SIDELINES: WRESTLING

Clay qualifies 7 for state; Lytle goes for second title

Clay senior Garrett Gray hopes to end final season with win at state.

Clay will have an impressive representation at the state wrestling tournament this weekend with the third most individual qualifiers in Division I.

Seven Eagles earned a coveted spot to Columbus, trailing only powerhouse Lakewood St. Edward (14) and Cincinnati Moeller (eight).

Clay seniors Mike Screptock (126 pounds), Jacob Conine (132), Angelo Amenta (138), and Garrett Gray (285) hope to end their final seasons on the top of the podium at Value City Arena.

They will be joined by junior Jared Gray (29-6 at 220), sophomore Jared Davis (24-10 at 106), and freshman Richie Screptock (39-5 at 113).

Conine (42-5) and Amenta (40-9), who was third at state last year, and Gray (41-6), who was sixth at state last season, were district runners-up. Mike Screptock (43-5) placed third at district.

Perrysburg will have three at state -- Ryan Roth (junior, 34-11 at 138), Luke Boff (senior, 33-2 at 182), and Micah Carter (senior, 34-2 at 195).

St. Francis de Sales sophomore Michael Irvine (37-4) advanced at 106. Maumee sophomore Rocco Caywood (37-4) qualified at 170. St. John's Jesuit senior Ted Schoen (41-2) earned a spot at 195.

DIVISION II

In Division II, Central Catholic will have a five wrestlers at sate.

Levi Pickerel (33-7 at 285), a senior, took second at district. Senior Sam Viengmany (38-7) qualified at 145. Junior Matt Pool (31-10), who was eighth at state last season, advanced at 106.

Sophomore Alex Mossing (43-10 at 132) finished third at district and was seventh at state last year. Freshman Nate Hagan (37-9) qualified at 120.

Oak Harbor and Wauseon will each send three.

Rockets senior Alex Bergman (37-9 at 152) makes a return trip after finishing sixth last year, while juniors Luke Cramer (35-9) and Jared Chambers (30-11 at 160) qualified.

The Indians are paced by two district champions -- senior Dalton Nicely (43-6 at 138), and junior Zane Krall (44-3 at 220). Freshman Wade Hodges (36-5 at 113) advanced.

Bryan junior Shelden Struble (49-10 at 138) and Eastwood junior Kyle Patterson (47-9 at 182) qualified.

DIVISION III

Division III qualifiers include defending state heavyweight champion Mimmo Lytle of Swanton.

Lytle is a four-time state qualifier. He won his second straight district championship. Lytle (39-1) is the top seed at 285.

Archbold, Delta, and Elmwood all qualified four.

The Blue Streaks will be led by senior Jordan Cowell (60-2 at 152). who won a district title. He finished fifth at state last year at 140 and is Ohio's all-time winningest wrestler with a record of 233-21. Senior Austin Ripke (55-9) won a district title at 160. Sophomores Drew Coffey (53-10 at 106) and Travis Jaramillo (48-12 at 195) took second at district.

Delta senior Luke Kern (40-1 at 138) looks to improve upon back-to-back eighth-place finishes at state after winning a district title. Sophomore Tyler Fahrer (40-4 at 145) was seventh at state last year. Sophomore Kyle Keller (42-5 at 106) and junior Jared Mattin (21-5 at 152) advanced.

Elmwood senior Dexter Lee (42-3) captured a district title at 113. He took seventh at state in 2010. Senior Jake Baker (37-3 at 220) took sixth last season. Senior Mitchell Emmitt (35-10) qualified at 145 and junior Dustin Ferguson (43-7) advanced at 120.

Fostoria senior Angelo Eufracio (47-7 at 138) and junior Tony Reynolds (33-14 at 170) qualified.

Gibsonburg seniors Ryan Widmer (42-5 at 138) and Damen Escobedo (43-5 at 152) advanced.

Woodmore sophomore Evan Ulinski (42-3 at 106) and senior Dexter Emch (36-7 at 132) qualfied.

Freshman Ryan Patchin (35-16 at 170) is the first Evergreen wrestler in 12 years to reach state.

Other area qualifiers are:

Tivo Ysasi, Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic, (senior, 36-7 at 120); Ben Timmons, Lakota, (senior, 32-3 at 126); Zach Niner, Liberty Center, (junior, 34-5 at 132); Jake Sheehy, Genoa (senior, 51-2 at 182); Zach Sharpe, Lake, (senior, 45-5 at 182); Christian Peters, Cardinal Stritch, (senior, 36-6 at 182); Dalton Ishmael, North Baltimore, (junior, 46-0 at 195); Justin Gillen, Liberty Center, (senior, 30-9 at 285).