Eight Valley wrestlers win their first-round matches

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Eight wrestlers from the Valley won their first-round matches at the state championships on Thursday.

Those eight remain in contention for a state title, while six others, who lost in the first round, won a consolation match and can still get to the podium on Saturday night.

Among the first round winners were J.R. Perry (103 pounds) of Howland, and Boardman’s Jerry Pasquale (119) and John Dillon (125), all in Division I.

Also winning on Thursday were Arizona Miller (125) and Dylan Ice (145) of Beaver Local in Div. II, along with Jake Mellinger (130) of West Branch and Hubbard’s Anthony Nadeja (160). St. Paris Graham leads the team standings with 32.5 points, while Beaver Local (9) is tied for ninth.

In Div. III, Vinnie Pizzuto (112) and Johnny Matacic (130), both of Jackson-Milton, won their first-round matches. The Bluejays are tied for 12th place in the team standings with six points. Bedford Chanel leads the standings with 19.5 points.

Shawn Ague (112) of Austintown Fitch was among the half-dozen athletes who won consolation matches on Thursday night. Ague lost a tough 3-2 decision to Edgar Bright of Lakewood St. Edward before rebounding to pin Harrison’s Dillon Campbell.

Also staying alive after suffering first-round losses were Dustin Graham (112) of West Branch, Jake Henderson (189) of Beaver Local, Tyler Thompson (119) of Brookfield and Jacob Carpenter (125) of Girard.

J.P. Hoopes (135) and Tyler Strawser (145), and Mike Nentwick (171) of Beaver Local each suffered two losses on Thursday and were eliminated from the tournament.