Remembering area’s wrestling Zar
- col-aaron-dorksen
- March 26, 2025
- 1761
A few thoughts from the week in sports …
The area wrestling community is mourning the loss of one of the all-time great contributors to the sport and all-around good guys.
Steve Zarlengo passed away at age 75 on March 24 after suffering a stroke the week before.
Known far and wide simply as “Zar,” the 1968 Triway graduate and longtime Wooster resident was part of the local wrestling scene for more than 50 years.
Zarlengo made his biggest impact as a wrestling official, overseeing mats for 33 years before retiring after working the 2017 OHSAA State Tournament. It’s a huge honor for an OHSAA official or umpire to be picked to officiate at a state tournament, and Zarlengo got the call four times.
“What a way to go out — the state tournament,” Zarlengo told me in 2017 during an interview before the state meet at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center. “For me, it’s like winning the World Series and then retiring.”
Throughout this area and much of the state, Zarlengo earned respect and made countless friends.
The former Triway wrestler and coach-turned-ref taught many of the area’s referees. Charlie Hardman, Todd Mowrer, Tyler Scott, Steve Furlong, Tom Weiser and Jarod Martin all learned from Zar.
“Zar was a true mentor to the sport,” Mowrer told me soon after Zarlengo’s passing. “He was always recruiting new officials and teaching younger officials how to get better.
“He was well known both locally and throughout the state. He was my mentor, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without his mentorship and friendship. We will all miss him dearly.”
Zarlengo also took a certain reporter under his wing starting in 1997 and taught him about the sport of wrestling. It was my first year working for The Daily Record, and I had been assigned to cover wrestling.
Having been a basketball player, I was less than pleased with getting the wrestling beat and knew hardly anything about the sport.
Sports writer Art Holden gave me really good early training. Once some of my articles were published, Zarlengo started talking to me at meets.
“Tell your photographers to start getting my good side in the photos,” Zarlengo joked in probably his first comment to me. “They keep getting my bad side.”
After that, Zarlengo would thank me for the coverage and offer pointers, and I was soon asking him questions. Within a few years, he had introduced me to many other officials, and we’d often go out for a bite to eat and refreshments after tournaments.
I went on to cover 20 state wrestling tournaments and report on area greats like Kollin Moore, Colt Sponseller and Zeb Beam, and each season I thoroughly enjoyed my regular chats with The Zar.
Zarlengo’s personality shone through on the mats and at those postgame gatherings.
“Zar always had a smile and was the life of the party,” said Mowrer, who has followed in his footsteps and become a multi-time state official.
Some of my fondest memories are of Zarlengo officiating Waynedale vs. Northwestern duals and WCAL tournaments. Little county gyms would be full of highly animated fans, some of whom would practically be on the mats.
Here are two of Zar’s most comical stories, as told by the man himself in 2017:
—“Marcus Benson was the lead official at the WCAL Meet one year, and I was just the assistant,” Zarlengo said, meaning he didn’t have to make any calls unless asked for help. “After one of Marcus’ calls went against Waynedale, things got real quiet, and some lady yelled super loud, ’That call sucked! That’s a Zarlengo call!’”
Remember the backup assistant doesn’t actually make calls.
“Marcus and I looked at each other, and we couldn’t even continue because we were laughing so hard,” Zarlengo said. “We had to take a timeout.”
—A fan once scolded Zarlengo by saying, “Use your good eye. Are you blind?”
Fellow official Kelly Stillman from Rocky River then escorted “Zar” onto the mat with special glasses and a cane for the blind.
Zarlengo was Triway’s wrestling coach from 1977-83 but was nonrenewed after the district decided to go in a different direction. He remained with the district as an occupational work experience teacher until his retirement in 2008.
One of the great lessons Zarlengo taught was that when one door shuts, another opens. Going from fired coach to official — instead of turning his back to wrestling — was Zar’s greatest call ever.
“I love officiating,” Zarlengo said in 1997. “I love wrestling. I love being around the area coaches, the kids and the other people at the meets. And it’s a brotherhood we have with each other as officials.”
My condolences go out to Zarlengo’s wife Sue and the rest of his family and friends.
Mowrer, I and countless others will be recalling Zarlengo’s contributions and stories for many years to come. Thanks for the memories, Zar.
Parting shots
Major League Baseball Opening Day is my favorite day on the sports calendar.
I love to see baseball return with games that count, see what players are where and know that summer is soon to follow.
Even when the Indians were bad for most of the late 1970s and 1980s, it was fun to see how the new lineups were set up, watch new Indians for the first time and hope that maybe “this is the year.”
For as much as we complain about the Dolan ownership team, the Guardians have been consistently good in the 2000s, especially as of late. The Guardians have made the playoffs six times since 2016.
Despite losing Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez, I’m still optimistic Cleveland can make another playoff push. I think it will be tough, though, unless the starting pitchers can perform really well and stay healthy.
The Guardians’ lineup at Kansas City for the opening series this week was expected to look like this: Steven Kwan (LF), Jose Ramirez (3B), Lane Thomas (CF), Carlos Santana (1B), Jhonkensy Noel or Nolan Jones (RF), Kyle Manzardo (DH), Gabriel Arias (2B), Bo Naylor (C) and Brayan Roccho (SS).
What’s the first thing you think of when you see that lineup — well, besides I’ve never seen anyone spell Bryan as Brayan?
My answer: There are a lot of players who need to step up and hit much better than they did in 2024, especially Thomas, Noel, Arias and Naylor.
—The Ohio State baseball team lost its coach after last season and then had several key players transfer. The Buckeyes have struggled out of the gate with a 6-15 (0-6 Big Ten) record under first-year coach Justin Haire.
However, it’s great to see Wooster High graduate Tyler Pettorini remain hot for Ohio State. The senior infielder led the Buckeyes in batting average (.333) and home runs (six) and was second in RBI (23) entering the week. I look forward to going to Columbus to watch the Buckeyes in April.
Aaron Dorksen can be emailed at aarondorksen24@gmail.com.