State Wrestling: More than 30 area grapplers heading to Columbus
More than 30 area wrestlers are in the state tournament in Columbus that starts Friday.
Sixteen area schools are represented and Howland's Adam Heckman (132 lbs.) who's back after finishing fourth in 2023.
"Every wrestling match down there is a fight, there's close matches and you have to keep good position and keep trudging," said Heckman.
Canfield's Tyler Scharrer ( 138 lbs.) is back in the state tournament for a third year.
"The training I put in as put in in the off season, wrestling with my drill partners will help me succeed," said Scharrer who finished third last year.
Girls wrestling is in second year being sanctioned by the Ohio High School Association and 11 area young women are in the tournament.
"I really think being coachable is an important part of it," said first year participant Ilani Jones (135 lbs.) of Salem. "If you have a good drive and effort, I think it takes you far."
Hubbard's Emily Flynn (130 lbs.) is back in Columbus for a second straight year.
"I know I have a rough bracket and I know a lot of the girls personally," said Flynn. " I'll definitely be more prepared this year and once I get down there and start practicing and wrestling around I'll calm down."
Its the best of the best at the tournament and Heckman said it the best. " Its great competition, but you just have to show your greater."
Below are the local participants:
BOYS
DIVISION I
215 lbs. Mark Stankorb Austintown Fitch
DIVISION II
106 lbs. Cody Carpenter Girard
Justin Fisher Beaver Local
113 lbs. Tristan Eckles Beaver Local
132 lbs. Adam Heckman Howland
Robert Buchheit Beaver Local
138 lbs. Tyler Scharrer Canfield
144 lbs. Joey Kana Salem
157 lbs. Ryan Chafins Beaver Local
165 lbs. Justin Cox Beaver Local
175 lbs. Aiden Stecker Salem
Gabe Morgan Beaver Local
Gabe Miller Canfield
190 lbs. Alex Hackwelder Hubbard
Christopher Mijavec Howland
215 lbs. Isaac Griffith Girard
285 lbs. Vince Luce Canfield
Nick Bowser Hubbard
DIVISION III
157 lbs. Jermaine Watson Liberty
165 lbs. Tyson Seesholtz South Range
175 lbs. Gabe Blissenbach Southern Local
190 lbs. Johnny Bailey Southern Local
285 lbs. Dallas McCracken United Local
GIRLS
100 lbs. Ella Thomas Poland
105 lbs. Sloan McNally Boardman
110 lbs. Paige Cowan East Liverpool
125 lbs. Auston Brown Beaver Local
130 lbs. Emily Flynn Hubbard
135 lbs. Ilani Jones Salem
Madison Burns Howland
145 lbs. Makyah Newlun East Liverpool
Annika Murray Salem
190 lbs, Jocelyn Brink West Branch
235 lbs. Dakota McCracken United Local
