Must See Matches
Is it me or is there projected to be bigger semifinal matches this season than ever before.
I think the best two kids in the district in a lot of cases could be paired up in the semifinals at least that seems to me to be the case at the Division III district tournament at Owens Community College.
St. Mary’s Troy Opfer and Patrick Henry’s Alex Lopez at 112, Tiffin Calvert’s Kyle Kwiat and Western Reserve’s Eric Reer are two examples at Owens. Looking at the Kettering Fairmont Division III bracket, Bluffton’s Josh Falk will be paired with Troy Christian’s Zach Toal (who gave Falk his only loss of the season) in the semis at 140 if both win their first two matches Friday.
Anyone have any other examples of possible semifinal matches that should be finals?
I also have to chime in that the 135 pound weight class at Owens is weak. Only 3 wrestlers in the entire weight class have less than nine losses. That is truly amazing.
Here are my list of five must-see matches from Friday night at the Owens District.
112 -- Ryan Rayfield (Delta) Jr. 24-11 vs. Steven Butcher (Western Reserve) Soph. 6-2
Rayfield was third at Owens last year at 103 pounds while Butcher was sixth at the same weight. Having a pair of district placers meet in the first round is relatively rare. And Butcher has just come back in the past couple of weeks as he was recovering from a broken leg.
119 -- Payton Oney (South Central) Fr. 45-1 vs. Jordan Karnes (Edgerton) Jr. 40-0
OK this is a second round matchup so sue me. Both wrestlers shouldn’t have much trouble in the first round. Oney has been sensational suffering his first loss of the season last weekend to returning state champ Harrington in the Plymouth final. Karnes, a returning state qualifier, may have the edge because he’s been here before.
125 -- Warren Fleetwood (Margaretta) Sr. 23-7 vs. Dustin Carnahan (Paulding) Jr. 37-11
One of those No.1 vs. No.4 matchups to watch in the first round. Fleetwood won the Plymouth Sectional last week and was the Sandusky Bay Conference runner-up the previous week which is never an easy task. Carnahan, a returning state qualifier, fell victim to a very tough 125 pound field at Archbold last week.
152 -- Mitchell Lee (Elmwood) Jr. 35-8 vs. Mason True (Arcadia) Jr. 31-5
Another possible second round match up if both get through their first round matches. Lee has Ayersville’s Jarred Hageman (24-7) and True has Sandusky St. Mary’s Max Dahs (35-17). They have met two or three times this season with True winning all of them in close fashion but it’s been a real battle each time they’ve square off. If they match up keep your eyes on that mat.
160 -- Derrick Yant (Delta) Jr. 38-2 vs. Shane Lehman (Arcadia) Jr. 29-12
Again two more district placers wrestling in the first round. Yant, a returning state placer, is the obvious favorite after having to drop into the consolation bracket last week at the Archbold Sectional for an illegal slam. Lehman was a state alternate last season and I think will be a tough customer in the consolation bracket. Whoever wins this match will likely have another toughie in the quarterfinals where Sandusky St. Mary’s Ryan Wasylik will likely await them.
Anyone have any matches they are looking forward to watching…it’s time to share!
I think the best two kids in the district in a lot of cases could be paired up in the semifinals at least that seems to me to be the case at the Division III district tournament at Owens Community College.
St. Mary’s Troy Opfer and Patrick Henry’s Alex Lopez at 112, Tiffin Calvert’s Kyle Kwiat and Western Reserve’s Eric Reer are two examples at Owens. Looking at the Kettering Fairmont Division III bracket, Bluffton’s Josh Falk will be paired with Troy Christian’s Zach Toal (who gave Falk his only loss of the season) in the semis at 140 if both win their first two matches Friday.
Anyone have any other examples of possible semifinal matches that should be finals?
I also have to chime in that the 135 pound weight class at Owens is weak. Only 3 wrestlers in the entire weight class have less than nine losses. That is truly amazing.
Here are my list of five must-see matches from Friday night at the Owens District.
112 -- Ryan Rayfield (Delta) Jr. 24-11 vs. Steven Butcher (Western Reserve) Soph. 6-2
Rayfield was third at Owens last year at 103 pounds while Butcher was sixth at the same weight. Having a pair of district placers meet in the first round is relatively rare. And Butcher has just come back in the past couple of weeks as he was recovering from a broken leg.
119 -- Payton Oney (South Central) Fr. 45-1 vs. Jordan Karnes (Edgerton) Jr. 40-0
OK this is a second round matchup so sue me. Both wrestlers shouldn’t have much trouble in the first round. Oney has been sensational suffering his first loss of the season last weekend to returning state champ Harrington in the Plymouth final. Karnes, a returning state qualifier, may have the edge because he’s been here before.
125 -- Warren Fleetwood (Margaretta) Sr. 23-7 vs. Dustin Carnahan (Paulding) Jr. 37-11
One of those No.1 vs. No.4 matchups to watch in the first round. Fleetwood won the Plymouth Sectional last week and was the Sandusky Bay Conference runner-up the previous week which is never an easy task. Carnahan, a returning state qualifier, fell victim to a very tough 125 pound field at Archbold last week.
152 -- Mitchell Lee (Elmwood) Jr. 35-8 vs. Mason True (Arcadia) Jr. 31-5
Another possible second round match up if both get through their first round matches. Lee has Ayersville’s Jarred Hageman (24-7) and True has Sandusky St. Mary’s Max Dahs (35-17). They have met two or three times this season with True winning all of them in close fashion but it’s been a real battle each time they’ve square off. If they match up keep your eyes on that mat.
160 -- Derrick Yant (Delta) Jr. 38-2 vs. Shane Lehman (Arcadia) Jr. 29-12
Again two more district placers wrestling in the first round. Yant, a returning state placer, is the obvious favorite after having to drop into the consolation bracket last week at the Archbold Sectional for an illegal slam. Lehman was a state alternate last season and I think will be a tough customer in the consolation bracket. Whoever wins this match will likely have another toughie in the quarterfinals where Sandusky St. Mary’s Ryan Wasylik will likely await them.
Anyone have any matches they are looking forward to watching…it’s time to share!
Labels: Owens District
posted by --J-- at 1:12 PM
3 Comments:
The 171's with Reed, Wolff, the kid from mohawk, Brickner from McComb and a kid i think can wrestle with any of them from Riverdale, Camper. His first year since 7th grade. On a good day he wrestles them all tough...Maybe this weight class isnt cast in stone...just yet.
Everyone has their own opinions, but I don't agree that Camper can keep it close with Reed or Wolff. First of all, Reed could hit him in a headlock at any point and finish the match in quick fashion...he's been known to be good at that. Then, Wolff is real good in his own right, very physical. Both, I believe, are returning state runner-ups.
Some matches from Friday night that might be good ones to watch (obviously the 2nd round match-ups are just speculation)...
103
-Elchert (Arc) vs. Lee (Elm) - 2nd round match-up that will be a good one if both get there. Lee is 2-1 against Elchert as Elchert caught him on his back the last time they wrestled.
-Traver (Gen) vs. Aranjo (Delta) - Another 2nd rounder with two good 103's, I think Aranjo pinned Traver the last time, but Traver is wrestling pretty decent. Wouldn't surprise me to see an upset here.
125
Van Atta (McComb) vs. Redd (Archbold) - 2nd round match-up that could be a nice match
140
Hermes (SMCC) vs. Fleming (Otsego) - First round match-up of two very good wrestlers. I know Hermes is projected as a runner up in the state, but Fleming is very sound and could pull off an upset if things fall right.
152
Kwiat (Calvert) vs. Short (Archbold) - 2nd rounder, should be good.
215
Mahl (SE) vs. McKibben (NW) - Two solid wrestlers meet in first round and winner has to wrestle Hunt.
285
Steward (Crest) vs. Tahy (Elm) - If both of these guys get here, this should be a nice match.
as with all wrestlin' its gotta be done on the mat. but what gives underdogs hope is.......kevin bailey upsetting john weakley 8-4. Nobody, but nobody guessed that one! is bailey state champion? doubt it, but it sure is fun to watch upsets...
Post a Comment
<< Home