CADIZ — Christopher Marshall had to learn the hard way last year what district competition felt like.
The Centerburg sophomore qualified for the Division III Central District tournament as a freshman, but struggled early, dropping his first match to Malvern sophomore Jordan Burrows, 12-5.
He came back to win two consolation matches before falling to Coshocton senior Ethan Dixon, 5-0, in the quarterfinals.
It was a solid finish; after all, most freshmen don’t make it that far to begin with. But according to Centerburg head coach Alec Szanati, it wasn’t good enough for the 126-pounder.
“He’s one kid who just hates to lose,” Szanati said.
So, Marshall got back to work. He used the experience as motivation, Szanati said, to come back stronger this winter. And so far, the results have spoken for themselves.
“He’s having one heck of a season, just top to bottom. He’s solid. He gets after it in the room. He’s putting the extra time in and doing what he’s gotta do to improve. …” Szanati said. “He hasn’t lost a lot.”
Marshall came into this weekend with a 35-7 record, after finishing last year 18-13. He won his first sectional title last Saturday at Heath High School, after placing third during his freshman campaign.
And on Friday, in front of a packed gymnasium at Harrison Central High School, the sophomore made his return to the district stage.
He did not disappoint.
Marshall won both of his matches – pinning Northridge junior Braxton Ankrom with 48 seconds left in the first period, then defeating Crooksville sophomore Christian Browning, 5-0 – to advance to the district semifinals.
He will wrestle Zane Trace junior Zane Pickerrell on Saturday morning for the opportunity to compete for a district title.
“He started last year (and was) basically brand new. He wrestled a little bit in youth. But he had a great season last year. And now, he’s sitting in the semis this year,” Szanati said late Friday. “That year of experience, it’s huge.”
Marshall was one of seven Knox County wrestlers to win both matches and advance to the district semifinals Friday.
His teammate, junior 157-pounder Caylan LeMaster, did so as well. LeMaster pinned Fort Frye senior Stone Dixon with 1:23 left in the third period, then outlasted Elgin sophomore Quinten Harrison in an epic duel, 8-7, to make it back to the semifinals for the second straight season.
The second day of district competition did not bode well for LeMaster last year. He lost three straight matches, finishing one win short of his first state tournament berth. Szanati said the junior will need to master the little things and avoid complacency in order to seize the opportunity this time around.
“He did what he had to do to get by,” Szanati said of LeMaster’s performance Friday. “I talked to him after his quarterfinal match and I told him he’s gotta tighten some stuff up tomorrow, and he can’t rest his hat on just being in the semis. You know, he was in this spot last year and he dropped his next three. We’re trying to get a different outcome this time.”
Meanwhile, at Hilliard Darby High School, five Mount Vernon wrestlers advanced to the semifinals of the Division I Central District tournament. All will compete on the stage for the first time Saturday.
Junior Brock Blankenhorn (106) pinned both of his opponents Friday to advance. He pinned Delaware Hayes freshman Jordyn Welling with 29 seconds left in the first period, then Hilliard Davidson freshman Jute Marihugh with 56 seconds left in the first period to punch his ticket to the semifinals.
Blankenhorn went 1-1 on opening night last year and had to battle his way through the consolation bracket, eventually finishing fourth to qualify for his first state tournament.
Freshman Mavrik Gregory (144) proved dominant Friday as well. He defeated Teays Valley junior Wesley Henderson via tech fall, 17-1, before taking care of Westerville Central junior Daine Cochern, 8-1, to advance to the semifinals in his district debut.
Sophomore Jake Taylor (150) pinned Marysville junior Joseph Bates with 17 seconds left in the first period, then outlasted Upper Arlington senior Vinny Melragon, 3-2, to make the cut. Taylor went 0-1 on opening night last year, eventually winning once before falling in the consolation bracket.
Sophomore Mason Mitchell (157) made the semifinals in his district debut by edging Upper Arlington senior Luke Stricker, 9-7, then pinning Dublin Jerome junior Thomas Leonard with 16 seconds left in the first period.
And freshman Alex Taylor (215) reached the semifinals in his first district appearance by pinning St. Charles senior Jackson Homon with 40 seconds left in the first period, then outlasting Marysville junior Stephen Garcia, 3-2.
STILL IN THE HUNT: Eleven other Knox County wrestlers suffered losses Friday, but are still in the hunt for a state bid, as they will have the opportunity to work their way through the consolation bracket Saturday.
Mount Vernon freshman Preston Hempfield (113) lost his first-round match, as he was pinned by Worthington Kilbourne sophomore Blaise Parrill with 12 seconds left in the second period. He will begin Saturday in the first round of the Division I consolation bracket.
Mount Vernon sophomore Aden Burdulis (120) lost his first-round match, as he was pinned by Grove City sophomore Wyatt Fowler with 1:16 left in the second period. He will begin Saturday in the first round of the Division I consolation bracket.
Mount Vernon senior Rylan Firebaugh (132) won his first-round match, defeating Central Crossing junior Braden Sheets via major decision, 11-3, but lost his quarterfinal match to Dublin Coffman sophomore Adam Makour, 3-1. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division I consolation bracket.
Mount Vernon sophomore Kayden Packard (165) lost his first-round match, falling to Teays Valley junior Austin Blackburn, 6-3. He will begin Saturday in the first round of the Division I consolation bracket.
Mount Vernon junior Kyler Howard (175) lost his first-round match, falling to Upper Arlington senior Chris Eggleton, 5-4. He will begin Saturday in the first round of the Division I consolation bracket.
Mount Vernon freshman Luke Mullins (190) won his first-round match, pinning Worthington Kilbourne senior Brendan McGough with 1:26 left in the first period, but was pinned by Olentangy Liberty junior Brady Quillin with 1:09 left in the first period of his quarterfinal match. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division I consolation bracket.
Fredericktown sophomore Trent Rooke (113) won his first-round match, pinning Elgin sophomore John Willis with 65 seconds left in the third period, but was pinned by Sandy Valley senior Branden Boggs with 33 seconds left in the second period of his quarterfinal match. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division III consolation bracket.
East Knox sophomore Blake Elliott (190) won his first-round match, defeating Marion Pleasant junior Landon O’Donnell, 9-5, but lost his quarterfinal match to Martins Ferry senior Alexander Finsley, 7-3. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division III consolation bracket.
Fredericktown senior Mason Hoeflich (190) won his first-round match, pinning Westfall sophomore Wes Moats with 25 seconds left in the first period, but was pinned by Caldwell senior Marshal Sayre with a minute left in the first period of his quarterfinal match. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division III consolation bracket.
Centerburg junior Charlie Sargent (215) lost his first-round match, falling to Harrison Central junior Lucas Thomas via major decision, 8-0, but rebounded to pin Newark Catholic junior Nate Willis with 1:28 left in the second period of his first-round consolation match. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division III consolation bracket.
Centerburg senior Mason Lanthorn (285) won his first-round match, pinning Zane Trace junior J.T. Jenkins with 56 seconds left in the third period, but was pinned by Caldwell junior Jase Norman with 36 seconds left in the second period of his quarterfinal match. He will begin Saturday in the second round of the Division III consolation bracket.
One Knox County wrestler saw his season come to a close Friday. Fredericktown senior Lucas Herbst (285) was eliminated after losing his first two matches.
Herbst was pinned by Paint Valley senior Dakota Tennant with 1:04 left in the first period of his first-round match, and he was pinned by Fort Frye junior Morgan Smith with 18 seconds left in the second period of his first-round Division III consolation match.
Herbst placed second in his weight class at last weekend’s sectional tournament. He also placed second at this year’s Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference tournament.
District wrestling will resume Saturday morning (the Division I tournament at Hilliard Darby will resume at 9 a.m., while the Division III tournament at Harrison Central will resume at 10 a.m.).
The top four placers in each weight class will qualify for the state tournament March 10-12 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
Click here for more information on the Division I Central District tournament (including brackets, schedules and full team results). Click here for more information on the Division III Central District tournament.
