18 male county wrestlers gain spot in district competition

Knox County wrestlers showed out at sectionals on Saturday.

Eighteen wrestlers from three schools punched their tickets to the district tournament by placing in the top four at sectionals.

Mount Vernon led the way with seven of its wrestlers advancing to districts. Both Fredericktown and Danville had five move on to the next tournament, while Centerburg advanced one.

The Yellow Jackets finished second in the Div. I sectional at Upper Arlington, scoring 218 points. They had four champions on the day – Gabe Thomas, Mavrik Gregory, Luke Mullins and Trevor Jones.

Thomas won the title at 144 pounds, winning all three of his matches. He scored a pin in 2:42, then won 10-4 and 6-0 to capture the title.

Gregory also had three victories, winning his first two via technical fall (18-3 and 19-3), then posted a 12-6 decision in the finals to capture the 157-pound weight class title.

Mullins won his title at 190, pinning all three of his opponents (1:08, 2:45 and 1:09). Jones was the champ at 215, winning by pin (0:38) and two tech falls (19-3 and 16-1).

MV also advanced three others to district play this coming Saturday at Hilliard Darby. Gabe Kiser (106) , Tye Thomas (132) and Preston Hempfield (10) all finished third.

Just missing qualifying were Keagan Leasure (120, fifth), Ethan Hurlow (126, fifth) and Carter Hill (175, fifth).

MV will wrestle in the district on Friday and Saturday at Hilliard Darby.

In the Division III sectional at Mechanicsburg, Danville sent all five of its wrestlers on to district where they will wrestle Friday and Saturday at Troy.

Carter Wittel (285) earned the sectional championship with three pins on the day. He rattled them off in 0:30, 1:26 and 3:28.

Kyle Hackman (113) and Cooper Baldridge (144) both finished third for the Blue Devils. Hackman had two pins on the day and Baldridge had one.

Jonathan Stephens (106) and Camden Horn (120) both finished fourth and advanced.

Fredericktown had four wrestlers finish in third place – Gavin Galbraith (120), Owen Garver (138), Gage Selby (150) and Domenic Wolpe (285). Garver had two pins on the day, while Galbraith, Selby and Wolpe had one each. Aidan Ebersole had two pins and placed fourth to advance.

East Knox freshman Brent Link finished fifth at 138, getting two pins.

Centerburg wrestled at Ridgedale and saw Cole Evans (215) advance to districts at Coshocton. Evans finished third, winning three matches on the day.

Cory Climer (126) and Braxton Vernon (138) both placed fifth and just missed moving on.