Fourteen area wrestlers advanced to state championship matches after winning semifinal bouts Saturday at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament at the Schottenstein Center.
In the girls tournament, Perry will have three wrestlers competing for state titles. At 105 pounds, Mia Forberg advanced to the finals with a 20-5 technical fall in her semifinal match. Defending state champion Carolyn Geckler reached the 130-pound championship match after recording a pin in 1:16 in the semifinal round. Teammate Emma Shephard also moved into the finals at 140 pounds, winning her semifinal bout to secure a spot in the title match.
United senior Auston Brown advanced to the 135-pound state final with a semifinal victory, moving one win away from a state championship.
Carrollton’s Riley Alborn also reached the finals at 190 pounds, winning her semifinal match to earn a berth in the championship round.
East Liverpool’s Paige Cowan also advanced to the championship round, defeating Liberty Johnson of Clermont Northeastern, 6-2, in her semifinal match.
In Division III, Tuslaw sophomore Logan Haer advanced to the state championship match with a 9-4 decision in the semifinals.
In Division II, four additional area wrestlers advanced to state title matches. Canton South’s Deangelo Spear earned a spot in the 285-pound final with a 9-4 semifinal win. Claymont’s Kamden Stout moved into the 165-pound championship bout by posting a 7-4 sudden victory in the semifinals. Beaver’s Jake Hughes also reached the finals, winning his 157-pound semifinal match 4-2. West Branch’s Beau Nezbeth also advanced to the state finals.
In Division I, Perry added four more finalists. Liston Seibert advanced to the 132-pound title match with a 7-1 semifinal victory. Mason Rohr moved into the 144-pound championship bout after a 7-0 semifinal win. At 175 pounds, Brennan Warwick rolled into the finals with a 16-1 technical fall, and Caige Horak reached the championship round with a 9-1 major decision in the 190-pound semifinals.
The state championship finals are scheduled for Sunday night in Columbus.
