He hopes there are bigger — and better — in the future.

The 138-pound Roberts secured an impressive 5-3 victory over Louisville’s Davin Rhoads in the premiere finals matchup of the tournament, which was held at Fitch High School with limited fans in attendance.

The win was special to Roberts on a number of levels. He lost to Rhoads, a state champion in 2019, in a dual meet just a few weeks ago, so he earned some payback and gained added confidence. The victory also was the 176th of his career, setting a new record at Fitch — one of the elite wrestling schools in the Mahoning Valley. The title was his third straight EOWL championship as well.

“It’s awesome,” Roberts said. “(Rhoads is) a great competitor. Every time we wrestle, it’s going to be a scrap, but it just feels good to finally prove myself against him.”

Staff photo / Joe Simon Austintown Fitch coach John Burd celebrates Colin Roberts’ victory on Saturday at Fitch High School.

Roberts, who also was named the tournament MVP, doesn’t have much else to prove.

He is a three-time state qualifier who competes on a national level in the offseason. The Ohio University commit was one of many wrestlers who was heartbroken when last year’s individual state wrestling tournament was canceled due to the pandemic. He hopes for a shot at redemption in 2021, and a high-level victory over one of the state’s top wrestlers was a giant step in that direction.

“Colin has been preparing for those big matches,” Falcons coach John Burd said. “Rhoads is a returning state champ from two years ago. He beat us a couple weeks ago in a dual. It was a very good match, a back-and-forth battle. Colin’s main goal is in a month from now. This is a good stepping stone — a great win for him, a great win for the program.”

Earning the first takedown was the key for Roberts.

He almost landed a takedown late in the first period, but he couldn’t finish the move. That wasn’t the case late in the second period.

Staff photo / Joe Simon Boardman’s Sean O’Horo, top, controls Jonathan Potts of Beaver Local during O’Horo’s 5-1 victory at the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League Tournament on Saturday.

Rhoads earned an escape to take a 1-0 lead, but Roberts was able to secure a single-leg takedown to go up 2-1. Rhoads again escaped to tie the match at 2 going into the final period. Roberts escaped to start the third period and went up, 3-2, and he again finished a takedown on the stocky and powerful Rhoads, holding on for a 5-3 victory.

Roberts was excited for the special moment, and while the accolades that came along with it meant a lot to him, he has bigger expectations — ones he couldn’t pursue in 2020.

“Really, it’s everything,” said Roberts of having another chance to compete in the state tournament in March. “Growing up, my whole life, my goal is to be a state champ, get to the top of the podium, and hopefully this year it can be my year.”

Roberts wasn’t the only one enjoying the moment.

Boardman’s duo of Sean O’Horo (170 pounds) and Jake Powell (285) were crowned champions of their respective weight classes. Both have legacies to follow as well.

O’Horo’s older brother, Michael, was a decorated wrestler and a state placer at Boardman just a few years ago, and Powell’s older brother, Justin, was a state champion for the Spartans in the early 2000s. The family genetics apparently didn’t skip a generation.

Sean O’Horo, a junior who’s now 40-1, was in total control in a 5-1 victory over Jonathan Potts of Beaver Local at 170 pounds. Jake Powell, a senior who improved to 39-2, continued a patient, tactical approach at 285 pounds, beating Howland’s Gage Gibson, 3-1.

Boardman coach Dom Mancini said both wrestlers have blossomed during a time others are struggling.

“Both of our guys have thrived (during the pandemic),” Mancini said. “They’re taking advantage of it. They know that the sport, it’s more of a mental battle than a physical battle. We even changed the schedule. We’ve had a lot of matches this year. These guys both have had over 40 matches already. A lot of schools haven’t had anywhere near that. We’ve kept them competing. With that, and their attitudes and the way they train, they’re taking advantage of this year, rather than let COVID interfere with their success.”

The postseason begins Feb. 26 for all three divisions, beginning with the sectional tournament and then followed by the district and state events. The site of the state tournament has yet to be determined.

DIVISIONAL CHAMPS: There are four divisions in the EOWL, and each one is recognized as a champion based on the team scores. Louisville was the overall champion and the Division I champ with 253 points. West Branch won Division II with 126.5 points. Garfield took Division III with 108 points, and South Range won Division IV with 148.5 points.

EOWL HOF: There were five members inducted into the EOWL: Mike Helm (West Branch), Don Newell (Hubbard), Dave Janofa (Salem), Dean Conley (Fitch) and Joe Simon (Liberty).