Harrison Central junior high, youth wrestlers advance to postseason

Harrison Central junior high wrestlers are closing out the season with tournaments, district competition and state events. This week, the junior high team sent seven wrestlers to Buckeye Local to compete against teams from across the state in all divisions.

“Our boys wrestled really well,” head coach Drew Case said.

Nelson Lan placed sixth and qualified for the state tournament. Rage Moreland, Logan Steves and Bentley Manbeck each placed eighth in their weight classes and will serve as alternates at the state level.

State competition will be March 21 in Youngstown.

Youth Wrestling Districts were held Feb. 15 at Canton GlenOak.

Sixth-grader Vontae Robinson made program history as the first Harrison County youth wrestler to win a state title. Wrestling at 205 pounds, Robinson won the championship and belt.

“Vontae wrestled an outstanding tournament, leaving little doubt as he dominated the bracket,” Case said.

Robinson placed first at sectionals, second at districts and won the state title.

The youth team also saw Heath Sefsick place first at sectionals, first at districts and sixth at state.

“We are proud to announce our first two Ohio Youth Wrestling Association state placers,” coach Derek Sefsick said.

Other varsity youth wrestlers who placed at sectionals were Carter Bethel (49 pounds), third; Colton Kaiser (56), second; Logan Lowry (64), second; Brydon McAfee (67), third; Malaki Kreptowski (70), fifth; Uziah McAfee (86), fifth; Riot Moreland (90), third; and Leland Morehead (105), third.

Alternates for state were Keegan Mallernee (100), who placed second at sectionals and sixth at districts, and Brasen Bryant (120), who placed fourth at sectionals and sixth at districts.

Harrison Central had four youth state qualifiers: Jesse Boyer (150), first at sectionals and fourth at districts; Finn Sefsick, third at sectionals and fifth at districts; along with Heath Sefsick and Robinson.