COLUMBUS — Mount Vernon junior Brock Blankenhorn hoisted his arms in the air, over and over again, pumping up the crowd and flexing as a smile stretched across his face.
Centerburg junior Caylan LeMaster jumped off the mat, let out a hard-earned roar, and leapt into his coach’s arms, nearly knocking him over with excitement.
Mount Vernon junior Emma Rinehart clapped three times, hugged her coach, then began jumping up and down with excitement.
And Mount Vernon freshman Alex Taylor pointed toward the stands, howled like a wolf, then let out another passionate bellow after slapping his coach a vicious two-handed high-five.
This was the scene Saturday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, on the second day of the OHSAA state wrestling tournament.
This is what it looked like – and sounded like – when four Knox County wrestlers won their second-round consolation matches, earning the right to finish on the podium in their respective weight classes Sunday.
“It’s huge, honestly. It takes a lot of time and dedication to get on the podium, let alone get closer to the top of it than the bottom. It’s a lot of hard work. …” Blankenhorn said.
The junior traveled to Florida, West Virginia and Virginia last summer to compete against some of the nation’s top wrestlers. He also runs a mile before school every day and heads to Ashland twice a week – after practice at Mount Vernon – to practice again, alongside an experienced group of wrestlers he’s known for years. All in an effort to get better.
“It’s just a lot of hours on the mat, really – focusing in and working on your flaws and what not, and improving what you’re already good at. …” Blankenhorn said. “You can’t get on the podium if you don’t train in the summer. It’s not a half-year sport. It’s a full-year sport if you want to be the best.”
The four Knox County wrestlers who won their second-round consolation matches Saturday are guaranteed a spot on the podium Sunday. How they wrestled Saturday night – and how they wrestle Sunday morning – will determine where they end up.
Blankenhorn (106) started Saturday in the Division I championship quarterfinals, but quickly fell to the consolation bracket, as he was pinned by Brecksville freshman Rylan Seacrist 20 seconds into the second period.
The loss did not deter the returning state qualifier, however. Blankenhorn rebounded to win his second-round consolation match, outlasting Westerville North freshman Colton Russell, 2-1, to earn a spot on the podium. He went on to pin LaSalle freshman Alijah Mohanna with 44 seconds left in the second period to advance to the consolation semifinals.
Blankenhorn will wrestle Sunday morning for the right to compete in the third-place match. The highest he can finish in his weight class Sunday is third; the lowest he can finish is sixth.
Taylor (215), who lost his first match in overtime Friday before winning his second, started Saturday in the consolation bracket. And the freshman picked up right where he left off, defeating Austintown-Fitch junior Mark Stankorb, 3-1, to earn a spot on the podium.
Taylor went on to edge Lancaster junior Cole Dickerson, 2-1, to advance to the consolation semifinals. He will wrestle Sunday morning for the right to compete in the third-place match. The highest he can finish in his weight class Sunday is third; the lowest he can finish is sixth.
Rinehart (115), competing in the inaugural OHSAA girls state tournament, started Saturday in the championship quarterfinals, but quickly suffered a loss that sent her to the consolation bracket. She was pinned by Delaware Hayes senior Molly Wells with 38 seconds left in the first period.
Rinehart rebounded that afternoon, however, pinning Olentangy Orange junior Josie Nickoloff with 16 seconds left in the second period of their second-round consolation match to earn a spot on the podium.
Rinehart fell in her final match of the day, dropping a 6-4 decision to Oak Hills senior Lexi Grant. She will wrestle for seventh place Sunday morning.
LeMaster (157) started Saturday in the Division III championship quarterfinals, but fell to the consolation bracket after losing to the tournament’s top overall seed, Keystone junior Tristin Greene, via tech fall, 17-1.
The Centerburg junior rebounded to win that afternoon, however, edging South Range senior Jacob Starkey, 5-4, in the second round of the consolation bracket to earn a spot on the podium.
LeMaster lost his final match of the day, as he was pinned by Malvern sophomore Tyson Clear with three seconds left in the first period. He will wrestle for seventh place Sunday morning.
One Knox County wrestler saw his season come to an end Saturday.
East Knox sophomore Blake Elliott, who made it back to state this year despite missing two months with a dislocated elbow, lost both of his matches Saturday. He fell to Ayersville junior Abe DeLano via major decision, 10-1, in the championship quarterfinals, then lost to Martins Ferry senior Alexander Finsley, 7-3, in the second round of the consolation bracket.
Elliott finished one win short of earning a spot on the podium. He finished the season 14-5, having placed third at districts and second at sectionals.
Wrestling will resume at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Click here for information on how to attend.
