By: Kyle Spence
A trio of local Juniors each reached the semi-finals in their respective weight classes on day two of the OHSAA Boys State Wrestling Tournament.
Awsom Mitchell (175) started the day with a 1-0 victory over Brandon Bruce-Bey of Trinity. In the semi-finals, he wrestled Aiden Helmke of Tinora to a 4-2 victory to earn his spot in the state finals. Awsom is Triad’s first state finalist since 2003. In the championship match, he will take on Luke James of Milan Edison for the 175-pound DIII State Title. James is a returning two-time state placer.
Owen Pummel (190) started day 2 with a 5-1 victory over Blake Elliott of East Knox. His semi-final match-up placed him against returning state champion Xander Myers of Liberty Center. Myers ended the match with a fall in the second period. Pummel will wrestle in the consolation semi-finals for a chance to compete for 3rd place.
Rounding out the boys trio, Ronnie Thomas (190) of Mechanicsburg defeated Connor Sintobin of Delta 10-8. Much like Pummel, Thomas also wrestled a defending state champion in the semi-finals, Keegan Sell of Garrettsville Garfield. Thomas fell via a 3-0 decision. He will wrestle in the consolation semi-finals on day 3 to determine his placement match.
On the consolation side of things, Nolan Fraley (106), Mechanicsburg, fell short of placement after losing in his second-round consolation bout.
Benjamin Logan’s Evan Carpenter (138) took on Taggart Wade of Akron St. Vincent St. Marys. Carpenter fell 1-0 to end his Raider Career.
Several local girls remained in contention for placement at the start of day 2.
Urbana standout, Libertie Nigh (100) dropped her quarterfinal match to Brianne Graves of Cincinnati Oak Hills. To secure her spot on the podium she defeated Reagan Radtke of Big Walnut with a fall in 2:48. Her match in the consolation quarterfinals saw her take on Summer Batts of Reynoldsburg, which she won by fall in 1:54. Her win solidified a top 6 placement.
Raegan Hites (170) also dropped her quarterfinal bout via a 5-3 decision to Mia Gaetjens of Mogadore. In her second-round consolation match, she took on a familiar opponent Tori Roby from Indian Lake. Hites came out on top after a fall in 2:50. Hites wrestled Paris Willis of Lutheran West in the consolation quarterfinals. Hites won 8-7 and will now finish top 6. She continues her tournament on day 3 in the consolation semi-finals.
Maddie Miller (235) ended her season after a loss to Audrina Pack from Hamilton Township.
Graham continued their dominance in Division II. Winning their respective quarterfinal matches, and securing a top 6 individual finish were Jake Landis, Hayden Hughes, Brogan Tucker, Bryce Kohler, and Gunner Cramblett. Hughes, Tucker, Kohler, and Cramblett all won their semi-final matches and will compete for a state title on Sunday night.
Still alive for the Falcons in the consolation rounds is Blaine Demarco and Jake Landis.
As a team, Graham is currently in 1st place with 109.5 points.
