First Posted: 2/28/2015
LIMA — Last year as a junior, Ada’s Austin Windle became the first-ever state-qualifier and state-placer in school history, as he finished seventh at the Division III state tournament in the 160-pound weight class.
However, a surgery early into this season forced Windle to put wrestling on hold.
But, after winning a sectional title at Saturday’s Division III sectional at Lima Central Catholic, Windle is clearly working his way back to his old form.
At Saturday’s finals, Windle pinned Delphos St. John’s Alex Haunhorst in the championship match in the 170-pound weight class to notch the title. With the win, Windle now stands 16-0 on the season.
“I got my hernia like a week before Christmas,” Windle said. “Then I had the surgery on January 3rd, I think. So, last Friday was my first match back.
“I could run before my surgery and a couple weeks after, but that was about it. I couldn’t lift. I couldn’t do push-ups, sit-ups or any of the simple stuff. Not being able to wrestle about killed me. That’s the longest I’ve sat out since my freshman year. “
For Windle, Saturday’s sectional title was just another step forward on his quest for another state-tournament appearance.
“I don’t feel as confident as I did at the beginning of the year,” Windle said. “But, I don’t feel like I’ve lost too much. I’m a little rusty here and there, but I’m feeling good. The practices in the (wrestling) room have been kicking my tail. All the guys on our team are working hard on getting me into shape. I’m not that far behind right now.”
At Saturday’s sectional, the top four placers in each weight class advance to next weekend’s Division III district tournament at Troy’s Hobart Arena.
Then, the top four placers in each weight class at Troy will compete at the state tournament on March 12-14 at Ohio State.
In Saturday’s final team standings, Coldwater notched the team title with 220 points. Wayne Trace finished second with a score of 148.5. LCC had a solid tournament, finishing a close third (136.5). Allen East (120) came in fourth, while Delphos St. John’s (113) rounded out the top five teams. There were 13 teams in the sectional tournament.
LCC senior Jack Huffman added to his history-making wins total this weekend, as he notched the sectional title at 182 pounds. In the championship match, Huffman (41-6) recorded a hard-fought 6-4 decision over Coldwater’s Jake Schmidt.
Huffman, who placed seventh in the 195-pound weight class at last year’s state tournament, is the all-time wins leader at LCC with 152. Tristan Boyd previously held the record with 146 wins.
“It’s cool passing Boyd,” Huffman said. “Boyd is just one of those names that everyone just holds at a really high level, because of how good he was. He was a great wrestler.”
Delphos St. John’s Wes Buettner continued his winning ways on Saturday as he garnered the title at 195. Buettner (40-3), who was a state-qualifier last season, made quick work of Coldwater’s Mitch Clune in Saturday’s finals, pinning him in 29 seconds.
With the win, Buettner feels confident of his potential draw at Troy.
“It’s important. I’m coming into a pretty solid district,” Buettner said. “There are a couple tough kids in there. So, getting first (at sectionals) puts me in a good spot. Hopefully, I’ll do well there.”
Allen East’s Schuyler Caprella knocked off previously-unbeaten Ruger Goeltzenleuchter from Wayne Trace in the championship bout at 126 pounds to notch the sectional crown.
For Caprella (34-5), winning Saturday’s title was extra special.
“He (Goeltzenleuchter) is one of my buddies from spring wrestling. We drilled with each other all spring and summer. We were just eager to wrestle in the finals. It was a good match,” Caprella said.
For LCC junior Hunter Lucas, it’s all about getting ready for the next step in his quest of getting back to the state tournament. Lucas (21-1) finished fourth at last year’s Division II state tournament at 106 pounds, while enrolled at Shawnee.
“Getting the No. 1 seed is big, going into districts,” Lucas said. “It’s going to be a pretty tough district.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I have to get in a little better shape, but I still have a week.”
Delphos St. John’s sophomore Brett Vonderwell notched his first sectional title. Vonderwell slipped past Ada’s Dylan Hannah in a hard-fought finals match at 160 pounds, 3-2.
Saturday was the first time Vonderwell and Hannah have wrestled each other. However, the unfamiliarity of Hannah’s wrestling style did not concern Vonderwell.
“I really don’t scout anybody. …I just wrestle my own style,” Vonderwell said.
Other area wrestlers winning sectional titles on Saturday include: Allen East’s Brandon Soules (152); Bluffton’s Blake Sampson (285); Coldwater’s Jordan Obringer (138) and Nick Clune (220); LCC’s Kobe Cunningham (106) and Collin Hennon (132).
DIVISION III – MILLBURY LAKE
Ottawa-Glandorf had four wrestlers advance to next weekend’s districts at Fostoria. Le’on Palomo (second, 113), Brent Siefker (fourth, 120), Daniel Beemer (third, 160) and Shaun Gibson (second, 285) all advanced.
DIVISION II – OAK HARBOR
Area wrestlers who advanced to next weekend’s district tournament at Mansfield Senior included: Bath’s Nate Stonehill (fourth, 145) and Isaac Ingram (fourth, 160); Elida’s Austin Selvaggio (fourth, 106), Blaine Hunter (second, 113), Gabe Makin (third, 138) and Noah Meeker (second, 220); Shawnee’s Derek Kuhlman (second, 152), Bailey Young (fourth, 220) and Donald Hughes (third, 285); Wapakoneta’s Brad Beemer (fourth, 113), Tyler Copeland (first, 132), Dallas Ambos (third, 145), Dylan Plaugher (fourth, 152), Heath Newman (first, 170) and Landon Hall (third, 182).
DIVISION II – SANDUSKY
Kenton advanced three wrestlers to next weekend’s district tournament at Mansfield Senior. C.J. Cook (first, 160), Dylan Castle (first, 182) and Tobias Mendoza (fourth, 138) all qualified for districts.
DIVISION I — MANSFIELD
Results had not been posted as of presstime.
