Area wrestlers one step from state

LIMA - It’s often described as an emotional rollercoaster.

Every February, local high school wrestlers lay it on the line during the postseason tournament in hopes of still being alive when the state wrestling tournament rolls around the first weekend of March.

For many, just getting an opportunity to wrestle at the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State is a thrill of a lifetime. However, for the fortunate few who have been there before, making it to the top step of the awards podium becomes the ultimate goal.

This past weekend, wrestlers around the state competed at their respective sectional tournaments. The top four placers in each weight class advanced to this weekend’s district tournaments. The top four placers at districts will then get the chance to compete at the state tournament.

Bluffton junior Zach Wilson, who placed fourth in the 140-pound weight class at last year’s Division III state tournament, described the postseason as a brand new season.

"I’m 45-0 on the season, but I’m really 4-0," Wilson said in reference to winning all four matches at Saturday’s Division III sectional tournament at Lima Central Catholic. "Anything that has happened before, doesn’t matter now. This is a new season."

According to the Brakeman Report (an annual projection on high school wrestlers), Wilson is ranked fourth in the state in the 145-pound weight class. Wilson, as well as the other Division III district qualifiers from the LCC sectional, will compete at the district tournament at Kettering Fairmont High School on Friday and Saturday.

Wilson pinned LCC’s Jake Tremoulis in the championship match on Saturday to capture his third sectional title. Wilson will be joined by teammate Kody Koronich, who won the sectional crown at 285.

Unlike Wilson, who has been to the district before, there are some wrestlers who are making their first appearance at the district tournament.

Bath freshman Jared Davis (113) not only made it out of the LCC Division III sectional tournament, but he defeated a very solid wrestler in Coldwater’s Jordan Obringer in the championship match. Davis pinned Obringer in overtime to notch the sectional crown.

Davis said he was a little surprised at winning the sectional title.

"It’s an amazing feeling," Davis said. "To get to districts as a freshman as a first seed is great."

Davis said that going into the district tournament as a first seed will really help his chances.

"It’s very important, because you will wrestle a No. 4 seed and everybody will be shooting for you," Davis said.

For Delphos St. John’s freshman Wes Buettner, there was a little added incentive to make it out of the sectional tournament. At LCC on Saturday, Buettner placed third at 126.

"I had two goals at the beginning of the season," Buettner said. "I wanted to be at least .500 (winning percentage) for the season. And I wanted to make it to districts.

"Also, my (older) brother got fourth place at sectionals as a freshman. I’ve always tried to do better than him. So, I guess I’m one up on him. "

Wes Buettner’s brother Will won the title at 152 pounds on Saturday. Will Buettner is a junior.

Other St. John’s district qualifiers include Logan Heiing (sectional champion at 195), Logan Looser (160), Austin Martin (145), Luke Wrassman (170) and Brett Schwinnen (182).

Bath senior Zavier Meeks, won the sectional title at 132 on Saturday. Meeks, however, is no stranger to the district tournament. On Saturday, Meeks pinned Wayne Trace’s Kameran Clemens to notch his third-career sectional title.

"It was very exciting, but a little nerve-racking, because you have to live up to the expectations," Meeks said. "When you’re the No. 1 seed then people will be shooting for you. But, I love the competition."

Other Bath district qualifiers include Trey Wheeler (120), Jake Bible (126), Austin Siefker (182) and Alex LeMarr (220).

Delphos Jefferson senior Curtis Miller won the 220-pound Division III sectional title at LCC on Saturday. Miller (48-0) is the projected state champion in Division III.

Last season, Miller unfortunately battled an illness during the week of the state tournament and was unable to compete in Columbus.

In 2009, Stuart Miller, his brother, went 51-0 en route to a Division III state title at 215 pounds. Ironically, Stuart also was the projected state champion throughout his senior season.

Joining Miller at the district tournament are teammates Gaige Rassman (113), Darren Edinger (152), Colin McConnahea (195) and Quintin Wessell (285).

Shawnee senior Colin McDermitt (41-2) who finished third at last year’s state tournament at 125, is coming off a Division II sectional championship this past weekend. McDermitt is ranked third in this year’s Brakeman Report (132). McDermitt, along with all the district qualifiers from the Division II sectional at Shawnee, will compete at the district tournament at Marion on Friday and Saturday.

Teammates Derek Kuhlman (113), Trace Plaugher (120) and Kane Plaugher (126) will join McDermitt.

In the 106-pound weight class in Division II, Wapakoneta’s John Martin is ranked sixth. The two-time state qualifier is coming off his second sectional title this past weekend. Teammates Dallas Ambos (126), Nathan Valentine (138), Holden Hengstler (170), Colton Brown (195) and Nick Warner (285) will be making the trip to districts.

Returning state qualifiers, Colt Lovejoy (138), J.R. Conyers (160) head the list of Allen East district grapplers this coming weekend. At last year’s state tournament, Lovejoy placed seventh (130), while Conyers went 0-2 in the tournament.

Tyler Baker (120), Max McAdoo (170) and Grant Criblez (182) will also compete for the Mustangs.

Zach Green (152)was the only Elida qualifier for the district tournament at Marion. Green was the lone sectional champion for Elida this past weekend at Shawnee. Other district qualifiers from Elida include Nick Pauff (132), Tyler Dunlap (145), Ian Dukehart (182), Nickoli Sackinger (195) and Theran Carroll (220).

Junior Wyatt Karhoff leads Ottawa-Glandorf to the Division III district tournament at Owens Community College. Karhoff (220) finished second at the Division III sectional at Elmwood. Teammate Mathias Klausing (132) finished third at Elmwood and will also compete this weekend.

Brandon McCormick (126), Jake Tremoulis (145), Bobby Sunderhaus (170) and David Gremling (182) lead the list of Lima Central Catholic district qualifiers. Vincent Fosburgh (152) and Jake Huffman (195) will also compete for the Thunderbirds.

Tregg Keysor (106) was the lone sectional champion for Columbus Grove at the Division III sectional at LCC. Teammate Gavin Windau was second at 195.

Spencerville will be sending Cory Binkley (132, Lucas Kroskoup (220) and Logan Vandemark (285) to districts.

Alex Wick (170) will be representing Lima Senior. Van Wert’s Zack Burk (126) and Terrin Contreras (285) both finished second at sectionals.