Triad’s Awsom Mitchell (bottom) collects back points against North Union’s Josh Ahern during a dual meet against the Wildcats.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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The 2024 state wrestling tournament will begin Friday at 1 p.m.
The annual event will be held at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center.
The field will include a pair of district champions from the Union County area.
Carson Mize, Marysville’s 175-pounder, claimed a Division I district title last weekend at Hilliard Darby High school.
Awsom Mitchell (175) won a Division III district crown at Troy High School.
Mize will take a 26-5 record into his first-round match at the state tournament.
He will face Logan Morehouse of Toledo St. John’s, who sports a 30-11 season mark.
Mitchell has had his arm raised in victory at the conclusion of all but one of his 52 matches.
He will face Westfall’s Bryce Wickline (30-7) during the opening round.
Marysville’s boys mat squad will be represented by two additional wrestlers.
Boston Burkhardt (144) will take to the mat in the opening round against Stone Busler of Cincinnati Moeller.
Burkhardt has a 30-11 record to date this season.
Busler’s won-loss mark stands at 35-9.
The Division II state tournament will include a trio of grapplers from Jonathan Alder.
Each one of the Pioneer matmen has won more than 40 matches this season.
Ethan Kuhns (144) will take a 41-10 mark into his first-round bout against Johnny Beltz of Alliance (23-13).
In the 164-pound division, Anthony Kroninger (44-7) will tangle with Dillon Badui of Buckeye (34-9).
A first-round matchup of the big boys (285) will see JA’s Dominic Kroninger (44-10) facing off against Garrett Dillon-Rine of New Philadelphia (47-4).
Girls wrestlers will once again compete in one division during the state tournament.
There are six Lady Monarchs in the field and one girl from Jonathan Alder.
Marysville’s girls and their first-round contests are as follows:
115: Cami Leng (40-2) vs. Caroline Davis, Ross (38-9);
125: Lauren Mobley (34-10) vs. Alora Strauser, Alter (31-6);
135: Addi Lyon (42-8) vs. Lilly Kinsel, Harrison (38-5);
140: Cara Leng (37-9) vs. Leslie Sullivan, Lutheran West (23-12);
170: Lori Grimes (41-10) vs. Cameron Sherman, Cardington (23-5);
235: Desi Lee (39-6) vs. Jessica Edwards, Harrison (38-5).
JA’s Ava Ater (120) sports a 33-11 record. She will open the state tournament with a match against Harrison High School’s Raegan Briggs (32-1).
State mat action will continue on Saturday and conclude Sunday evening.