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By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(COLUMBUS) – Deandre Nassar completed what he set out to do.
The Bluffton High School senior standout grappler capped his career with a state championship and did not lose a single match the entire season.
Nassar closed the 2018-19 campaign with a 48-0 record and now has added his name to the long history of Pirate wrestlers who have also earned state championships in years past.
Saturday evening in the state final, Nassar controlled Carey’s Tanner May, winning the match by a 5-2 count. Deandre would not let May shoot successfully, keeping him wrapped up throughout the match.
Nassar got a second period take down on one of his infamous lift and throw moves. An escape point upped Nassar’s lead to 3-1 going into the final period.
He kept May at arms length and finally scored an additional take down with 15 seconds left to put the match out of reach. At the final whistle, Nassar was quick to embrace Coach Jeff Kleman in a full on bear hug.
Several hundred Pirate faithful roared in the stands as Bluffton celebrated its most recent state champion.
Nassar becomes just the fourth Pirate in school history to finish a season undefeated:
• Josh Falk (2005)
• Brian Edwards (1982)
• Tom Falk (1977) have also accomplished the feat.
Deandre is Bluffton’s seventh state champion joining a list that includes:
• Tom Falk
• Mark Falk
• Steve Smith
• Brian Edwards
• Josh Falk
• Justin Shannon
Josh Falk was the most recent champion in 2005.
Nassar ends his Bluffton High School run with a 162-21 career record. The 162 wins is the third most in program history behind:
• Josh Falk (179)
• Zach Wilson (173)
ALL PHOTOS BY AMY MORTIMER
