SIDELINES

League wrestling tourneys this weekend

1/31/2013

League wrestling tournaments will take the spotlight Friday and Saturday.

Competition kicks off Friday with the Ohio Wrestling League tournament at Northwood, where Gibsonburg will attempt to defend its team championship from a year ago.

Opening-round matches are set to start at 4:30 p.m., and the event will continue through the championship matches.

Clay, ranked No. 5 in the Division I state coaches poll, is favored to defend its Three Rivers Athletic Conference team title, and will bid to do so on its home mats Saturday.

The TRAC first-round matches begin at 10 a.m., and the finals are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Last season, Clay powered to a 237.5-160 victory over runner-up Central Catholic, which is again expected to be the Eagles’ closest rival.

Clay is seeking a fifth consecutive league championship overall, having won titles in its final three seasons in the City League (2009-11).

Also gunning for a repeat will be the area’s other top Division I team, Perrysburg, which looks to defend its Northern Lakes League title Saturday at Springfield.

First-round NLL matches are set to begin at 10 a.m., with the championship finals scheduled for 4 p.m.

Last year, Perrysburg’s Yellow Jackets rolled to a 213-165.5 victory over runner-up Southview. The Jackets also won the crown in 2011.

In the Northern Buckeye Conference, perennial Division III power Elmwood attempts to repeat its title Saturday at Woodmore.

Opening-round matches will begin at 10 a.m., and the finals could start as early as 2 p.m., depending on the progression of the preliminary and consolation rounds.

Last season, the Royals squeaked out the NBC title by a narrow 167.5-165 margin over runner-up Eastwood. Before winning that inaugural NBC crown, Elmwood had also triumphed in the final three Suburban Lakes League tournaments.

In the Northwest Ohio Athletic League, Wauseon looks to win its fourth straight championship Saturday at Delta.

First-round matches will begin at 10 a.m., and wrestling will continue through the championship round, which could begin as early as 2 p.m. depending on the pace of the brackets.

Last year at Bryan, Wauseon took its third straight NWOAL title by a 255.5- 220 margin over runner-up Archbold.

Wauseon is ranked No. 8 in the D-II state coaches poll, and Delta and Archbold entered ranked Nos. 3 and 7, respectively, in the D-III state poll.