3 local D-I competitors guaranteed top-6 finishes

2/26/2005

COLUMBUS-No Division I wrestler from northwest Ohio is guaranteed to finish better than third at the state meet but three are guaranteed to place in the top six.

Perrysburg's Matt Holland, Cody Reitmeier of Springfield and Tim Samson from Whitmer stayed alive yesterday and now must win two matches to take third in today's consolation round.

Holland (38-7) suffered his first loss since Dec. 29 in the 130-pound championship semifinals. Holland, a senior, had won 24 matches in a row and was the only grappler from the area that still had a chance to reach the championship match.

"Being in the semifinals was big for me," Holland said. "I didn't think I'd be the only one left [from the Toledo area]. It's something I'm proud of."

Holland fell behind top-seeded Zach Mizer of Massillon Perry early, could not catch up and lost 13-7.

Reitmeier (42-5) lost in the first round on Thursday, but the senior came back with two straight pins and then a technical fall yesterday at 171.

Samson (36-9), a sophomore, also lost his first match of the tournament, but responded with three straight wins to reach the consolation semifinals.

Start sophomore Roshawn Jones (32-6) won his first two matches of the tournament, but then lost two in a row yesterday. Perrysburg's Tony Castillo (38-10) also won two matches at the state championships yesterday, but lost his final one.

St. John's seniors Nate Savona and James Kettinger won their initial matches Thursday, but each dropped both of their matches yesterday. Southview's Erik Mayer also captured his first round match but then lost back-to-back bouts yesterday.

- Mark Monroe