From Carrollton, Malvern and Minerva Six champions, 19 sectional placers head to district competition

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By Leigh Ann Rutledge

CCM Reporter

Twenty-five area wrestlers continue their quest to the state tournament after competing in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OSHAA) individual sectional tournaments held Feb. 27.

Carrollton and Malvern wrestling teams each have eight wrestlers advancing to the district tournaments March 5 and 6. Minerva has nine wrestlers advancing. The top four finishers in each bracket advanced to district competition.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the competitions were broken down into two sessions. The first included brackets for 106 lbs. – 145 lbs. The second session was 152 lbs. – 285 lbs. Visitors were also limited, but the few who filled the seats, kept the volume high. Cheers, claps and shouts of “two” could be heard during the sessions.

Carrollton and Minerva competed in the Division II sectionals at Claymont while Malvern competed in Division III sectionals at Sandy Valley.

Warrior freshmen Kolten Barker (106 lbs.) and Josh Carman (113 lbs.) and senior Evan Lewis (160 lbs.) placed first; freshman, Levi Pidgeon (120 lbs.) and senior Brandon Brown (138 lbs.), second; junior Dom Speelman (145 lbs.), third; and juniors, Brody Wade (126 lbs.) and Jaden Powell (170 lbs.), fourth.

Minerva seniors Jacob Norris (120 lbs.) and Jarrett Burress (285 lbs.) placed first; freshman Connor Norris (106 lbs.), junior Nick Chaddock (170 lbs.) and senior Logan Williams (220 lbs.) placed second; sophomores Andrew Strader (113 lbs.) and Anthony Fletcher (126 lbs.), junior Garrett Hilliard (182 lbs.) and sophomore Kaiden Haines (195 lbs.) placed third.

Malvern junior Johnny Walker (120 lbs.) placed first; freshman TJ Proctor (113 lbs.) placed second; freshman Manny Walker (132 lbs.), juniors, Collin Greene (182 lbs.) and Sam Foster (195 lbs.) third; sophomores, Xavier Watson (170 lbs.) and Frank McClelland (285 lbs.) and freshman Zach Babiczuk (220 lbs.), fourth.

Minerva won the Claymont sectional title with 180 points. Carrollton placed second with 176, followed by Tri-Valley 166.5; Indian Creek 138 and Indian Valley, 125.5. Claymont placed seventh with 114 points. Malvern placed fourth as a team.