State Wrestling Day 2 news & notes

DIVISION II

Canfield: Sophomore Dominic Cooper (182) placed for the first time in his career after beating Reading’s Baden Pinson, 8-6. The turning point was a pancake takedown where Cooper utilized some of his Greco-Roman skills to redirect a shot and flip Pinson. “I’m really good with the underhook and I have great hips. If people shoot with their arms out, I take advantage of it,” Cooper said. “The way he was coming, I read that he was going to shoot like that.” Cooper is still in the consolation race after his opponent, Sandusky’s Shykel Jones, had to forfeit due to injury. Jacob Esarco (220) lost 3-2 to Middletown Madison’s Nick Svarda. Esarco conceded and early lead and Svarda ran out the clock by repeatedly shoving his opponent out of bounds. Esarco is still in the consolation bracket after beating Hamilton Ross’ Karson Chasteen in a 3-1 decision. Mason Giordano (285) was eliminated from the tournament after losing 2-1 to Delaware Buckeye Valley’s Wes Cochran.

Poland: Dante Ginetti (120) lost 17-1 to Claymont’s Tyler Warner and Ashland’s Matthew Taylor eliminated him by pin in 2:04. Dave Esarco (145) remains in the tournament at the expense of Beaver Local’s Jason Keyes, but was pushed into the seventh place match by Western Brown’s Jake Henderson in a 3-0 decision.

West Branch: Ian Sharp (285) had a 1-0 lead over New Lexington’s Matt Adams in the third period with 45 seconds left in the match, but Adams scored a late takedown to pull off the upset. He was eliminated from the tournament after dropping a 7-2 decision to Mansfield Madison’s Sean Williams. Sharp was considered to be the favorite to win state.

Beaver Local: Keyes (145) dropped into the consolation round after losing a 5-0 decision to Wauseon’s Sandro Ramirez and was eliminated by Poland’s Esarco in a 4-2 decision, Beau Smith (132) was eliminated Paris St. Graham’s Ryan Thomas pinned him in 1:21.

DIVISION III

South Range: Anthony Renforth (145) was eliminated in a 4-3 decision against Milan Edison’s Alex Neuberger. Neuberger scored a reversal with eight seconds left in the match to oust Renforth.

Brookfield: Zach Hackett (220) was eliminated after losing a 7-3 decision to Mogadore’s Connor Kelly.

Grand Valley: Cody Rhoads (138) moved on to the consolation semifinals after a 10-4 decision over Dayton Christian’s Henry Danishek in the second round and pinned Gibsonburg’s Hugo Villerreal.

Pymatuning Valley: Gaige Willis (182) is familiar with his finals opponent, Rocky River Lutheran’s James Handwerk. He lost to him in districts in a 3-1 decision.

— Brian Dzenis, The Vindicator