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Bellefontaine’s wrestling team has two out of three wrestlers still alive following the first day of the Division I district wrestling tournament at Kettering-Fairmont’s Trent Arena.
Freshman Gaige Reeves (106) and senior Bryan Ward (120) both lost first-round matches Friday, but bounced back with consolation wins.
Wrestling resumes at 10 a.m. today. The top four placers at each weight class advance to the Division I state tournament next weekend in Columbus.
“I’m real proud of Gaige and Bryan to come back like they did,” said BHS head coach Aaron LaBatt. “This is a new environment for Gaige and a different environment for Bryan in Division I. It would have been easy to fold and quit after they lost, but they didn’t.”
Reeves lost to an undefeated returning state qualifier in the first round, but was able to pin Tecumseh’s Joe Campbell in 3:56 in the first consolation round to stay alive in the tournament.
Ward was pinned by a returning state alternate in his opening-round match. He battled back to pin Piqua’s Nick Baker in 4:45 in the first consolation round.
“Both Gaige and Bryan had some tough first-round draws,” said LaBatt. “Gaige didn’t wrestle his best, but he won and that’s what matters at this point.
“Bryan wrestled a smart second match and beat a kid that pinned him earlier this year. Now, we’ll try to keep going and see if we can get a few more wins.”
Sophomore Phil Francis (145) also competed Friday, but lost both his matches to bow out of the tournament.