SECTIONAL WRESTLING West Branch, Brookfield take early lead

In Division I, Austintown Fitch trailed first-place Hudson by nine points.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
AUSTINTOWN -- Hudson was in first place with 100 points after two rounds Friday in the Division I sectional wrestling tournament at Fitch High School.
Fitch was a close second with 91. Madison was third with 84 and Canfield fifth with 78.5.
The Falcons' Brian Weidenthal (112) pinned Dustin Hartin of Kent Roosevelt in 3 minutes, 40 seconds and decisioned Eric Sturm of Geneva 8-4, while teammate Joe Murray (171) pinned Thad Morse of Hudson (1:14) and Bob Gephard of Lake in 55 seconds to reach today's semifinals.
Championship and consolation matches are scheduled for 6 p.m.
Other Falcon athletes who earned semifinal berths were Matt Westhead (119), Nick Bodnar (130), R.J. Donadee (135), Kyle Gabrick (140), Marc Noday (152), Fred Weidenthal (160) and Eric Chine (189).
Steve DeMaiolo of the Cardinals won twice at 112 pounds with a 15-2 major decision over Matt Martin of Chardon. He then decisioned Tony Owens of Madison 6-3. Teammate Jarek Esarco (189) pinned Matt Grimm of Kent Roosevelt in 41 seconds and he also pinned Erik Esterling of Lakeside (1:58). Both earned semifinal spots.
Division II
AUSTINTOWN -- West Branch was on top of the Division II sectional wrestling standings with 98 points following two rounds of competition Friday at Fitch High School.
Ten of the Warriors' athletes were competing in semifinal matches today, with championship and consolation finals set for 6 p.m.
Southeast was in second place with 85.5 points and Alliance was third with 74 in the field of 12 schools.
Four athletes in each class will advance to the districts next week.
Undefeated Brandon Alexander (31-0) of Howland pinned Jake Griner of Girard in 52 seconds and Chris Robbins of West Branch in 55 seconds.
Reaching the semis for the Warriors were Zach Miller (103), who pinned Brandon Whitesel of Crestwood in 3 minutes and Eric Morrow (119), who won by technical fall, 18-3, over Jared Hideg of Liberty.
Steve Hillard of West Branch (125) won a major decision over Marshall Brink of Field, 10-2, while teammates Andy Lamancusa (130) pinned Quashaine Riley of Akron Buchtel (3:25) and Kyle Esterle won a major decision over Jon Krause of Liberty, 15-6, to gain semifinal berths.
Other Warriors earning semifinal spots were Brad Learn (149), who pinned Alex Quesenberry of Field (3:17); Luke Bardo (145), who pinned Mike Firtha of Akron Kenmore (.57); Eric Citino (152), who pinned Clint Marsh of Southeast (1:36); Levi Bardo (160), who won by technical fall 17-2 over Matt Nutter of Crestwood; and Nathan Sharp (275), who pinned Brandon Rydarowicz of Hubbard (1:24).
Returning sectional champs Sonn Hostetter (119) of Salem and Matt Hogue (112), Jacob Bartley (125) and Brad Lanham (215) of Southeast advanced to the semis.
Division III
ROOTSTOWN -- Brookfield was in front in the Division III sectional wrestling tournament with 75 points after two rounds of competition Friday at Rootstown High.
Jackson-Milton was a close second with 71 points and Woodridge was third with 67 in the field of 12 schools.
Tristan Thompson (103), Justin Miller (112), Ross Tice (135), Dave Dillon (140), Ed Thompson (145), Josh Matthews (152), Anthony Policastro (160), John Underwood (189) and Richard Baum (275) of the Warriors earned berths for today's semifinals, with the championship and consolation matches to follow.
The Bluejays' athletes that earned semifinal spots were Jake Hambrick (112), Adam Gettman (119), Mark Gibbs (125), Nick Tomaino (130), Mike Wiseman (135), Nick Dierkes (31-0, 140), Adam Keck (152), John Rozumn (160) and Nate Miller (171).
Other semifinal berths were earned by Levi Hively (103) and Justin Carolyne (119) of South Range; Sean Poole (145), Ryan Baltic (189), Bradley Parks (215) and Nicholas Kolltsos (275) of Ursuline; Mike O'Brien (135), Tim McBride (140), Sam Rathburn (145), A.J. Seifert (215) and Chris Knorr (275) of Warren JFK.