Waynedale wrestling wins 15th straight WCAL title

Coming off the area’s first OHSWCA state dual championship, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion Waynedale would win the Wayne County Athletic League Meet Feb. 20 at Norwayne.

That was indeed the case as the Golden Bears won their 15th straight WCAL title in record-breaking fashion.

Waynedale scored a WCAL meet-record 274 points to easily outdistance runner-up Smithville (92), Northwestern (89) and Dalton (72).

The Bears had grapplers win championships in 10 of the 14 weight classes.

Senior 138-pounder Stephen Patterson led the way by winning his fourth WCAL title. He was named WCAL Most Valuable Wrestler.

Also taking home golds were Branton Tapp (106), Landen Hasseman (113), Brock Beckler (120), Isaak Skelly (126), Sebastian Schmeltzer (132), Riley Greathouse (144), Lake Troyer (157), Maddox Kidd (165) and Brandon Walters (285).

Finishing as runners-up for the Bears were DJ Oberly (150), Gradey Posey (190) and Kamden Lemon (215) while Logan Posey was third at 175.

Breaking the Waynedale stronghold to win individual titles from other WCAL schools were Northwestern’s Colton Morris (150), Smithville’s Mason Haines (175) and Karsen Moore (190), and Norwayne’s Elias Zollinger (215).