Marysville’s Olana Chapman (right) grapples with Olentangy’s Helina Michael (left) during the match at 190 pounds. The senior Lady Monarch secured a first-period pin against the Lady Brave.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Marysville’s girls wrestling team celebrated its pair of senior athletes with a 60-15 win over visiting Olentangy.
“We were hoping for a few more matches,” MHS head coach Shawn Andrews said. “With injuries, we ended up getting eight matches out of 14 weight classes.”
With the postseason right around the corner, the Lady Monarchs concluded their dual meet regular season by hosting the Lady Braves.
“We are excited to compete at home and for our seniors,” Andrews said.
Prior to the start of the competition, Lady Monarch seniors Olana Chapman and Sophia Smegal were recognized.
“Both came into their senior year in different paths, but ultimately they are one of the corner stone groups which was there at the beginning,” Andrews said. “I am just proud of them getting a chance to be here and wrestle at home.”
Teagan McKinney (100) grabbed the Monarchs’ first six points after claiming the initial forfeit.
Both teams opted to double forfeit the 105-pound weight class.
Reese Andrews (110) claimed another forfeit and bumped MHS’ advantage to 12-0.
Marysville’s lead expanded to 18-0 when Kate Clarridge (115) won by another forfeit.
The first actual match of the night occurred between 120-pounders Cameron Leng of Marysville and Olentangy’s Kelly Wittenberg.
Leng took care of business quickly with a first-period pinfall.
The Lady Braves clawed back in the following match at 125 pounds.
Cori Young tallied a second-period pin over Marysville’s Kiley Lewis.
At that point, the Braves trailed 24-6.
“Even though she lost to Young, who was third in the state last year, I loved the effort of Kiley’s fight to try and get to the legs,” said Andrews.
Olentangy’s 130-pounder Addison Lanniello outlasted Marysville’s Eliana Borjas before winning a 6-4 decision. That added three points for the Lady Braves’ side of the scoreboard.
Addi Lyon (135) got Marysville back on track by pinning Olentangy’s Charlea Hall during the second period. That elevated MHS to a 30-9 spread.
“Sometimes Addi will get in a habit of getting the takedown and the pin as if she wants to get off the mat,” Andrews said. “So the fact she scored 14 points before the fall was important for her.”
Cara Leng (140) had her arm raised in victory via another forfeit.
Smegal suffered a first-period pin against Olentangy’s Lexi Murrey in the 145-pound bout.
The Lady Monarchs’ advantage climbed to 42-15 at the conclusion of the 155-pound match.
MHS’ Aylla Powell toppled Morgan Wirray in the first period during that competition.
Lady Monarch Lori Grimes (170) followed with another first-period pin over Alyssa O’Barr for six more points.
“Lori wrestled an opponent who she had a close match with earlier in the season,” said Andrews. “To see her come out in a more convincing fashion was a good thing.”
Marysville took another step closer to the overall victory with the results of the 190-pound action.
Chapman tallied another first-period pin over Helina Michael to give the Lady Monarchs a 54-15 lead.
Desi Lee (235) wrapped up the evening for MHS with a forfeit triumph.
According to Andrews, Wednesday night marked the last competition for the Lady Monarchs until the postseason tournament.
Looking at the match overall, Andrews was pleased with what he and the coaching staff saw from the squad.
“There are a lot of good things to take away,” he said. “This was our last competition (before tournament action), so we are focusing in on our training.”
Marysville will be preparing for the sectional tournament.
That event will be hosted by Jonathan Alder. It will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.
“We have about 10 days to really dial in and be our best right about that time,” Andrews said. “Some [improvements] are in between the ears and they have to believe they are girls to be reckon with.”