Wrestling notebook Notes from Akron

Brutal district: The Akron Firestone is considered to be one of the toughest in Ohio, regardless of division and the most competitive in Division II. The numbers back it up: In 2008, the district produced 35 state placers, including three state champions and three runners-up. The placers were the most among all four Division II districts. The district has historically been so tough the state used to allot five state qualifying spots to Firestone, instead of the customary four.

Local qualifiers from Firestone: The Mahoning Valley has qualified a total of 20 wrestlers out of the Firestone district to the state tournament. In 2005, there were eight qualifiers, six in 2006, one in 2007 and five in 2008.

Firestone in 2009: Six projected state champions are competing at Firestone this weekend — almost half of the 14 projected champions, according to the Brakeman Report.

Girls: Crestwood’s Paige Nemec (103 pounds) and Ashtabula Edgewood’s Ashley Keenan (112) are the first female wrestlers ever to advance to the Akron Firestone district tournament.

Day Two: Friday’s action included two rounds of championships, with no consolation matches, therefore no wrestler was eliminated from the tournament. Wrestling will begin at 9 this morning with two rounds of consolations, followed by the semifinals and more consolations. The finals will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Eric Hamilton