Ben Bickerstaff of Marysville works to slide a half-nelson and put Lancaster’s Ajay Locke into pinning position Wednesday evening. Bickerstaff won his match and helped the Monarchs advance in the state duals tournament. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Marysville High School’s boys varsity wrestling team was successful during its first step along the state duals tournament trail.
The Monarchs rallied to turn back Lancaster, 39-28, during Wednesday’s match on the MHS mats.
In previous years, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has sponsored the state duals tournament.
The OHSAA, however, has decided to no longer support the event.
As such, it has returned to the Ohio High School State Wrestling Coaches Association, which was the original sponsor.
Based on criteria from last year’s district tournament, Marysville was paired with Lancaster for the chance to make the top eight state dual finals.
The Golden Gales opened the match with a victory in the 106-pound bout.
Toby Hustler beat MHS’ Ethan Skiles by a 9-3 verdict.
Zach Pfarr got the Monarchs on the scoreboard during the 113-pound match.
He scored a 15-0 technical fall over Owen Crites.
That gave Marysville a 5-3 margin.
Lancaster regained the lead at 7-5 when Aiden Agin scored a 120-pound major decision (10-0) over Joe Eley of MHS.
The Monarchs fell behind 22-5 as the Golden Gales won the next three bouts.
Jacob Hutsler (126) pinned MHS’ Emilio Guerrero in 3:20.
Lincoln Witt of Marysville (132) dropped a 6-4 decision to Jayce Edmonds.
Lancaster’s Jacob Reed then captured the 138-pound match by pinning Austin Winn of MHS in 1:09.
Lincoln Heard snapped the Monarchs’ skid with a pin during the 145-pound match.
He toppled Lancaster’s Titan Johnson in 5:14.
That victory halved Marysville’s deficit to 22-11.
At that point, the Monarchs went on a 24-0 scoring run.
Those matches were as follows:
-152: Jack Golla (M) beat Brody Chase (L), 5-1;
-160: Erryl Will (M) needed just 38 seconds to pin Ty Hedges (L);
-170: Colton Powers (M) put Tyler Weilbacher (L) to the mat in 2:07;
-182: Christian McCartney (M) pinned Kody Hoffman (L) in 3:12;
-195: Ben Bickerstaff (M) scored an 8-4 verdict over Ajay Locke (L).
Bickerstaff avenged a loss to Locke during last year’s Division I district tournament.
“To turn that result around last night shows Ben’s improvement,” said Monarch head coach Shawn Andrews.
The Golden Gails trailed 35-22 after Bickerstaff’s triumph.
Lancaster narrowed its deficit to 35-28 after the 220-pound match.
Cole Dickerson of Lancaster pinned MHS’ Parker Reese in 3:52.
Zach McMinn of Marysville closed out the match.
He scored a 17-5 major decision over Timothy Lewellen during the heavyweight contest.
“It was great to have a meaningful dual on the schedule,” said Andrews. “Our coaching staff is happy with the way our guys responded.”
The Monarchs will advance to the state duals finals that will be held on Feb. 6 at Lakewood St. Ed.
Other teams will include Dublin Coffman, Brecksville, St. Ed, Centerville, Cincinnati LaSalle and Wadsworth.
MHS will host Dublin Jerome for Senior Night today.
Maryville’s JV squad defeated Lancaster, 21-15, during a handful of matches.
Those results were as follows:
-113: Emma Swart (M) beat Melanie Toronto (L) with a 41-second pin;
-120: Juice Kennedy (M) pinned Cortez Ferguson (L), 4:24;
-132: Ashton Kraft (L) pinned Joseph Bates (M), 1:50;
-138: Izaiah Sullivan (L) dec. Erick Nelson (M), 8-2;
-152: Riley Miller (M) scored a 4-1 verdict over Caleb Simpson (L);
-195: Reese (M) pinned Bryce Chase (L), 2:56;
-Hwt.: Elia Clum (L) pinned Velez Ramos (M), 2:59.