HEPHNER TOURNEY Fitch advances seven wrestlers in first round

AUSTINTOWN -- Area wrestlers in every class but 119 pounds were unbeaten after three rounds of competition Friday at the Josh Hephner Memorial Wrestling Tournament at Fitch High School.
Seven of those athletes were from the defending champion Fitch High in the field of 20 schools.
Entering this morning's competition were: the Falcons' Brian Weidenthal, 112 pounds; Dave Drummond, 125; Nick Bodnar, 130; R.J. Donadee, 135; Ross Leskovec, 140; Brett Gabrick, 145; Fred Weidenthal, 160; Eric Chine, 189; and Matt Smail, 215.
Max Pearce of Poland and Jacob Bartley of Southeast also won three matches in the 125 class as did the Pirates' Dave Senty at 130.
Winning three matches for Jackson-Milton were Nick Dierkes, 140, and Adam Keck, 152.
Also with three wins were: Liberty's Todd Rogers, 152; Tylor Williams, 171; Paul Martin, 189 and Tim Davis, heavyweight. Chris Knorr of Warren JFK did the same at 275.
Southeast was on top of the early standings with 86 points. Fitch (Blue) was second with 79, Uniontown Lake was third with 67.5 and was followed by Ravenna with 63.5 and Shaker Heights with 63.
Championships, consolations and fifth place matches will get under in the Fitch High gymnasium at 6 p.m.