Tommy Morrill
INDIANAPOLIS — Tommy Morrill might not have exited Gainbridge Fieldhouse wearing the medal he desired most, but he’ll take it.
“I know deep down in my heart that I’m content, but not happy,” said Morrill, a Columbus East senior who defeated Terre Haute South senior Alex Rose 5-2 in the third-place match at 220 pounds at the Wrestling State Wrestling Finals.
“I was definitely aiming for No. 1.”
It was the third time this season the third-ranked Morrill wrestled the 11th-ranked Rose. Morrill defeated Rose by the same 5-2 score during the regular season and 3-1 in the postseason.
This time, following a scoreless first period, Morrill scored an escape and takedown and allowed a reversal in the second period to lead 3-2. Morrill added a two-point nearfall in the final period.
“I wrestled him at our invite earlier this year and in the semistate finals,” Morrill said. “It definitely gave me more confidence, but you can never have too much confidence going into the match. Stuff can change. They can learn new stuff. Opponents aren’t the same as the first time you saw them.”
Morrill, who won a 3-0 decision in his opening-round match on Friday, edged seventh-ranked Devin Kendrex of Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 3-2 in Saturday morning’s quarterfinals. Kendrix scored on a takedown in the first period before Morrill came back with an escape and takedown in the second period.
In the semifinals, Morrill lost to top-ranked Will Clark of Crown Point 7-3. The match was tied 1-1 after one period after Morrill earned a stalling point and a reversal and Clark scored a takedown. Clark scored on an escape and takedown in the second period to take a 5-2 lead. Morrill got an escape in the third, but Clark finished it off with a takedown.
Morrill was one of three local wrestlers to qualify for state. East senior Jackson Fox and Columbus North sophomore Justice Thornton lost in the first round on Friday.
Morrill, who advanced to state last season, but lost in the opening round, plans to attend Purdue, where he’ll major in video game development and design. At the moment, there are no plans for him to wrestle for the Boilermakers.
“As of right now, I’m not sure,” said Morrill after completing a 41-2 season. “I haven’t had any contact with them yet, but if I want to continue, and they want me on the team, that could be good.”
