The two seniors endured heartbreaking defeats in the semifinal round of the Division I state wrestling tournament on Sunday morning. One match from a title berth, and their dreams of becoming state champions were shattered. Countless hours of rigorous training, indescribable sacrifices and a mental focus that took years to construct felt wasted after close losses.

But they had to wrestle again, and fast. The final matches of their high school careers still awaited them, and they only had about an hour to find a way to move on before wrestling another one of the state’s top wrestlers.

“That was definitely one of the most mentally challenging things I’ve been through,” said Roberts, a 138-pound wrestler for Fitch. “Having your dreams, your lifelong goals just crushed, and then you’ve got to come back. I think that might actually be harder than maybe winning the title, coming back from that (loss).”

Powell, a 285-pound wrestler from Boardman, felt the same way.

Staff photo / Joe Simon Fitch’s Colin Roberts, left, and Falcons coach John Burd embrace after Roberts finished in third place at the Division I state tournament.

“It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve been through all year,” Powell said. “I was really set on making it to the finals and winning it, but once it was over, I had to focus on placing as high as I could. About 5 minutes after, I was focused on my next one.”

Their perseverance paid off.

Both won their next matches and finished their careers in the top four in the state.

Roberts, an Ohio University recruit, suffered a 1-0 loss in the semifinal but won back-to-back bouts afterward to place third. He ended his career with the most victories in school history (189) and as a four-time state qualifier. He also won three Eastern Ohio Wrestling League titles and two Joshua Hephner Memorial championships — two of northeast Ohio’s most challenging tournaments.

Falcons coach John Burd couldn’t have spoken any better of Roberts, saying he embodied all that the wrestling program is about during his career.

Staff photo / Joe Simon Boardman's Jake Powell, right, puts a headlock on Bradley Weaver of Hilliard Darby during a 285-pound semifinal.

“His work ethic, his desire for the sport, his love for the sport just shows up each and every time he walks into the gym,” Burd said. “When he was at a young age, he was that kid who was sitting mat-side watching. He’s that kid as a senior who’s going to youth matches, watching the kids, talking to them after the matches. He’s always picking up the younger kids, just trying to lead the way. He’s been a great example for our entire program.”

That’s something else he and Powell have in common.

They each had to build themselves into the wrestlers they are today. Neither was a standout when they were younger. Powell had just four wins as a freshman but finished his senior year 50-5. He had to follow a family lineage of success as his father, Kevin, was a state runner-up in 1981 and his brother, Justin, earned a state title in 2009. His uncle, Brett, was a former standout wrestler as well and later became the Fitch head coach and turned the Falcons into a state power.

That history fueled him to improve.

“Seeing what my dad and my brother and my uncle, what everyone in my family did before me, I didn’t want to just be some average wrestler,” he said. “It took a lot of sacrifice from my social life and just countless hours of practice — being the last one to leave the practice room at night, being the first one there, just outworking everybody.”

Staff photo / Joe Simon Fitch's Colin Roberts, left, attempts to finish a takedown during his third-place match with Lancaster's Jacob Reed.

Powell also had a great senior season.

He won an EOWL title by beating three state-ranked wrestlers. He won championships at the Hephner and at the sectional tournament before taking second at the district and fourth at state, where he lost a close match to the eventual state champion in the semifinal round.

He said he hopes to make a decision over the next few weeks on whether he will play football at Wooster College or wrestle at Baldwin-Wallace University.

His succession to reach the highest level of the sport and join his relatives as one of the state’s best was impressive to watch for Boardman coach Dom Mancini.

“You have to create your own path,” Mancini said. “Everybody is different, and I think Jake left a great legacy.”

It’s a legacy his father, brother and uncle were able to witness.

Kevin, a Spartan assistant coach, was in the corner, and Justin and uncle Brett were in attendance as well. That made it extra special for the Powell family, who have done their best to keep the sport fun while still being competitive.

“It’s good to have Dom here to crack the whip or pull the reins back on me if I’m pushing too hard with him,” said Kevin about walking a fine line with being a dad and a coach. “I think it worked out good. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”