Gross looks to add to St. Paul, family lineage

When the expectation is state or else, the regular season can drag. That can especially be the case for St. Paul junior Rafael Gross, who anchored a St. Paul team that was low on numbers this season. But despite the long wait of three-plus months, Gross said he didn't find himself staring at a calendar this winter. "I don't mind the length of the season that much, because it's helpful to be able to sharpen all your moves along the way," Gross said. "I think it's best to take advantage of it and stay as fresh as you can." That certainly worked for the fourth sibling of his family to earn All-Ohio honors in his family. Gross (43-6) will compete in his third straight Division III state championships starting Friday inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus. "It gets a little challenging, but there is always a way to boost a kid's confidence," St. Paul head coach Sam Springer said of balancing the long grind to state. "I think that's the goal with Rafael and in my experiences as well. "I still remember last year when he was talking about how he got his confidence during the state tournament. So yes, he is very good already, but the goal is to keep his confidence growing still along the way. Gross, who closed the regular season ranked No. 4 at 165 pounds according to borofanohio.net, took a loss in the district title match on March 7 at Rossford. He was edged by a point, 4-3, against No. 6-ranked Gunner Taylor (40-7) from Delta. "I learned some things to work on throughout this week," Gross said. "Just getting my offense in more. It was definitely a learning experience." Springer said it wasn't Gross' style of match, and it cost him. "I know he wishes he had it back, but he doesn't," he said. "But moving forward, Rafael knows what to do to put his best foot forward." The 165-pound weight class in Div. III is among the toughest, which is why Gross would like to have last week's loss back. If he can beat No. 11-ranked Sam Ediger (33-9) from Dalton in the first round, the projected state champion, St. Paris Graham's Jake Hoke (35-2), would await in the quarterfinals. "The state tournament is one match at a time," Springer said. "With Rafael, it's one point at a time, one second at a time. "This week, we're trying to get him in that mindset, then stack them all together. If he does that, the results will take care of themselves." Last season, Gross finished 51-4. After losing 10-3 in his opening round match to Galion Northmor's Carson Campbell, another contender this weekend, Gross nearly came all the way back to take third. But he lost the third-place match, also by a 4-3 score, to place fourth. As a freshman, Gross was 46-13 and went 1-2 at state to miss out on placing. In his career to date, Gross has won two sectional titles and placed second as a freshman. He has placed third twice prior to this season's runner-up finish at the district tournament. With a record of 140-26 entering this weekend, Gross is also a three-time Firelands Conference champion, which gives him the chance to be the 17th four-time FC champion next year. "I'd say this year has been good enough," Gross said. "But my goal is to wrestle to my ability and stay focused. I want to peak this week and do as well as I can and see where it takes me." Springer said what makes Gross unique is everything he does behind closed doors. "The kid is always putting in work," he said. "Twice a week, he goes and works out at another practice. He's constantly running, and the way he eats … it's the reason he is who he is." Along with family lineage, Springer noted St. Paul has had at least one state qualifier in all but two years (2002, 2018) since 2000. "That's why I know I'm so blessed, because of the tradition here at St. Paul with a harder schedule," Springer said. "And that's the reason for a kid to go to state. The tradition and work ethic, and the families here are what make it so special." But for Rafael, the motivation in the room each day starts by glancing up at the state board. Older brother Mitchell is up there twice as a state placer, as is Derek as a four-time state placer, and Jesse as a two-time qualifier. Now, Rafael has a chance for an eighth All-Ohio medal in the family. "I'd say it definitely sets expectations pretty high," he said. "It's a helpful driving factor to train hard and see what you can do for your own name."