Several area Division III wrestlers earned opening-round victories Friday at the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Tournament, advancing to Saturday morning’s quarterfinals at the Schottenstein Center.
Newcomerstown heavyweight Martin Hernandez secured a spot in the championship bracket quarterfinals with a 5–3 decision over Canton Central Catholic’s Axel Estrada in the 285-pound division.
Garaway had three wrestlers advance with first-round wins. At 106 pounds, Bryce Books pinned Jose Figueroa of Willard in 1:12. Braylon Books followed with a strong showing at 144 pounds, earning a 13–3 major decision over Brady Hamilton of Coldwater. At 175 pounds, Matt Frey advanced after pinning Dalton’s Aiden Pelfrey in 3:03.
Sandy Valley’s Owen Simpson also moved on in the championship bracket, defeating Elmwood’s Zachary Schafer 13–6 at 132 pounds.
Several other area wrestlers dropped their opening matches and moved to the consolation side of the bracket, where they must win to remain in medal contention.
Sandy Valley’s Asher Crissey fell by technical fall to Trinity’s Derion Williams at 120 pounds. Garaway wrestlers Lukas Miller (113), Mitchell Tetreault (150), Colton Domer (165), Dillon King (190) and Thomas Grimm (215) also fell to the consolation bracket after opening-round losses.
Fairless heavyweight Joey Benson fell by pin to Waynedale’s Brandon Walters in 1:44 and will continue wrestling in the consolation rounds. Canton Central Catholic’s Axel Estrada also dropped to the consolation bracket following his match with Hernandez.
In the state tournament format, wrestlers who win their opening matches advance to Saturday morning’s quarterfinal round, while first-round losers continue in the consolation bracket.
