Highland youth wrestler claims state title at OAC tournament

Hudson Fishbach, a fourth grader at Sharon Elementary School, led a large contingent of athletes from Highland Youth Wrestling at the Ohio Athletic Committee grade school state tournament at the Covelli Center in Youngstown on March 29-30.

Fishbach, a 65-pounder competing in Division 3, won the area’s lone state championship. He went 5-0 over the two-day tournament, including an 11-8 win over Caiden Haigh of Wadsworth in the title match. Fishbach also defeated Nahvell Grant of the Ohio Heroes Wrestling Club 2-1 in the semifinals.

With Fishbach leading the way, Highland placed 23rd in the team standings with 119.5 points. A total of 215 teams scored at least one point, with 241 teams qualifying at least one wrestler.

Fishbach’s classmate and training partner Weston Nicklos finished fifth in Division 3 at 60 pounds, going 4-2 and reaching the semifinals. Easton Berger also placed seventh in Division 3 at 68 pounds, winning four of six matches.

Ryan Brand placed seventh in Division 4 at 180 pounds, going 4-2 after an early loss to teammate George Olecki, who finished 2-2. In Division 2, Nicholas Standish placed seventh at 70 pounds, while Brantley Cheatham finished eighth at 61 pounds, winning four of seven matches.

Maddox DeStefanis and John Roman each went 1-2 at 45 pounds. In Division 3, Jimmy Peters was 1-2 at 55 pounds, while Elliott Zapior went 1-2 at 80 pounds in Division 4.

Additional Highland qualifiers included Connor Bright (Division 2, 61 pounds), Benson Boyert (Division 3, 55), Nathan Cahill (Division 3, 60), Bryce Villers (Division 3, 75), Jameson Bailey (Division 3, 80), Lukas Yamaletdzinau (Division 3, 85), Garrett Nicklos (Division 4, 75) and Reed Hendricks (Division 4, 80).

Highland’s lone girls qualifier, Rylee Putman, placed third in the girls Division 2 at 45 pounds.

Steven Cheek, a sixth grader at Highland Middle School competing for Brecksville, placed fifth in Division 4 at 100 pounds, finishing 4-2 after reaching the semifinals.

Medina sent seven athletes to the tournament and finished 78th with 36 points.

Leading the Bees was Luke Robertson, who placed fourth in Division 3 at 68 pounds, winning five of seven matches. Andrew Reyes won three of five matches in Division 4 at 130 pounds but did not place.

Talon Gordon went 2-2 in Division 3 at 80 pounds, and Grayson Kearney also went 2-2 in Division 4 at 180 pounds. Roger Roman (Division 3, 80), Ajavion McFolley (Division 4, 180) and Colton Craddock (Division 4, 90) also competed.

The OAC grade school state tournament features up to 32 wrestlers per weight class, with top qualifiers advancing from eight districts across Ohio.