Hornets earn EOWL title

Malvern captured the D-4 team title and crowned one champion in the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League (EOWL) tournament last weekend.
The event was held at Austintown Fitch High School and included more than 200 competitors from 27 schools, competing in four divisions. Malvern placed 11th in overall team standings.
Junior Tyson Clear earned the 165 lb. title with a 13-1 decision over Quinn Callock of Alliance.
Three other Hornets earned podium spots.
Senior Zach Babiczuk (215 lbs.) placed fourth while juniors Van Steele (138) and Gabe Campbell (144) both placed sixth.
“I’m proud of the way the team wrestled this weekend,” said Malvern Coach Robbie Wilson. “We didn’t have the best opening round, but our team responded and eight of our boys made it to within one match of placing.” 
Wilson said the win was special.
“To win the EOWL D-4 title our first year in the league is really special. This is the first wrestling league championship I have been a part of at Malvern and I’m excited for the kids on the team.”

The coach had praise for all his placers.
“Tyson had another great weekend. Our expectations for him are sky high right now and we look for him to make some noise as we close out the year.”
“Zach also had a good weekend. He was very close to making the finals and wrestled a tough placement match. Him placing as high as he did was huge for us scoring wise and was a huge part of us winning our division.”
“Gabe and Van are wrestling as good as I have seen them wrestle. Both of them fought their way through the consolation bracket to place and continue to show us how good they can truly be.”
The Hornets will compete in the Inter Valley Conference (IVC) tournament Feb. 14 at Claymont High School.