MARTINS FERRY — In sports a lot of times, athletes have to wait their turn. Donte Lewis knows that first-hand.

The Martins Ferry junior watched Dom Wallace and Hunter Bodkin reach the podium at the state tournament as 285-pounders his freshman and sophomore seasons. He also watched Dalton Hoover become a three-time all-Ohioan at 195 pounds. Jonathan Bodkin was all-Ohio as a heavyweight while Lewis was in junior high.

The Purple Rider surprised a lot of people at the Barnesville Doan Ford Invitational wrestling tournament recently when he captured the 285-pound championship. He earned his title with a 3-2 decision over fifth-seeded Dylan Wogerman of Athens.

“Donte was a big surprise. We knew he had it in him. He’s been wrestling behind some pretty good heavyweights his entire high school career,” first-year Martins Ferry head coach Chad Ware said of Lewis. “He’s wrestled with both Bodkins (Jonathan and Hunter) and Dom (Wallace) during his career. That’s why he is where he is today.

“A big surprise to many people, but we knew he had it in him. I’m proud of him.”

Lewis was also quick to acknowledge the experience he absorbed while competing against the Bodkins, Hoover and Wallace.

“I owe it all to them. They are the one’s who pushed me to be my best in practice,” he said. “Going against those guys every day in practice for 2-3 years definitely helped make me a better wrestler.”

During the Purple Riders season-opening competition, Lewis pinned Wheeling Park’s Calvin McGaha in 5-minutes, 44-seconds in his first bout. He then took down second-seeded Sheldon Harter of West Muskingum, 7-4, in the quarterfinals to earn his spot in the semis where he pinned Claymont’s Cameron Brown.

In the championship finals, the Purple Rider led 2-0 after one period but found himself knotted at 2-all after allowing an escape and then being penalized a point for locking his hands while on the mat. However, he rebounded and recorded an escape early in the third period and then held off the Bulldogs’ junior.