Allen East’s Brogan Paxson (Right) works to pin his opponent, Williamsburg’s Kaleb Barnhart (Right) on Saturday at the DIII District Tournament at Hobart Arena in Troy.
Jackelyn Johnson | The Lima News
Several area athletes earned the right to compete in the state wrestling tournament this weekend at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center.
Here are some things to look out for throughout the final weekend of the season.
Allen East trio looking to make an impact in D-III
Freshman Jordan Neal (144-pound weight class), senior Trenton Gatchell (157), and senior Brogan Paxson (215) are the three Mustangs who will compete at this weekend’s Division III state tournament.
The top four placers in each weight class at the district tournaments qualified for the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championships at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center which takes place this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Neal (46-2) won the district title at the Division III district at Troy this past weekend. Neal also notched the sectional title at Lima Central Catholic the week before.
Gatchell (39-8) is coming off a second-place finish at Troy. This will be Gatchell’s second trip to Columbus. Last season, Gatchell did not place at the state tournament. He hopes to take it to the next level in his final opportunity to compete at the state tournament.
“It (Saturday’s loss in the district finals) is preparing me for next week,” Gatchell said after placing second at Troy. “I feel good. I feel like I’m at my best right now.”
Paxson took last year off from wrestling. This season, he made an immediate impact in his return. Paxson (47-6) placed fourth at Troy.
St. Marys’ duo poised for a run at the state tournament
St. Mary’s junior Tate Hisey is hoping the third time is a charm.
Hisey, a two-time Division II state placer, is aiming for the top step of the awards podium this coming weekend.
Hisey (41-2) won the district title at 126 this past weekend at Norwalk.
Hisey’s teammate Bo Hertenstein (37-3) won the district crown at 150. Last year, as a sophomore, Hertenstein was a state qualifier.
Wapakoneta’s two state qualifiers are aiming for awards podium
At last season’s Division II state tournament, Wapakoneta’s Jace Knous placed seventh in the 190-pound weight class.
This season, as a senior, Knous (31-3) dominated most of his competition in the 215-pound weight class.
Knous placed third at 215 at last weekend’s Division II district tournament at Norwalk to stamp his ticket for the state tournament.
Wapakoneta sophomore Wyatt Buell (51-5) placed third at Norwalk at 175 to qualify for the state tournament for the first time.
Elida’s Kirk looking to wrap up high school career on a high note
Elida senior Skyler Kirk placed second at 138 at this past weekend’s Division II district tournament at Norwalk.
Last season, Kirk qualified for the Division II state tournament but was not permitted to compete because of a skin issue.
Kirk (42-7) notched his 100th career win and won a sectional title this season.
Columbus Grove’s duo heading to the D-III state tournament
Columbus Grove’s Kyle Lathrop punched his ticket for this coming weekend’s Division III state tournament with a third-place finish at 165 at this past weekend’s district tournament at Troy.
Lathrop (37-5), who is making his first trip to the state tournament, said that wrestling at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center has been a goal for a long time.
“I’ve had this dream since I saw Jeff (Meyer, Columbus Grove state champion at 285 in 2021) make it down there during my seventh and eighth-grade years,” Lathrop said. “It has been a goal of mine for a long time. I’m just super thankful for it.”
Teammate Loudon Auchmuty placed fourth at 190 this past weekend at Troy.
Auchmuty (15-10) admitted that he was a little surprised that he qualified for the state tournament.
“It feels amazing,” Auchmuty said after he won his consolation semifinal match that put him into the third-place match at Troy. “To be honest, at the beginning of this year, I did not even consider myself as being a state qualifier, or even having a chance.”
Kessen making second trip to D-III state tournament
Delphos St. John’s sophomore Edward Kessen placed second at 138 at last weekend’s Division III district tournament at Troy.
Last season, Kessen competed at the state tournament but did not place.
Celina’s Miracle returns to the girls state tournament
Last year, the girls had their first sanctioned state tournament as they competed alongside the boys at the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championships at Ohio State.
There is one division for the girls.
Celina’s Kenzie Miracle, as a sophomore, placed seventh in the 105-pound weight class and earned all-Ohio status (top-eight finish) at last year’s state tournament.
This weekend, Miracle (35-7) will once again vie for all-Ohio status as she competes at 105.
James Miracle, Kenzie Miracle’s father, is the coach of the Celina wrestling program.
Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championships at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center, March 8-10
AREA STATE QUALIFIERS
BOYS
Division II
Celina
144: Zach Greber, Sr., 44-7
Elida
138: Skyler Kirk, Sr., 42-7
Kenton
157: Anthony Hunt, Sr., 41-5
St. Marys
126: Tate Hisey, Jr., 41-2
150: Bo Hertenstein, Jr., 37-3
Wapakoneta
175: Wyatt Buell, So., 51-5
215: Jace Knous, Sr., 31-3
Division III
Allen East
144: Jordan Neal, Fr., 46-2
157: Trenton Gatchell, Sr., 39-8
215: Brogan Paxson, Sr., 47-6
Coldwater
132: Austin Hamilton, Sr., 33-14
Columbus Grove
165: Kyle Lathrop, Sr., 37-5
190: Loudon Auchmuty, Sr., 15-10
Delphos St. John’s
138: Edward Kessen, So., 39-6
Parkway
165: Landon Younker, Jr., 36-7
GIRLS
Celina
105: Kenzie Miracle, Jr., 35-7
