18 Mahoning Valley wrestlers honored at state tournament
The greater Mahoning Valley garnered 18 placewinners — 10 boys and eight girls — during the annual State High School Wrestling Championships that concluded Sunday evening at Ohio State University’s Value City Arena.
BOYS
Leading the area boys division was Howland’s Adam Heckman who was the Division II state runner-up at 132 pounds. Heckman was defeated by Columbus Bishop Hartley’s Aiden King 11-7 in his finals bout.
Other area boys’ state placewinners included Hubbard’s Nick Bowser (fourth, D2, 285 pounds), Beaver Local’s Robert Buchheit (fifth, D2 132), Beaver Local’s Gabe Morgan (sixth, D2, 175), East Liverpool’s Tristan Eckles (seventh, D2, 113), Girard’s Isaac Griffith (seventh, D2, 215 pounds), Beaver Local’s Justuce Fisher (eighth, D2, 106) and Beaver Local’s Ryan Chafins (eighth, D2, 157).
The St. Paris Graham Falcons won another Division II state championship with 135.5 points, while Medina Buckeye was runner-up with 125 points. Locally, Beaver Local and Howland tied for 19th with 25 points, Hubbard tied Canton South for 30th with 19 points, Girard was 38th with 13 points, East Liverpool was 32nd with seven points, Canfield was 62nd with four points, and Salem was 67th with three points.
The area had no placers in the Division I boys’ ranks.
Winning the D1 state team crown was Lakewood St. Edward with 226.5 points, while Perrysburg was the state runner-up with 137.5.
In Division III, Southern’s Gabe Blissenbach was third at 175 pounds, while United ’s Dallas McCracken was third at 285.
The Milan Edison Chargers won the Division III state title with 94 points, while the Barnesville Shamrocks were the state runner-up with 85.5 points. Locally, Southern was 32nd with 20 points and United was 43rd with 15 points.
GIRLS
Pacing the area girls at state was East Liverpool’s Makyah Newlun who captured the 145-pound state championship after pinning Eaton’s Caroline Klawon in just 1:23 of her title match.
Other Mahoning Valley place winners included United’s Auston Brown (third, 125), Poland’s Ella Thomas (fourth, 106), Howland’s Madison Burns (fifth, 135), Hubbard’s Emily Flynn (sixth, 130), Salem’s Annika Murray (sixth, 145), United’s Dakota McCracken (seventh, 235) and East Liverpool’s Paige Cowan (eighth, 110).
Winning the girls’ team state championship was Olentangy Orange with 95 points, outdistancing second-place Harrison which finished with 83 points. Locally, East Liverpool was 11th with 34 points, United was 12th with 33 points, Poland was 50th with 16 points), Salem was 57th with 12 points, Hubbard was 62nd with 11 points, j Howland was 71st with nine points) and West Branch was 89th with three points.