DELAWARE — Olentangy Orange’s Mackenzie Carder is on her way to a wrestling state championship match on Sunday after cruising through the quarter and semifinals.
Counting Carder, eight Delaware County girls grappled under the Schottenstein Center’s lights on Saturday — four in the main bracket and four in the consolation bracket.
Two other Pioneers clawed through the quarterfinals, joining Carder in the semifinals — but couldn’t extend their state title hopes.
Below is a full breakdown of how each wrestler competed, more information on their next match (if they advanced) and photos of the action.
All photos credited to Delaware Source reporter Jack Slemenda and Tom Theodore.
Mackenzie Carder, Orange — 120 lbs.
Mackenzie Carder flashed her speed against Caroline Davis (of Ross) as the Pioneer pinned Davis in just 60 seconds flat.
Carder then took on Clyde’s Meredith Greenslade in the semifinals, where Carder zoomed to another quick pin.
The Pioneer clinched her spot in Sunday’s state championship match in just 1:19.
She’ll take on Marysville’s Cami Leng for the 120 lbs. title on Sunday.
Below are photos from Carder’s semifinal match.
Lacie Knick, Orange — 130 lbs.
Former state champion Lacie Knick kept the Pioneer pins rolling as she took down Southeast’s Riley Diehl in 2:56.
Knick then set her sights on Eleanor Polking (of Oak Hills) in the semifinals, but couldn’t establish enough momentum.
Polking took the match via a 7-3 decision.
The former state champion Pioneer will wrestle in the consolation bracket quarterfinals on Sunday. Third is the highest she could place this year.
Below are photos from Knick’s semifinal match.
Tara Davis, Orange — 145 lbs.
Tara Davis danced her way around the mat to an 8-5 decision victory over Tori Wilson (of Tuscarawas Valley).
The Pioneer then grappled with Crestview’s Naomi Gearheart in the semifinals, but couldn’t get her game online.
Gearheart handed Davis a 15-1 major-decision loss.
Davis will wrestle in the consolation bracket quarterfinals on Sunday — third is the highest she could place.
Below are photos from Tara Davis’ semifinal match.
Tamia Davis, Orange — 155 lbs.
Tamia Davis couldn’t seem to find a rhythm to her more methodical style and was ultimately pinned by Archbold’s Vivienne Legato in 2:34.
The Pioneer then grappled with Brielle Proffitt (of Watkins Memorial) in the consolation bracket, with Davis pinning Proffitt in 2:19.
However, Davis’ tournament later came to a close as she went down to Lebanon’s Natalie Carlisle by way of a 1:27 pin.
Consolation Bracket breakdown
Below is a list of outcomes for the four wrestlers who started in the consolation bracket on Saturday.
- Delaney Tackett, Orange: Lost to Leah Willen (of Harrison) by way of a 9-0 major decision.
- Sarah Amonette, Orange: Lost to Avalyn Stockman (of Dayton-Northridge) via an 8-3 decision.
- Katelyn Norris, Big Walnut: Lost to Haylynn Littleton (of Harrison) after a pin in 3:46.
- Evelyn Krauss, Hayes: Lost to Chelsea Gipson (of Cleveland Heights) by way of a 7-5 decision.
