Walker Heard of Marysville has the upper hand against an opponent in this file photo. The Monarchs will host a Division I sectional tournament on Saturday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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The Marysville High School wrestling team will take its first steps along the post-season trail on Saturday.
The Monarchs will host a Division I sectional tournament, beginning at 10 a.m.
Teams scheduled to compete along with MHS are Hilliard Davidson, Central Crossing, Dublin Scioto, Dublin Jerome, Groveport-Madison, Westerville Central, Westland, Lima Senior and Tri-Valley.
Lima Senior is new to the Central District sectional and its appearance on the Monarch mats came about after some downsizing in the Northwest District.
“There are fewer Division I schools in the Toledo area this year,” said Marysville head coach Shawn Andrews, “and as a result, there is only one sectional there, instead of two.
“The Central District has added a fifth sectional this year and Lima Senior was assigned to our site because of that,” he said.
The Monarchs have competed against Davidson, Central Crossing and Westland during the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division season.
“We’ve seen them, so we know what they’re made of,” said Andrews.
The Monarchs are looking to defend their sectional championship from 2017.
They have claimed 14 sectional titles since 1976, including four consecutive crowns from 2012-215.
Andrews feels the Monarchs have a pretty good shot of adding another championship when the finals begin late Saturday afternoon.
“There are several teams that have five or six solid wrestlers,” he said. “However, I don’t think any of them have the depth that we do.
“We just have to focus on ourselves and take care of business like I know we are capable of doing.
“There are several weight classes that are going to have a number of strong wrestlers,” said Andrews. “However, none of them stand out as ‘super-great.’”
Tyler Bates should see stiff competition from Jaden Mattox of Central Crossing at 160 pounds, while Walker Heard has battled Demetrius Monroe of Davidson already this season at 145.
“Lima Senior also has a strong wrestler at 152, where Jake (Marsh) will compete,” said Andrews.
The Monarchs’ line-up for Saturday will be as follows:
-106: Quentin Miller;
-113: Michael Jones;
-120: Jamieson Bigler;
-126: Lincoln Heard;
-132: Cole Hosterman;
-138: Sam Shroyer;
-145: W. Heard;
-152: Marsh;
-160: Bates;
-170: Nathan Dewitt;
-182: Jacob Legge;
-195: Logan Painter;
-220: Ethan Smegal;
-285: Tyler Connolly.
The top four placers in each weight division will advance to next week’s district tournament at Hilliard Darby.
“I think we have a shot to advance all 14 guys to the district,” said Andrews. “We’ve never done that and it remains our elusive goal.”