Salem captures Div. II title at Eastern Ohio Wrestling League | News, Sports, Jobs

Salem’s Xavier Ansman (top) takes on West Branch’s Trenton Stryffeler in 165-pound action at the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League Championships on Saturday. (Photo by Gary Leininger)

AUSTINTOWN — Beaver Local’s Bobby Buchheit and Crestview’s A.J. Coppersmith put on stellar performances in capturing their respective weight classes on Saturday at the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League Championships at Austintown Fitch High School.

Buchheit, a freshman standout at 120 pounds, scored a 9-1 major decision over Louisville freshman Beau Nezbeth. Buchheit, an OVAC champion a week ago, is now 23-4.

Coppersmith improved to 25-1 on the season in a thrilling 6-5 decision over Waterloo’s Justin Fox in the 157-pound final.

Austintown Fitch won the overall title with 183.5 points. Salem was the EOWL Div. II champion, while Garfield was named the Div. III champion and South Range the Div. IV champion. The EOWL divisions are not reflective of the OHSAA divisions.

Beaver Local’s Gabe Morgan made the final at 175 but was disqualified after performing an illegal move on Canfield’s Caden Kohout. Kohout was injured on the maneuver and could not continue, so he was awarded the win.

Salem’s Ryan Kamperman fought to the end in his 5-3 loss to Conneaut’s Daren Christine in the 285-pound final.