Josh Proper (top) of Jonathan Alder works to control the leg of an opponent. Proper is one of the Pioneer grapplers who will compete in this weekend’s Division I district tournament at Wilmington High School. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
First-round matches have been established in upcoming district tournaments for a number of local high school wrestlers.
Athletes from Jonathan Alder, North Union, Fairbanks and Triad will compete in different district tournaments at three locations,
Action will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
JA will take to the mats during the Division II tournament at Wilmington High School.
North Union and Fairbanks will travel to Coshocton for Division III matches.
Triad’s grapplers will go to Hobart Arena in Troy for a D-III district.
First-round matches for local athletes are as follows:
Division II
Jonathan Alder
-106: Xavier Pierce (32-8) vs. Hunter Smith, Blanchester (26-5);
-113: Reece Chapman (32-4) vs. Garrett Meador, Oakwood (13-14);
-120: Josh Proper (33-4) vs. Jayden Stephenson, Valley View (21-3);
-126: Eli Trbovich (27-7) vs. Grant Moorman, Clinton-Massie (23-7);
-138: Oliver Byerly (32-5) vs. Nick Musselman, Blanchester (27-7);
-145: Owen Crabtree (24-14) vs. Gage Berwanger, Blanchester (23-8);
-152: Carson Griener (28-13) vs. Alex Hudson, Wilmington (22-9);
-170: Pryce Watson (26-15) vs. Colt Conover, Blanchester (29-5).
Division III
North Union and Fairbanks
-113: Trace Williams, NU, (26-9) vs. Alex Riddle, Adena, (11-16);
-120: Zack Ellis, NU, (3-12) vs. Johnny Walker, Malvern (23-5);
-126: Casey Clark, NU, (20-11) vs. Andrew Huck, Bidwell River Valley (36-7);
-145: Caleb Isler, NU, (25-10) vs. Laramie Giesey, Shenandoah (30-5);
-195: Tucker Green, FHS, (14-12) vs. Starr Kelly, Westfall (25-2);
-Hwt.: Billy Reed-Bodey, FHS, (39-0) vs. Nick Burns, Chesapeake (21-7);
Division III
Triad
-182: Isiah Leasure (39-5) vs. Noah Brown, Versailles (22-13);
-195: Thomas Ford (10-16) vs. Ezra Jones, Columbus Grove (36-3).
The top four wrestlers in each weight bracket during the district tournament will go to the state tournament next week.