By AARON LABATT
FOR THE EXAMINER
COLUMBUS — It was close to a perfect start for Indian Lake’s wrestling trio Friday at the opening day of the OHSAA Division III state wrestling tournament.
Senior Owen Pummel (215) and junior Christopher Timms (285) both delivered opening round wins and advanced to the championship quarterfinals, while freshman Jordan Henderson (120) suffered back-to-back losses and was eliminated.
“I’m proud of them and it was a great way to start,” said IL head coach Ryan Dickson. “They got to their offense and that’s the name of the game.”
Pummel and Timms now need to win one more match to advance to the championship semifinals and secure a top six finish. If they lose, they will need to win one more match to earn a top eight finish. The top eight in each weight class place.
“They need to keep doing the same thing,” said Dickson. “They need to work hard, keep doing what they are doing and don’t make it more than what it is.”
A two-time state placer, Pummel is the projected state runner-up this weekend. He started off his tournament in dominating fashion by pinning Dalton’s Kaden Russell in 5:05.
Pummel jumped out to a 7-2 lead after the opening period and led 13-3 after the second period. The Laker was his way to a technical fall when Russell tried to roll across his back, but Pummel caught him for a pin and the victory.
Pummel (31-3) now takes on Harrison Central’s Knox McKibben (46-3) in the championship quarterfinals.
For Timms, it was his first time competing at the state tournament. He didn’t show any signs of stage fright, though, and instead showed off his athleticism and speed by defeating Nelsonville York’s Will Odenthal by a 10-3 score.
Timms led 3-1 after the first period and 6-3 at the end of the second period. Timms took down to start the third period. He followed with an escape and another takedown to jump ahead for the eventual 10-3 score.
The Laker heavyweight (29-5) moves on to face Dalton’s Cohen Riggenbach (25-0) in the championship quarterfinals. Riggenbach placed third at last year’s state meet.
Freshman Jordan Henderson (120) also competed for the Lakers Friday at the state tournament. Unfortunately, Henderson went 0-2 after suffering back-to-back losses and was eliminated from the tournament. He finished the season with an impressive 43-9 record.
“It was a great experience for Jordan to wrestle here,” said Dickson. “He’s had an amazing year and hopefully he learned from it. Let’s get him back down here next year and win some matches.”
Henderson first fell to Lake Catholic’s Tommy Slack in the opening round by a 17-2 technical fall. The Laker then lost in the first consolation round to South Central’s Diton Farnsworth by a 14-5 major decision.
COLUMBUS – Triad senior Awsom Mitchell performed like a seasoned veteran here Friday in the opening round of the OHSAA Division III state wrestling tournament.
A state runner-up last season, Mitchell dominated inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center with a 19-2 technical fall over Bidwell River Valley’s Levi Wood.
Mitchell (46-2) now has a key championship quarterfinal match Saturday morning. He faces Tinora two-time state placer Aiden Hemlke (34-4).
The winner advances to the state semifinals and guarantees themselves a top six placement. Top eight at each weight class earn a spot on the podium.
While Mitchell sailed past his first hurdle, teammate Wyatt Smith fell in his first match for the Cardinals.
A sophomore, Smith fell to Mohawk’s Owen Patrizi by a 19-3 technical fall in the opening round. Smith was unable to come up with a win in the consolation rounds after falling to Crooksville’s Christian Browning by a 7-1 score. The Cardinal standout ends the season with a 44-15 record.
Wrestling for Division III starts at 9:30 a.m. today with the championship quarterfinals.