Wrestling | Division II updates

February 28, 2008 at 6:58p.m.

COLUMBUS — Howland’s Kyle Leek pulled off one of the biggest wins of the first round Thursday at the 71st state wrestling tournament. Leek, a fourth-place finisher at last week’s Division II district tournament at Akron Firestone, defeated Jacob Vaughan of Columbus DeSales, in a 125-pound match at Value City Arena.

Vaughan, a junior who came into the match with a 36-6 record, is a two-time state placer.

Leek, now 33-8, will next meet Tim Silvers of Eaton in a quarterfinal-round match Friday.

Four other area wrestlers won their first-round matches Thursday: Leek’s teammate, Greg Ryan (135), and Beaver Local’s Dylan Ice (140), Jon Bittinger (160) and Derek Wolfe (285).

Seven wrestlers lost in the first round and had to return to the mat Thursday night in consolation matches.