Area wrestling teams competed in the District Tournament over the weekend.
Division II
Graham won the Division II District title at Wilmington High School with 270 team points.
Bellefontaine competed at Wilmington, finishing 31 out of 46 teams.
For the Chiefs, Jared Young (106) went 2-2 with 1 pin and 1 decision, and Parker Knox (175) also went 2-2 and collected 2 pins. Zane Tevis (138) finished 0-2.
Jared and Parker were both 1 win short of placing in the top six, and two wins short of qualifying for state. Jared was especially close after falling in overtime during his match to place.
“We are proud of Jared, Zane, and Parker after this weekend,” said BHS head coach Aaron LaBatt. “This was all their first time at the district meet. Two of them were able to get a few wins and that is huge. Jared wrestled hard all weekend and did a great job for being a freshman. He went into overtime during his last match and was one move away from placing. He has a lot to feel good about and build on.”
Parker has really grown in the last two weeks as a wrestler. He got a first-round win here and beat some solid kids. His only two losses were to the eventual champion and the fourth-place finisher. Like Jared, there is a lot of potential and momentum to build on for next season. Zane’s goal was just to get to the district. But like any good competitor, once he did, he wanted to achieve more. He had two close matches, even if it doesn’t show on paper. He took his abilities to another level this season and we’re proud of him for that.”
Benjamin Logan’s Kendall Plikerd also competed at Wilmington. Plikerd finished 6th at the District Tournament.
Division III
Indian Lake, Triad, and West Liberty-Salem competed in the District tournament at Troy’s Hobart Arena.
The Lakers finished 9th out of 52 teams.
Owen Pummel (190) advanced to the state tournament with a 3rd place finish.
Indian Lake also had three other district places: Ke’Shawn Blackwell (106) and Dylan Valerio (heavyweight) were 5th and Czar Dickson (132) came in 6th.
Triad tied for 32nd.
Awesom Mitchell finished 5th.
West Liberty-Salem placed 40th at Hobart Arena.
Jacob Griffith went 2-2 on the day, Matthew Christison finished 1-2, and Wylie Harbour was 0-2.
