By Kyle Spence
Standout sophomore Owen Pummel (190) opened up day 2 of the division III OHSAA state tournament with a tough loss in the quarterfinal round. Pummel fell by a score of 11-0 to Keegan Sell of Garrettsville Garfield.
Following his round 2 loss, he took the mat against Senior Colton Sparks from Plymouth. After a scoreless first period, Sparks chose to start in the down position. After a reversal that put Pummel to his back, he fell via fall in 1:56 to end his 2nd high school season.
Around the area, Mechanicsburg saw Sophomore Ronnie Thomas (190) win his quarterfinals match to reach the semifinals against Wyat Ripke of Archbold. His win in the quarterfinals guaranteed him a top 6 finish. In his semifinal match, he fell by a score of 6-3.
Teammates, freshman Nolan Fraley (106) and Senior Zane Hitchcock (215,) started their day off in the 2nd round of the consolation bracket. Fraley fell 5-2 to Stephen Patterson from Applecreek Waynedale, falling one win short of placing. To solidify a top 8 placement, Hitchcock defeated Aeschliman of Archbold 4-3. In the evening session, Hitchcock wrestled Caleb Cunningham of Ashland Crestview to a 3-2 win to move into top 6 placement. He will take on Uzonna Nzekwe of Beachwood in the consolation semi-finals.
Senior female wrestler Josie Davis (125) of Sidney reached the semi-finals after a win in her quarterfinals match. In her semifinal match she wrestled Anna Madi of Brecksville where she lost via default.
In Division II, Graham holds steady at the top of the team score with 122.5 points; a 26 point lead over 2nd place Columbus St. Francis DeSales. Graham has four wrestlers in the finals competing for a state championship.
