A number of area Division II 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.
Canton South had two wrestlers move into the championship bracket quarterfinals. At 113 pounds, Dominic Prosperi recorded a 14–1 major decision over Blaine Napier of Franklin. Heavyweight Deangelo Spear followed with a 5–1 decision over Steubenville’s Beau Hudson.
Claymont also produced two quarterfinalists. DreVonn Searcy advanced at 138 pounds with a 12–2 major decision over Ky’Ron Fikes of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, while Kamden Stout moved on at 165 pounds with a 19–3 technical fall over Miles D’Orazio of Columbus Watterson.
West Branch’s Beau Nezbeth secured a quarterfinal berth at 150 pounds with a 7–0 decision over Reed Bodie of Columbus DeSales.
Alliance’s John Beltz advanced at 157 pounds with a pin of Malachi Jackson of Reading in 2:38.
Beaver Local also had multiple wrestlers advance in the championship bracket. Robert Buchheit earned a 3–2 tiebreaker decision over Gavin Miller of Ontario at 150 pounds, Jake Hughes pinned Ethan Lewis of Upper Sandusky in 1:40 at 157 pounds and Evan Ours posted a 7–1 decision over Luke Sanchez of Granville at 165 pounds.
Steubenville’s Cooper Smith advanced at 144 pounds with a 7–0 decision over Omar Leon of Akron Springfield, while teammate Landon Crosier moved on at 175 pounds after receiving a default victory over Kahle Albright of Wauseon.
West Branch’s Beau Nezbeth also advanced in the championship bracket, earning a 7–0 decision over Reed Bodie of Columbus DeSales at 150 pounds to secure a spot in Saturday morning’s quarterfinals.
Several other area wrestlers dropped their opening-round matches but remained alive by winning in the consolation bracket.
Carrollton’s Sawyer Broadwater stayed in medal contention at 113 pounds with an 8–1 consolation win over Ethan Lewis of Roger Bacon.
Indian Valley’s Bronko Braun also kept his season alive at 120 pounds with a 7–0 decision over Declan Hutt of La Salle.
Claymont’s Nile Abbuhl remained in the tournament at 144 pounds with a pin of Max Monahan of McNicholas in 3:31.
Alliance’s Andrew Pennington continued his tournament run at 175 pounds, edging Lakoda Leedy of Clear Fork 4–1 in sudden victory.
Indian Creek heavyweight Luke McMillion stayed alive in the bracket with a pin of Keith Butler of Alter in 2:58.
Steubenville’s Beau Hudson rebounded after his opening-round loss with a 4–0 decision over Alex Hinojosa of Defiance in the consolation round.
Other area wrestlers saw their seasons end Friday after dropping both their opening and consolation matches, including Beaver Local’s John Burkett (113), Indian Valley’s Brock Albright (126), Carrollton’s Cael Lowdermilk (138), Minerva’s Jason Sivy (150), Minerva’s Ethan Weaver (165) and Claymont’s Daniel McGarr (132).
Additional wrestlers from the area who lost their opening-round matches included Beaver Local’s Jordan Bates (106), Indian Valley’s Bodie Raymond (113) and Steubenville’s Cole Harvey (120), each of whom moved into the consolation bracket.
In the state tournament format, wrestlers who win their opening-round matches advance to Saturday morning’s championship quarterfinals, while those who lose must work through the consolation bracket to remain in medal contention.
Competition continues Saturday morning in Columbus.
