Marysville’s 170-pounder Lori Grimes (right) hits a fireman’s carry on Olentangy Orange’s Lydia Heinrich (left) during the semifinal dual. The Lady Monarch went 2-1 over the weekend at the OHSWCA’s state dual tournament finals.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Marysville’s girls wrestling team claimed fourth place during the Division I state dual finals on its home mats.
The Lady Monarchs hosted the final stretch of the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association’s State Dual Finals.
“Going into it, we tried to approach it as an opportunity to wrestle some of the better programs in the state,” MHS coach Shawn Andrews said. “They all earned their way there… we knew the teams were going to be good.”
Top-seeded Harrison claimed its first state dual championship following a 42-39 triumph over Olentangy Orange.
After advancing the week prior, Marysville expected a battle in its home gym and held the third seed in the tournament.
“We felt like if things go the way their supposed to seeding-wise, we knew we would wrestle Olentangy Orange again,” Andrews said.
The Lady Monarchs began with a 42-39 triumph over sixth-seeded Warren, prompting a rematch with Orange from a prior regular season dual meet.
“I feel like we’ve been a little flat the last couple of weeks,” Andrews said. “We each split seven matches… it was kind of a repeat in our match against Fremont Ross.”
Marysville had a tough task against second-seeded Olentangy Orange, which culminated in a 60-24 loss.
“Going into that match, I think it’s been pretty clear that Orange and Harrison are the top two teams,” Andrews said. “We wanted to compete and see if we could flip some results from the last time.
“In the end, there were sometimes where we stopped wrestling within a position and their experience and skill level took advantage of that,” he said.
Despite the lopsided semifinal match-up, the Lady Monarchs had one last dual to try and secure a third-place finish.
In a match that went down to the wire, Marysville came up short against No. 4 Delaware Hayes.
The Lady Pacers took advantage of the last two matches to claim a 42-40 win.
“If there was a consistent, noticeable trend, I think there were three matches where we were in control and then over-wrestled,” Andrews said. “(Give) Credit to Delaware, we had them in positions where they were dead to rights and they did not stop.”
The second straight loss of the day led to the Lady Monarchs taking fourth in the tournament.
Marysville’s 120-pounder Cameron Leng was one of the Lady Monarchs to go undefeated in three matches.
Addi Lyon also claimed three wins, wrestling at 135 and 140 pounds.
Marysville’s Lori Grimes (170) secured a 2-1 record, along with Cara Leng, splitting time at 140 and 145 pounds, and Desi Lee who competed at 190 and 235 pounds.
Recording 1-2 performances were Kate Clarridge (115), Kiley Lewis (125) and Eliana Borjas (130). Teagan McKinney (100) split two matches.
Also competing were 110-pounder Reese Andrews (0-3), 135-pounder Rileigh McGlone (0-1) and 155-pounder Aylla Powell (0-3).
While feeling the bumps and bruises from this past weekend, the Lady Monarchs will be back in the room preparing for the final stretch before postseason action. Improvements can be minor, especially at this point of the season when it comes to technique or conditioning.
“You want to win every time you step onto the mat,” Andrews said. “If you take the wrestling, work through it and go back to try and make some improvements, you hope that makes it all worth it regardless of the outcome.”
Marysville will host its final dual meet Wednesday against Olentangy (7 p.m.) It will be Senior Night.
“We do have to monitor and pay attention to the length and the challenge of the season and keep them fresh,” said Andrews. “Rest becomes really important.
“We are excited for our senior wrestlers who have the opportunity to compete.”