West Holmes wrestlers rally twice to reach Division II state duals

For the second straight year and fifth time since 2019, the West Holmes varsity wrestling team will compete in the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association Division II State Duals Championships after two come-from-behind dual wins at a regional qualifier Feb. 7 at Claymont High School.

The Knights secured the regional championship with a 37-30 win over Carrollton after trailing 30-13. In the semifinals against Claymont, West Holmes trailed the Mustangs 38-17 but charged back with four straight wins to win 39-38.

“This is one event that I have circled at the beginning of the season every time we qualify,” West Holmes coach Scott Vaughn said. “Between the dual format, the energy that our fans bring and the way the team comes together, it is such an exciting event. Our fans travel very well. It seems like everywhere we go is a home dual. They did an amazing job today. I loved the energy from the team. They were right there cheering each teammate on as they wrestled. That is what makes this event so much fun.”

Winning matches against Claymont were Wyatt Crabb (106 pounds, technical fall), Peyton Martin (126, fall), Louden Dixon (157, fall), Camden McCluggage (175, fall), Lincoln Goans (190, major decision), Easton Ross (215, fall) and Dylan Sours (heavyweight, forfeit).

Winning matches against Carrollton were Liam Angle (120, fall), Martin (decision), Gabe Umstead (132, major decision), Dixon (165, technical fall), Goans (175, decision), McCluggage (190, major decision), Ross (forfeit) and Sours (fall).

Middle school

West Holmes completed its regular season with a seventh-place finish at the Ohio Cardinal Conference Tournament Feb. 7 at Ashland High School.

Bryson Snyder (eighth grade, 2-0, one fall) captured the heavyweight championship. Clint Burgett (eighth, 128, 2-1) claimed runner-up honors, and Jake Lennington (eighth, 142, 2-2, two) finished fourth.

“From the start to the end of the tournament, I never saw anyone give up,” Knights coach Justin Wilcox said. “Everyone had their ears on and listened, and everyone came out looking to score points and be aggressive. I can't ask any more than that. A lot of the people that wrestled today have had a problem being overly conservative in their matches, and for a lot of the kids that wrestled, this was not only the most aggressive they have looked, but also the best. It was a fitting end to the regular season.”

Attack Team

The Holmes Area Wrestling Club Elementary Attack Team had a great showing at the Ohio Youth Wrestling Association District Championship Tournament Feb. 8 at Beaver Local High School, qualifying eight wrestlers for the OYWA state championship tournament while earning a fourth-place finish in the 25-team field.

Advancing to the state tournament were district champion Chansen Hart (sixth, 110, 3-0, two), runner-ups Jordan Vaughn (fourth, 73, 3-1, three) and Fletcher Hawkins (sixth, 120, 3-1, three), third-place finisher Everett Tuitama (sixth, 90, 4-1, two), fourth-place finisher Dawson Miller (sixth, 79, 3-2, three), and fifth-place finishers Austin Spreng (second, 52, 3-2), Mason Hart (third, 70, 4-2, three) and Silas Larimore (sixth, 82, 4-2).

Placing sixth and earning state alternate status were Lane Taylor (fifth, 64, 3-3, two), Casey Pendlebury (sixth, 95, 1-3, one), Sawyer Miller (fifth, 105, 2-3) and Easton Wagers (fourth, 205, 0-3).

“Overall, we had a great day,” Attack Team coach Jarret Mathie said. “Going to a new district with a bunch of teams we haven't competed against, I wasn't sure what to expect, especially after a weird week of practice. We had numerous wrestlers who were out sick. Regardless of some adversity, the boys showed up and finished fourth as a team. Great accomplishment if you ask me. Qualifying eight for the state tournament is the most I've ever had as a coach. I am beyond grateful and proud, but man, it's hard not to think about the what-ifs. We very easily could have qualified 11 or 12 kids.

"We started the day with a fantastic first round. I believe we had 14 or so kids in the quarterfinals. However, from there, only five were able to advance to the semifinals. We then bounced back nicely in the consolation rounds, getting 11 wrestlers to the placement matches.”