Junior high wrestlers place at state tournament

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Canfield's David Labra (left) placed sixth at 126 pounds at the state tourney.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Canfield Village Middle School seventh-grader C.J Frost (back) controls opponent Garrett Carter from Akron Wrestling Club during the junior high state tournament. Frost won 3-0 to finish fifth in the state.

More than 842 junior high wrestlers from around the state competed for OAC (Ohio Athletic Committee) state championships last weekend at Youngstown’s Covelli Center.

“This is an excellent venue for the tournament, and everyone has been super supportive,” said tournament director Jared Opfer, of the 3,000 fans who attended the tournament. “Next week, the numbers go up as we host the Grade School State Tournament and over 1,200 kids will be participating.”

Several Valley wrestlers earned spots in the top eight of their 64-man bracket.

CANFIELD

Canfield’s CJ Frost finished fifth at 108 pounds. He won four matches to earn a spot in the semifinals before falling 21-8 to eventual tournament champion, Zac Carson.

After his loss in the semis, Frost rallied with a takedown and a cradle to earn an 8-4 victory over Brady Barnett to take fifth place.

Teammate David Labra lost in the championship quarterfinals via pin to Brian Schram in the 90-pound bracket. He fought back through the consolation bracket to advance to the fifth-sixth match and a rematch against Schram. Labra lost 12-0, but finished on the podium in sixth place.

Cameron Tareshawty (154 pounds) also competed for the Cardinals, losing two close matches, 7-3 and 2-1.