The Benjamin Logan High School wrestling team made history on Saturday, winning their first Sectional Championship since 1994 at the OHSAA Division 2 sectional tournament held at Northwestern High School.
Even though they were down several wrestlers due to weight class gaps, the Raiders rose to the challenge, earning the top spot in the tournament.
Coach Kyle Seeley said, “It was talked all week about the opportunity that was in front of us, but to pull it off, especially with giving up so many weight classes, it was going to take a full team effort. The Raiders were up for the challenge and won it!”
Benjamin Logan’s sectional champions were Cooper Buck at 120 pounds, Owen Weaks at 144 pounds, Ethan Carpenter at 175 pounds, and Owen Jordan at 190 pounds.
Carter Buck at 132 pounds, Kyle Kibler at 138 pounds, and Hayden Hites at 165 pounds earned runner-up honors.
Levi Achor placed 3rd at 215 pounds, and several other wrestlers, including Maxwell Troth, competed well in their respective weight classes.
The team now advances to the Division 2 district tournament in Wilmington, where the top four finishers in each weight class will qualify for the state meet.
Over at the same sectional tournament, Bellefontaine High School also saw success.
Senior Jeffrey Smith highlighted the day by placing 4th at 113 pounds, securing a spot at the district tournament.
He finished with a 2-2 record, including a pin and a tech fall. Jared Young, competing at 126 pounds, placed 6th, and Noah Torsell added another victory at 175 pounds.
The district tournament in Wilmington will take place on Friday and Saturday, where the top four in each weight class will move on to the state meet.
The Indian Lake Girls Wrestling team had great individual performances at the pre-regional tournament and finished 4th overall as a team.
Junior Maddison Miller took home 1st place, while Augusta Biederman secured 2nd.
Myiah Ankrom earned 4th, and freshmen Diem Martin and Karsyn Newkirk wrestled their way to 5th and 3rd, respectively.
Sophomore Addy Roby and junior Annie Rapp also did well.
All team members advance to the regional tournament next weekend, hoping for state qualification.
The Indian Lake boys wrestling team also were at Saturday’s Sectional meet in Covington.
Christopher Timms topped the podium as a sectional champion, securing 1st place.
Owen Pummel, Tristan Shoffner, and Jordan Henderson, each earned 2nd place finishes.
KeShawn Blackwell placed 3rd, while Czar Dickson earned 4th.
Braden Riffel and Gavin Henry each earned 5th and Cash Scott took 6th place.
The team is set to compete in the upcoming district meet.
The Tigers finished 8th out of 22 teams, qualifying three wrestlers for the District Championships at Troy Hobart Arena this coming weekend., and also a fourth wrestler who placed 5th and earned the spot as a District alternate.
Lucas Merriman went undefeated at 126 pounds, with three wins, including two tech falls, to secure the Sectional Title.
Silas Krabill, competing at 165 pounds, went 4-1, with two pins and two tech falls, placing 3rd overall.
Kyler Langhardt also made a strong showing at 138 pounds, finishing 4th after going 4-2 with three pins.
Wyatt Shoemaker wrestled tough at 106 pounds, finishing 1-2 and earning a District alternate position by placing 5th.
Zayden Shafer at 113 pounds (2-3, 6th place), Lance Saylor at 132 pounds (1-2), Derek Wall at 144 pounds (1-2), Tim Krabill at 175 pounds (1-2), and Maverick Reames at 215 pounds (1-2).
Robert Park, at 157 pounds, wrestled hard but went 0-2, and did not place.
