Newark Catholic, Northridge each win three sectional wrestling titles

On Feb 26, 2023

Licking County wrestlers won seven of the 14 weight classes Saturday during the Division III sectional tournament at Heath.

A trio apiece from Newark Catholic and Northridge led the way, qualifying to next week’s district tournament at Harrison Central. Utica also had a champion.

NC’s Brian Luft (132) went 4-0 with three pins and a 6-5 victory against Northridge’s Treven Angus in the final, and teammate Brendan Sheehan (165) went 3-0 with one pin and a 9-5 victory against Westfall’s Gage Bolt, who was unbeaten, in the final. Griffin Halenar (Hwt.) pinned all three of his opponents for the Green Wave, including Westfall’s Hunter Probasco in the final.

Northridge’s Carter Yorde (106) had a pair of pins, including against Utica’s Anthony Unger in the final, and teammate Haedyn Parman (120) was 3-0 with two pins, including 5-2 against Zane Trace’s Eion Dunaway in the final. Michael Fister (138) also was 3-0 for the Vikings, beating NC’s Nico Richards 14-3 in the final.

Utica’s Clayton Smith (144) pinned all three of his opponents in the first minute, including Liberty Union’s Mason Crouse in the final.

Northridge’s Brazyn Esteph (113), Utica’s Breyden Hill (126) and NC’s Rugby Meza (150) each took runner-up. Northridge’s Braxton Ankrom (126) and NC’s Nate Willis (215) both placed third, and Heath’s Brady Carnahan (106) and Northridge’s Josiah Coakley (144) both placed fourth.

Costa wins title

Peyton Costa (113) went 3-0 with two pins, beating Whitehall’s Mike Park 11-4 in the final, leading Granville during the Division II sectional tournament at Jonathan Alder and qualifying to next week’s district tournament at Wilmington.

Corbin Bell (144), Keegan Finley (150) and A.J. Jones (157) each took runner-up for the Blue Aces. Nash Finley (106), Owen Simms (120), Andy Sanchez (126), Logan McFarland (138) and Ian Rutherford (Hwt.) all placed third.

Watkins trio reach top

Gavyn Louks (120), Scott Speakman (138) and Hunter Lowery (165) each won a title for host Watkins Memorial during the Division I sectional tournament and qualified to next week’s district tournament at Hilliard Darby.

Louks went 3-0 with two pins, including against Mount Vernon’s Aden Burdulis in the final, and Speakman went 4-0 with two pins, beating Pickerington North’s Lee Anderson 3-1 in the final. Lowery finished 3-0 with one pin, beating Mount Vernon’s Kayden Packard 7-0 in the final.

Nolan Perry (106) took runner-up, and Caden Ball (126) and WoJo Moore (190) both placed fourth for the Warriors.

BOYS BASKETBALL

NC rallies for win

Braylon Bates and Joe Stanley each hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, pushing visiting Newark Catholic past No. 4 Fairfield Christian 59-54 in a Division IV district quarterfinal.

Bates buried five 3s and totaled 23 points, and Stanley hit a trio and totaled 14 as the Green Wave trailed 51-43 before outscoring the Knights 16-3 down the stretch.

Eli Morris added eight points for the No. 7 Green Wave (6-17), who play No. 15 Wellington (2-19) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at a site to be determined. Jaden Shoultz hit nine 3s and racked up 47 points for the Jaguars in an 82-67 upset of Danville.

Northridge cruises

Ethan Payne’s 14-point, 10-rebound double-double powered Northridge to a 63-34 victory against visiting No. 14 Elgin in a Division III second-round game.

Ian Travis totaled a game-high 17 points and six assists, Carter Mallernee 11 points and Justin Townley nine points and eight rebounds for the No. 4 Vikings (18-5), who play No. 5 Harvest Prep (18-6) in a district semifinal at 7 p.m. Monday at Westerville Central.

SWIMMING

Watkins’ Dutton competes at state

Watkins Memorial freshman Ava Dutton swam a time of 56.88 in the 100 butterfly to place 12th during the Division I state championships in Canton.

BOWLING

Newark’s Miller advances

Jason Miller bowled a high game of 223 and 614 series to tie for 25th for Newark during the Division I sectional tournament at HP Lanes and qualify for Tuesday’s district tournament back at HP Lanes.