The
2025 OHSAA state wrestling championships kicked off Friday and run through Sunday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Wrestling begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with the quarterfinals and second-round consolations. The semifinals and consolation quarterfinals start at 5:30 p.m.
Live updates: Day 2 at the OHSAA state wrestling tournament
Normally, you can’t go through four matches at state without getting beat up a little. Lakota’s Lane Thacker incurred a bruise and red welt near his eye as he lost his opening match at state 11-5 to Beachwood’s Caleb Greenwood at 150 pounds. Thacker won his next three matches, including a 9-2 win over Akron Manchester’s Phil Partin to clinch no worse than a sixth-place finish. “The hardest thing in wrestling is the wrestle back,” Lakers coach Rob Timmons said. “You lose in the first round and com back to try for third – it’s the hardest thing in the sport. Everybody wants to be a champ. “To put your mind back together and do everything he can. He tries to score every period.” Thacker had to have his nose plugged with cotton twice and bled from his finger against Partin. “I dominated in every position,” he said. “The kid was funky and scrambling. My eye, in the first match. It comes with the sport. He got me. ‘It’s time to get the next guy and the guy after that.’ “Don’t stop, I know what I’m capable of. Keep going to make yourself proud and prove your name to people back home, mainly myself. Trusting the process. I came in with hopes of shocking everyone and winning the tournament. “That got shut down. I had to tell myself it’s not over and one loss won’t define me.” Genoa junior Scotty Fuller has a Proverbs 3:5-6 tattoo on the front of his shoulder — God paves your paths. “I’ve been there,” he said. “I know I’m capable. You take the work we do, Ethan Powell, having him every day it’s great. There’s not better partner.” Fuller was second at state as a sophomore and third as a freshman. He shut out Trinity’s Xavier Pearson on Saturday to advance to the final at 113 on Sunday. “I trust my top, I know I have a cradle,” Fuller said. “In the quarterfinals, I got to cradle again. Relentless effort, that’s what got me here.” Fuller pinned Columbia’s Tanner Cochrane in 1:51 in quarterfinals, Powell advanced to state and is still alive at 106. Mitchell Tetrault, Garaway’s 144-pound sophomore, earned his spot on the podium with a win on Saturday morning. A run at a top five finish was still on the table later that night, however, but a difficult matchup with Centerburg senior Christopher Marshall proved too much in an 11-1 loss. Marshall did most of his damage from the bottom position, where he tilted Tetrault in a four-point move that took control. It never got closer than three points the rest of the way. “It was pretty much just off scrambles,” Tetrault said of his Marshall match. “It was just rolling around and he’s a little bit longer than me.” Tetrault was hardly down about it, he saw Saturday as a learning experience after dropping both of his matches at state as a freshman. He finished the season 43-9. “After my last match, there is no pressure right now,” Tetrault said of his approach. “I placed. I’m happy. At this point I am just learning from my mistakes so I can win it next year. My main goal is to make it to semis and win my semis match next year. That’s my goal, my vision. I just have to keep working.” Tyson Spicer, New Lexington’s star sophomore, took a 1-0 lead in his Division II 138-pound semifinal match against Columbus Watterson’s Tommy Rowlands – the son of the former Columbus Ready state champion from olden times. Two wrestlers with similar long levers and equally long reaches spent the better part of three periods trading defensive punches, as Rowlands eventually peeled Spicer off for an escape to tie the match. It wasn’t until Spicer got tight in overtime, taking Rowlands to his rear end near the out of bounds, when some real action got brewing. Spicer didn’t get the winning takedown, despite plenty of motions to the contrary to the officials from New Lex assistants Matt Reed and Luke Shively. “I had both feet in and around his waist and his hands were on the mat,” Spicer said. "He just didn’t call it.” Seconds later, Rowlands hit an inside single-leg attack and moved to a double-leg that led to the winning points in 4-1 sudden victory. Spicer, with hopes of a championship, suffered his first loss at 138. He’s now left to battle in the consolation. “I’ve just got to get past this and forget it happened,” Spicer said. “I can’t do anything about it now. Just go wrestle.” Ontario’s Aiden Ohl is all guts!! He picks up a pin on River Valley’s Karsen Jenkins with 1:38 left in the second period in the consolation quarterfinals on one leg. Kid can hardly put any pressure on his left ankle and he works his way to a pin! GUTS! Elgin senior Quentin Harrison and Northmor’s Carson Campbell don’t hate one another. But Campbell must be getting a little tired of Harrison, who notched his fourth win for the matchup this season with a 3-2 victory Saturday to advance to the state final at 157 pounds. “In the sport of wrestling, especially in the same class, you run into similar kids,” Harrison said. “He’s a really good guy. We get along. On the mat, we don’t have friends. You’re out to win. “Getting out on bottom was important in the other matches and keep the pace high. I don’t think I gave up a takedown to him.” Harrison is the first state placer in Elgin history and also the first state finalist. “Three years ago, ‘If we can get a state qualifier it would be big,’” Harrison said. “Every year the bar is raised. Now it’s a state champ. We got something brewing, don’t you worry. “It means a lot, one to see where the program came from. That’s all we’ve talked about the last few weeks. We had six guys eight years ago. (30 now). I’m a product of older guys putting in the work. “It means a lot. I care about the future of Elgin wrestling. I’d like to be the guy they can look at and see it’s possible. Small school. Community is important. Someone in the finals brings shine to the community wrestling for Elgin, not just myself.” The second half of Sheridan’s 1-2 punch, senior Coltyn Reedy (157-pound), wasn’t pushed in a 17-8 major decision of third-ranked Bo Hertenstein, of St. Mary’s Memorial, in his semifinal match. Two early takedowns, after Hertenstein tied up with him early in the match, resulted in an 6-1 lead that grew to 10 points in the third period. It was business as usual as he improved to 43-0. Now he gets another date with defending state champion Brody Saccoccia, of Steubenville, whom he edged, 6-5, at last week’s district in Steubenville. Saccoccia edged unbeaten Cael Gilmore, of Marengo Highland, 8-7. This one will be for much bigger stakes, but Reedy sure didn’t act like someone who has never wrestled beyond the consolation finals. His win in the semis was his 48
th straight dating to last year’s run to third place in the consolation bracket. “I’ve wrestled on bigger stages,” said Reedy, who is signed with Navy. “I’ve wrestled way bigger opponents. I’ve wrestled the No. 1 kid in the country, pound for pound. So I’ve been there, done that. This is just another match for me.” Between Laymon and Reedy, only one of their matches in the postseason have been decided by a decision – Reedy’s win against Saccoccia. It took a while for Tri-Valley's Kandice Spry to get over a third-place finish at state last season. Saturday evening she beat Eaton’s Maycee Admas 22-4 to advance to the championship match at 115 on Sunday. “It’s awesome getting a tech (fall) in the semis,” she said. “You have to trust yourself. You grow through losses. I take losing tough. I’m hard on myself. Pushing through a loss can be the hardest thing. “Getting (to the final) is a big deal.” This is Spry’s sixth year wrestling. She was third at districts and first at sectionals this season. “It motivated me to place higher and the goal is a state championship,” she said. “How hard I work, I work for wrestling all summer and all winter. It’s a nonstop grind and I know what I came here for.” Sheridan freshman Maddox Laymon came to the Division II state wrestling tournament with a goal of being a four-time state champion. He’s partway there, and he’s made history in the process. Laymon’s decisive 5:43 pin of Wauseon’s Carter Stuckey in the semifinals was one that appeared too easy for a freshman – too easy. Stuckey missed his lone chance for points after getting Laymon to the mat in the first period, but Laymon got away and never looked back. He built a 9-0 lead before turning Stuckey, whom he defeated earlier this year at the Maumee Bay Invitational, in the third. He became the first wrestler in Muskingum Valley League history to reach the finals as a freshman. He will face defending champion Marius Garcia, of Bexley, in the finals. He looked nothing like someone new to the bright lights. “I’ve been in some big situations before,” Laymon said. "Junior high state, Tulsa, Fargo. I’m used to big crowds. It just feels like home.” It was his second straight win against Stuckey after falling to him in the semifinals at Maumee. The rubber match was convincing, as Laymon said he made a point to avoid being cradled after falling victim to that age-old move in their first meeting. “I’ve kind of had a fire under my butt ever since then,” Laymon said. Consider it a lesson learned. He has yet to be tested in the state, earning a 17-2 technical fall of Watterson’s Greyson Conyers in the first round and a 16-1 technical fall of Wapakoneta’s Caden Mellott on Saturday morning. After falling in the state championship as a sophomore, Gradey Harding will compete for the Division II 126-pound title on Sunday following a 10-3 decision over Perkins' Sawyer Smith. He will face Alter's Bronson Begley after he pulled off an upset over Licking Valley's Joe Curry by decision (5-3).
Braun heads to semifinals with win over Ohl
Indian Valley's Bronko Braun (113) picks up a 9-6 decision over Ontario's Aiden Ohl to reach the semifinals in Division II.
Sheridan freshman Laymon advances
Sheridan freshman Maddox Laymon (120) moves onto the semifinals with a 16-1 tech fall against Caden Mellott of Wapakoneta.
Carrollton's Lowdermilk reaches D-II semifinals
Carrollton's Cael Lowdermilk (113 pounds) also reaches the semifinals in D-II with a 7-2 decision over Mykale Schneider of Wauseon.
Sheridan's Reedy moves forward in quest for title
Sheridan's Coltyn Reedy, a projected state champion at 157 pounds in Division II, rolls into the semifinals by pinning Chardon's Alex Ash in 1:21.
Louden Dixon cruises to major decision
West Holmes' Louden Dixon (150 pounds) enters the semifinals after a 12-0 major decision over Perry's Chance Schlauch.
Tri-Valley's McClellan, Indian Valley's Burcher on collision course
Tri-Valley's Logan McClellan (215) heads to the semifinals with a 4-minute pin of Napoleon's George Eggers, while Indian Valley's Jaxon Burcher (215) also moves into the semifinals with a 14-5 major decision against Hartley's Malik Tufts. Burcher and McClellan could meet in the finals.
Richland County kids go 0-5 in the quarterfinals
In the 113-weight class, Ontario's Aiden Ohl took an upset 9-6 loss to Indian Valley's Bronko Braun in the quarterfinals. Coming in as a projected state champ, Ohl will wrestle in the second round of the consolation bracket against Wilmington's Alonzo Woody. Clear Fork's Colton Wenger took a 12-1 major decision loss to Canton South's Dom Prosperi in his 113-pound quarterfinal match. He will wrestle Logan Elm's Dawsen Hudson in the second round of the consolation bracket. At 138, Clear Fork freshman Anthony Oscar took an 8-6 loss in the quarterfinals to Watterson's Tommy Rowlands. He will compete in the second round of the consolation bracket against Defiance's Mason Ducat. At 165, Madison's Aiden Proctor was pinned in 1:51 in his quarterfinal match by Reading's Gage Murphy. Proctor will be back at it in the second round of the consolation bracket against East Liverpool's Damon Stanbury. At 285, Madison's Jaxon Stancombe was pinned in 3:25 in his quarterfinal match by Greenville's Andrew Winner. He will wrestle Perry's Trent Taylor in the second round of the consolation bracket.
Ontario's Ohl wins consolation match, but suffers injury
Ontario's Aiden Ohl picks up a pin in his second-round consolation match with 30 seconds left in the third period. He could barely walk off the mat with what looks like an ankle injury.
Clear Fork's Oscar clinches All-Ohio honors
Clear Fork freshman Anthony Oscar clinches All-Ohio honors with a 14-3 win over Defiance's Mason Ducat in the second round of the consolation bracket.
Madison's Proctor, Ontario's Miller clinch All-Ohio honors
Madison's Aiden Proctor earns All-Ohio honors with a 13-4 win over East Liverpool's Damon Stansbury in his second-round consolation match. Ontario's Gavin Miller will earn All-Ohio honors thanks to a 5-3 win over Cambridge's Marshall Laishley in the 138 second round consolation bracket.
Sowards wasn't sure he'd wrestle. Now he's All-Ohio
Ontario's Landon Sowards wins his second-round 190 consolation bracket with a 5-4 victory over Benjamin Logan's Owen Jordan. Sowards,
who wasn't sure he would even wrestle this year , is an All-Ohioan.
Galion’s Alberty will place at state
Ryder Alberty trailed Canfield’s Tyler Scharrer by four in a match to place at state, before regrouping for a 9-4 victory. Alberty broke his hand, before finishing second at the conference tournament last year. He missed the postseason. “It made me want to come and finish the job,” he said. “I was planning on qualifying and possibly placing last season. It made me more driven.” He can finish no worse than eighth this year. He trailed Scharrer 4-0. “I knew I had to keep calm, stay in good position,” he said. “Keep putting my pace on him. I knew God would help me. Injury time, I had a little prayer to push and get through.” Alberty finished second at district and sectional, and third in the conference. “I feel good about it,” he said of where he sits now. “I put a little more pressure on myself this match, even though you don’t want to. To place, I had to win.”
Crestview's Gearheart represents Richland County in semis
Crestview’s Naomi Gearheart pins Hilliard Bradley’s Madi Smith with 24 seconds left in the first period of her quarterfinal match at 145 pounds. She will wrestle in the semifinal later as the only Richland County boy or girl in the semis.
Estep finishes trip to Columbus
Bryce Estep of Fremont Ross earned an 8-0 major decision over Walsh Jesuit’s Luke Eversen-Hein on Saturday morning, before Moeller’s Londen Murphy pinned Estep in 3:47 to eliminate Estep. Estep lost his first match on Friday 16-1 by technical fall to Dublin Coffman’s Eli Esguerra.
Clyde’s Greenslade doesn’t waste time
Meredith Greenslade is a state placer for Clyde as only a freshman. She shut out New Richmond’s DeeLyla Grantham 10-0 at 115 pounds Saturday to clinch at least eighth place at state. She hardly reacted when the match ended and her hand was raised as one of the top eight in the state. “You win the same, you lose the same,” she said. “My dad (Adam Greenslade) taught me that.” Adam Greenslade is Fliers co-head coach. Meredith Greenslade was pinned in 1:54 by Eaton’s Maycee Adams Saturday morning. Greenslade pinned Chippewa’s Gabi Gartin in 3:33 in her first match. She’s excited about the big picture. “I knew I had to go in and try me best and points for sure,” she said. “I knew it would be hard to turn (Grantham). I’ll have to wrestle the best I ever have (moving forward). Against the best.”
