Howland takes lead in Div. II sectional

Staff report

BELOIT

The Howland High wrestling team jumped out to a 110-90 lead over second-place West Branch on the first day of the Division II sectional meet at West Branch High.

The Tigers are still alive for championships in 11 of the 14 events. Aaron Jackson (113 pounds), J.R. Perry (120), Alex Cornicelli (126), Andrew Hamilton (132), Gabe Stark (138), Robby Klose (145), Tyler Drass (170), Brian Puharich (182), Josh Grodesky (195), Andrew Rolfe (220) and Austin Hutchins (285) also won their quarterfinal matches.

West Branch is still competing in the top bracket in 10 weight classes, thanks to quarterfinal wins by Travis Pidgeon (113), Braycen Shelton (132), Mikey Estock (138), Kenny Faulkner (145), Tyler Pidgeon (152), William Paynter (160), Aaron Page (170), Joe Karlen (182), Clayton Bates (220) and Conner Sharp (285).

Semifinal, final and consolation matches are today. The top four finishers in each weight class advance to next week’s district tournament at Alliance High School.

Division III

ROOTSTOWN

Girard’s Dan Johntony will meet South Range’s Kirklin Grahovac today in the championship semifinals of the 132-pound class.

Manchester, Rootstown and Girard lead with 78, 63 and 52 points, respectively.

To advance, Johntony won by technical fall over Crestview’s Derek Kaziowski, 16-0, while Grahovac decisioned Jackson-Milton’s Tyler Staton, 13-9.

In the 138-pound class, Girard’s Garrett Bass is also in a championship semi after winning twice.

Bass first pinned United’s Devan McCallister in 2:58, then decisioned JM’s Nate Skaggs, 9-6.

Among 152-pounders, Girard’s Mathew Deal will face Liberty’s Tyrell Jethrow in the championship semis.

On Friday, Deal pinned McDonald’s Zach McGarry in 5:36, then scored a 12-1 major decision over Jackson-Milton’s Chris Bailey.

Jethrow pinned Joe Abdalla of Wellsville in 1:59.

Another Girard Indian, James Cupan, reached the championship semis and will face South Range’s Max Brookes.

On Friday, James Cupan pinned United’s Cole Buttermore in 1:57, while Brookes pinned Mogadore’s Caleb Slabaugh in 0:05.

Jackson-Milton’s Mitch Tikkanen (106) is also in a championship semifinal after pinning Crestview’s R.J. Sevenick at 1:15.

At 113, another Bluejay, Devin Seka, decisioned Manchester’s Dylan Rediger, 2-0, while Girard’s Zane Chase pinned United’s Tristan Phillips in 0:40.

Brookfield’s Zack Jamieson decisioned United’s Travis Mitchell, 6-1, to set up a championship semi battle in the 120-pound class.

Crestview’s Jeff Sayer will face Manchester’s Hank Fowler in the 145 championship semis while Liberty’s Ty Banks awaits Waterloo’s Josh Horning.

Sayer decisioned Jackson-Milton’s Adam Jeffries, 8-4, and Banks pinned Aquinas’ Ja’lon Humphries in 2:33.