lakewood senior Corey Rafferty 4-3 in his semifinal.

Utica sophomores Robert Cotsamire (144) and Brandon Thornsberry (215) each placed third, matching Steffani and Caleb Rafferty for Lakewood. Utica sophomores Anthony Unger (106) and Nick Drumm (138) joined Corey Rafferty, Cyphers, Shriner and Royster as fourth-place finishers.

“I am looking forward to week after week improving just to get to that next level,” Cyphers said. “Really, I am just facing myself, overcoming that next step.”

That mind-set is one Robin Drumm would have appreciated.

Erin Carnahan’s three sons wrestle in the Heath program with his oldest Brady placing fifth as a sophomore at 106 on Saturday. Erin Carnahan is hoping to help the Bulldogs return to the level of prominence of a decade ago when Travis Drumm, Robin’s son, was a part of a core of All-Ohioans.