 |
Bellefontaine’s wrestling team had two wrestlers advance to the second day of the Division I district meet at Kettering-Fairmont on Saturday.
Senior Bryan Ward and freshman Gaige Reeves both competed, but were unable to advance through the consolation bracket and were eliminated.
The top four in each weight class moved on to the Division I state tournament this weekend in Columbus.
Cincinnati Moeller won the Division I district title with 154.5 points, Mason was second with 147 points and Cincinnati LaSalle was third with 128 points. Bellefontaine finished 37th with six points.
“We’re very proud of Bryan and Gaige for their efforts this weekend,” said BHS head coach Aaron LaBatt. “This was a whole new animal competing at Division I for these guys. On Friday, Gaige lost to the eventual district champion and Bryan lost to an eventual state qualifier, so it was a rough start.”
Reeves (106) and Ward (120) both lost their opening-round matches on Friday, but bounced back with victories in the consolation bracket that night.
On Saturday, Reeves came up short in his second-round consolation match and lost 11-9 in sudden victory overtime to Luke Loebker of Cincinnati Anderson.
Ward was beaten 7-3 by Bailey Suddeth of Vandalia Butler in his second-round consolation match.
“Bryan has meant a great deal to this program,” said LaBatt. “This program will miss him and I know I certainly will. He is a great young man and our team won’t be the same without him.
“Gaige was beating his kid by six or seven points, but made a few mistakes that cost him. For his first year of high school wrestling, he should be proud. He needs to stay hungry because he has a bright future ahead of him.”