13 Delaware County boys advance in state wrestling tournament

DELAWARE — Thirteen of Delaware County’s 16 state-qualifying boys wrestlers have advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals after the opening day of the state wrestling tournament.

Below is a breakdown of how each of the 16 competitors, divided by weight class, performed Friday, as well as when their next bout is (for those who advanced).

All photos credited to Delaware Source reporter Jack Slemenda and Tom Theodore.

106 lbs.

Jacob Willaman, Berlin vs. Emilio Rodriguez, Louisville

Jacob Willaman fell to Emilio Rodriguez by a 4-0 decision in the first round. The Berlin Bear grappler then went into the consolation bracket and lost to Blackburn Savage (Moeller) by tech fall, 15-0.

Cole Perry, Liberty vs. Bennett Wachter, Elyria

Cole Perry hung with Bennett Wachter for a bit, but ultimately lost by a 13-6 decision in the first round.

However, Perry fought on and defeated Mason Massouh (Revere) by a 12-3 major decision in the consolation bracket.

132 lbs.

Maddux Nauman, Berlin vs. Alex Denkins, Perrysburg

Maddux Nauman got pinned by Alex Denkins at the 4:43 mark in Berlin’s first match.

Yet, the Bears’ standout grappled his way into Saturday’s matches with a 4-1 decision over Brock Conley (Fairmont).

138 lbs.

Finnegan Cox, Hayes vs. Joel Brink, Green

Finnegan Cox fell to Joel Brink by a 4-3 decision in a tough, tight match that was went to the final whistle.

But that didn’t stop the Delaware product from pinning Marshall Emerson (Kings) in approximately 60 seconds to advance to Saturday.

Preston Schuler, Olentangy vs. Gage Older, Whitmer

It was tough sledding for Preston Schuler in the first round as he fell to Whitmer’s Gage Older by a 4-1 decision.

However, just like some of his fellow Delaware County wrestlers, Schuler later pinned Joe Schnurstein (Anderson) at the 3:11 mark in the consolation bracket.

Alex Mickens, Liberty vs. Urijah Lopez, Perrysburg

Urijah Lopez got the better of Alex Mickens with a pin at 1:41 of the first round. Aidan Autullo (Fremont Ross) later took Mickens out of the tournament by way of a 5-2 decision.

Brayden Becker-Shaw, Berlin vs. Karson Brown, St. Edward

Wrestling against a St. Edward Eagle is a tall task. Unfortunately it proved to be true when Karson Brown pinned Brayden Becker-Shaw at the 1:23 mark.

The Berlin wrestler later lost to Gael Ramirez (Moeller) in the consolation bracket via an 11-4 decision.

144 lbs.

Huggy Williams, Liberty vs. Sam Like, Little Miami

Huggy Williams certainly lived up to his name as he hugged, shoved and ultimately pinned Sam Like at the 2:45 mark to advance to Saturday’s matches.

150 lbs.

Aiden Milam, Liberty vs. Eli Guerra, Lebanon

Aiden Milam pinned Eli Guerra at the 1:16 mark to avoid the consolation bracket and continue his journey for a state title.

Delaware Source’s team was unable to photograph Aiden Milam, but will have photos of him from Saturday’s matches.

Cash Clark, Berlin vs. Hayden Drake, Fairmont

Cash Clark dominated Hayden Drake from the get-go, resulting in a 12-4 major decision win for the Berlin grappler.

Landon Moses, Olentangy vs. Kameron Bedel, Elder

Kameron Bedel seemed to have Landon Moses’ number from the moment the two got toe-to-toe. Moses fell to Bedel via an 11-6 decision, but stayed alive after handling Brayden Patterson (Avon Lake) thanks to a 6-5 decision.

165 lbs.

Chase Cone, Berlin vs. Carter Wickes, Brunswick

Carter Wickes couldn’t stop scoring points — at all. The Brunswick product took down Chase Cone via 17-1 tech fall.

But Cone rallied his way into Saturday’s ruond after pinning Carter Canaan (Trenton Edgewood) in just 29 seconds.

190 lbs.

Dylan Frass, Liberty vs. Chase McKenna, Walsh Jesuit

Dylan Frass finally overcame Chase McKenna to score a pin at the 5:59 mark to punch the Liberty wrestler’s ticket to Saturday’s round.

215 lbs.

Jackson Lane, Liberty vs. Drayston Martin, Ashland

Ashland’s Drayston Martin overwhelmed Liberty’s Jackson Lane with a 15-6 major decision win in the first round.

But hanging tough, Lane showed his strength with a 16-1 technical fall over Kallen Whitling (Medina Highland).

Cooper Frye, Hayes vs. Eian Englehart, Avon

Eian Englehart came into this match with a plan. It clearly worked. The Avon grappler quickly pinned Cooper Frye in 50 seconds, sending the Pacer to the consolation bracket.

Frye saw (and felt) what Englehart did to him and turned that into his own 57-second pin against Kolby Wallace (Fairmont) to return for another day.

285 lbs.

Daniel Stephens, Olentangy vs. Bryan Oh, Mason

Daniel Stephens battled and finally overcame, covering up Mason’s Bryan Oh at the 4:40 mark.