It has been one of the most memorable seasons in Benjamin Logan wrestling program history, but the Raiders aren’t done yet as they preparing for the Division III district tournament this weekend in Troy.
There are 21 total area wrestlers competing between Division II and Division III this Friday and Saturday across southwest Ohio. Benjamin Logan, Indian Lake, West Liberty-Salem and Triad all compete in the Division III district tournament at Troy’s Hobart Arena, while Bellefontaine competes in the Division II district at Wilmington High School.
Wrestling begins Friday at 2 p.m. for Division II and 3 p.m. for Division III. Action resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. for both divisions. The top four wrestlers in each weight class move on to the state meet in Columbus.
It has been one marquee finish after another for the Raiders this winter, who dropped down to Division III for the first time. They have won several tournaments and finished second overall at the second Central Buckeye Conference tournament a few weeks ago.
Highlighting Ben Logan’s season thus far is an appearance at the OHSAA Division III state dual finals in Columbus, a program first. That type of momentum has the Raiders anxious to step on the mat again.
“I feel the kids have a lot of confidence right now after the regular season,” said Seeley.
“I want them to wrestle to the best of their ability and leave everything on the mat. I don’t want them to hold anything back, especially those seniors. I think we have five guys who really have a good chance of making it out. They still have to go out and wrestle, though.”
Wrestling for the Raiders at the district tournament are Kade Thomas (106), Owen O’Brien (113), Jayden Sturgell (120), Levi Hunter (126), Joel Abbott (145), Steele Boysel (170), Noah Clark (195), Matthew Creamer (220) and Cadman Roose (285).
Leading the group are Boysel and Abbott, who were both state qualifiers in Division II last season. Clark and Roose both went 2-2 at the district meet and were one win shy of placing in the top six.
“(Boysel and Abbott) have really stepped it up and talked to the other guys about a mental mindset,” said Seeley. “For them it’s a little different because they’ve been to state and feel that pressure of getting back.
“It’s also different for all of us because we’re wrestling at Hobart. We’ve never been there or wrestled there and the atmosphere will be different. That leadership has been big, though, and letting these guys know its just like wrestling any other tournament. It doesn’t matter where we are.”
Indian Lake is headlined by returning state placer Hayden Pummel (160), who finished seventh at the Division III state tournament last season. He is projected to win the district this weekend.
“Hayden has put himself in a good position and he just has to go out and compete like he has all season,” said IL head coach Ryan Dickson. “Our goals are still in front of us and we just have to go take care of business this weekend.”
Teammate Lane Mefford (170) was a district qualifier as a freshman and won a match. Mefford was projected to make the state meet last season as sophomore, but elected to have season-ending hip surgery.
“We’re glad to get Lane back to district, but he knows he has to go out and handle his business. He’s a hard-nosed kid and he’ll do what he needs to.”
Also competing for the Lakers are Gage Cutlip-Pash (126) and Joseph Scarberry (195), who is an alternate that got entered into the district tournament.
Triad has four wrestlers competing at the district meet, which is the first time in seven seasons the Cardinals have that many qualifiers. The group includes Coleman Hauck (145), Blake Boldman (152), Dalton Overfield (160) and Isaiah Leasure (170).
“It has been a while and we are very excited that this year we had four kids make it to districts,” said Triad head coach Mike Zizzo. “Our goal for this weekend is to stay focused on the job at hand, which is get a top four finish and move on to state.
“I would love to have all four kids make it out of districts. All of our kids have a very hard road ahead of them. I think if we could get one or two out that would be awesome.”
Hauck and Boldman are both returning qualifiers, while Leasure had the best finish of the group last week in second place.
WL-Salem will have two individuals competing at Troy with Ian Maurice (138) and Tyler Douthwaite (152). This is the first district tournament for both wrestlers.
Chieftain duo competing in Division II
Bellefontaine is the lone area team left competing in Division II at Wilmington this weekend. Seniors Garrett Gross (195) and Noah Yoesting (145) are both preparing for their final chance at qualifying to the state tournament.
“I want to see them go out and wrestle to the best of their ability,” said BHS head coach Brady Hiatt. “If you believe in how things work you have believe in that in the most important of matches. I truly believe the goal is to win, but the purpose is to wrestle to the best of their ability. If they both do that, no matter what happens, their careers can end with no regrets.”
Gross is a two-time district placer after finishing sixth as a sophomore and was a state alternate last season as a junior. He currently holds a 21-1 record and won a sectional title last weekend at Graham.
Yoesting qualified his sophomore year for the district tournament and won a match. After missing out on the postseason last year, he is anxious to get back on the mat for his final shot at advancing to Columbus.
“For both of them, you can’t worry about who you’ll see in the quarterfinals or wherever,” said Hiatt. “You have to focus on what is right in front of you. Both have the ability to put themselves in position to reach the state tournament. In order to make it you have to get yourself in a match where if you win you’re going. You do that by focusing on what is in front of you.”