Columbus Grove’s Boat Thompson looks to score points against Bethel-Tate’s C.J. Stober during Saturday’s Division III district tournament in Troy.
Jose Nogueras | The Lima News
TROY — Last season, Allen East heavyweight Eli Criblez placed fourth at the Division III state wrestling tournament.
The year before, Criblez was runner-up.
Now, a senior, Criblez wants to close out his illustrious high school wrestling career on an even higher note.
At this weekend’s Division III district tournament at Troy’s Hobart Arena, Criblez stamped his ticket for the state tournament by winning his first ever district title.
In Saturday’s finals, Criblez (45-1) defeated Miami East’s Dustin Winner, 3-0, to win the district crown.
With winning the district title, Criblez will be a No.1 seed at the state tournament. However, Criblez said he does not get caught up in the seeding.
“The seeding is just a number in my mind,” Criblez said. “It doesn’t matter how good you are. It’s (about) who comes that day. … Who has prepared the most. I’m going to come back with that first-place medal. That’s the only thing that I’ve been dreaming about.”
The top four placers in each weight class at the district tournament advance to next weekend’s state tournament at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center on March 10-12.
On Friday, the first day of the district tournament, Criblez notched his 150th career win.
Fox defeats Schafer
After Coldwater senior Will Fox was pinned by Columbus Grove senior AJ Schafer at last weekend’s sectional tournament, Fox has been waiting for the opportunity to avenge that loss.
At Saturday’s finals in the 215-pound weight class, Fox got his opportunity, and he made the most of it.
Fox (39-4) defeated Schafer (28-3) in the championship match, 9-3.
Last season, both Fox and Schafer qualified for the state tournament, but did not make it to the awards podium in Columbus.
“AJ (Shafer) is really good,” Fox said. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to see him again next week in the finals.”
Last season, Fox competed as a heavyweight, despite weighing around 230 pounds. He feels that he has a chance this season, competing in the lower weight class.
“Hopefully I can place pretty high – top four. Nobody at Coldwater has ever gotten top four (at state),” Fox said.
Schafer feels confident about his chances next weekend.
“I’m in the same spot I was last year, second place out of district,” Schafer said. “I think, honestly, it was tougher this year. I think that’s going to pay off in the long run.
“I think this year, coming down (to the state tournament) with some experience is going to help out with my first match (at the state tournament). There were a lot of nerves last year. Being there last year is definitely going to help with nerves.”
Kade Wireman places 3rd
After placing third at last year’s state tournament in the 150-pound weight class, Allen East’s Kade Wireman has been focused on closing out his senior season on a high note.
At Troy, Wireman (46-4) lost a tough semifinal match to Legacy Christian’s Ethan Cooper by way of a pin, but battled back to notch third and stamp his fourth ticket to the state tournament.
“Coming back (after Saturday’s semifinal loss), I knew it was going to be a fight,” Wireman said. “Everyone knows that if I don’t win, that I’m not going to state. But I’ve been here enough to know, I just have to fight a little more and wrestle my way. … And we got it done.”
Gatchell finishes 2nd
Allen East junior Trenton Gatchell (48-7) placed second in the 165-pound weight class on Saturday. Kettering Alter’s Rod Owens defeated Gatchell in the championship match, 5-2.
Gatchell was pleased with how he performed this weekend. However, he said he has another goal set for next weekend.
“It was tough,” Gatchell said about the district tournament. “There’s been a lot of insane matches. But I’m glad that I got the goal (qualifying for state tournament) out of the way. Now, I’m going to see if I can place.”
Kessen advances
Delphos St. John’s freshman Edward Kessen has not backed down from the competition this season.
In most cases, he has controlled most of his competition in his first year in high school.
On Saturday, Kessen (36-9) placed fourth in the 132-pound weight class.
“I’m so happy. … It was me and my dad’s goal,” Kessen said. “I made it come true. I did what he told me to do, and I won. So, I’m just really happy.”
Jurek, Johnson off to state
Spencerville is sending two to the state tournament.
In the 190-pound weight class, Maddox Jurek (42-6) placed fourth. Teammate Logan Johnson (40-8) placed fourth at 215.
Both Jurek and Johnson had to battle back from earlier losses in the tournament to earn themselves spots on the awards podium.
Jurek said there was no time to dwell on his early setback in the tournament.
“With the guys out here, if you sit there and dwell on your losses, you’ll end up getting put down and knocked out (of the district tournament),” Jurek said. “That’s what I did last year. … That’s why I didn’t punch my ticket to state.”
Added Johnson, “I’m just glad I was able to finish today. … To win them all today, after that loss yesterday.”
Ada’s McClain, Indian Lake’s Pummel advance
Ada junior Clayton McClain (40-10) placed fourth in the 144-pound weight class Saturday to advance to the state tournament.
Indian Lake sophomore Owen Pummel (39-6) placed third at 190 on Saturday.
Allen East has best area team finish
The Mustangs finished seventh overall in the team standings Saturday at Troy with 76 points. Indian Lake (65, 9th), Columbus Grove (62, 11th), Spencerville (60, 12th) and Coldwater (58.5, 13th) were the next closest area teams.
Legacy Christian won the team title with 163 points.
Mark Altstaetter wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
