NEWARK — He’s the projected Division I heavyweight state champ and Mount Vernon’s Alex Taylor looked the part Saturday.
A junior, Taylor pinned his way to a sectional championship at the Newark sectional tournament. He spent less than three minutes on the mat combined with three first-period pins, improving his season record to 32-1.
Mount Vernon tied for second with Olentangy Orange in the team standings with 200.5 points. Dublin Coffman won going away with 308.5 points.
Taylor was one of four Yellow Jackets to win individual titles Saturday.
Mavrik Gregory (157), Jake Taylor (165) and Luke Mullins (190) all won sectional crowns. Caleb Snyder (106) and Mason Mitchell (150) took runner-up honors, while Gabe Thomas (144) was third and Tye Thomas (132) was fourth. All eight advance to next week’s district tournament at Hilliard Darby.
Division III
In a possible preview of the Division III 144-pound state championship match, Northmor’s Cowin Becker held off Cenbergurg’s Chris Marshall 4-3 for a sectional title at Ridgedale.
Last year’s state runner-up at 138, Marshall is the projected state champ. Becker, who finished fourth at state at 132 last year, is the projected runner-up.
Marshall was one of three Trojans to advance to next week’s district tournament. Cory Climer was second at 113 and Noah Matthews was third at 120.
East Knox’s Blake Elliott ran into a buzzsaw in the 190-pound championship match. Elliott, who was sixth at state at 190 last year, fell to Mechanicsburg’s Ronnie Thomas, the projected state champ. Thomas improved to 46-0.
Fredericktown’s Devon Whitt finished third at 215 to advance to the district tournament.