Local wrestlers bow out of tournament

The season came to an end for wrestlers from Van Wert, Crestview and Lincolnview, as they bowed out at district tournaments held in Norwalk and Troy on Friday and Saturday.

Division II at Norwalk

Xavier Leal (120) won his opening match with a pin of Vermilion’s Ashton Juszczyk in 3:28, then dropped his following two matches, a pin by Naszir Jackson, Marion-Franklin (3:34) and 8-4 to Caleb Rafferty of Hebron Lakewood to end his season.

Division III at Troy

Local wrestlers had a tough time at the always powerful Division III districts, held at Hobert Arena at Troy High School on Friday and Saturday.

Cretsview’s Zayden Martin (150) opened with a pin of Ben Sloan of Ironton (2:29), but then lost to Luke Dolan of Brookville via a 15-3 major decision. He bounced back with a 37 second pin of Matthew Christison of West Liberty Salem in the second consolations, but lost 9-2 to Zeran Brady of Valley View in the third consolations.

Crestview’s Gavin Grubb, Rex Gerardot and Levi Grace had their respective seasons end after going 0-2.

Lincolnview’s Cody Ricker (138) and Dylan Bowyer (175) each saw their respective seasons come to an end during Friday’s portion of district competition, after both went 0-2 on the day.

Tyler Ulery (285) went 2-2 and ended his season as well, after losing his opening round match via pin, then pinned Trenton Brooks of Brookville (2:37) in the first consolation match. He then pinned James Baker of National Trail in just 22 seconds in the second consolation, but lost via pin to Dylan Valerio of Indian Lake in the third consolation match.

Crestview finished 41st with seven points, while Lincolnview finished tied for 42nd with Delphos Jefferson with six points. Legacy Christian won the team title with 163 points.