Allen East’s Kade Wireman (top) gets the advantage against Parkway’s Logan Green during Saturday’s Division III sectional at Lima Central Catholic.
Jackelyn Johnson | The Lima News
LIMA – After winning its first ever Northwest Conference title in wrestling this season, Columbus Grove was poised to take it to the next level.
At Saturday’s Division III sectional tournament at Lima Central Catholic, Columbus Grove made history once more, as it won its first ever sectional crown.
Columbus Grove ended the day with 200 points. Coldwater finished second with 183 points. Allen East (159), Spencerville (123) and Wayne Trace (98) rounded out the top five squads in the 13-team field.
The top four placers in each weight class advance to next weekend’s district tournament at Troy’s Hobart Arena. Then, the top four placers in each weight class at districts will advance to the state tournament at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center, March 10-12.
Longtime Columbus Grove head coach Ernie Siefker said it has been a long time coming for the wrestling program.
“We were close (to winning sectionals) when I was a sophomore (1994),” Siefker said. “(The) conference (NWC tournament) helped us out. We brought a lot of energy from that. I told them to ride it, and they would just keep on going.”
Columbus Grove had two champions on Saturday. Kyle Lathrop (175-pound weight class) and AJ Schafer (215) won titles in their respective weight classes for the Bulldogs.
“We had 10 district qualifiers, and all 13 of my kids placed (in the top six for their weight classes) today,” Siefker said, in reference to Saturday’s performance. “And we only have two seniors – Landen Schroeder (third at 165 pounds) and AJ Schafer. This is the most we’ve ever had. I think we had eight (district qualifiers), a couple years ago.”
Schafer, who has signed to play college football at Indiana Wesleyan University, pinned Coldwater’s Will Fox in Saturday’s championship match in the 215-pound weight class. Last season, Fox wrestled as a heavyweight.
Schafer, who had to cut weight after football season, said he is used to competing with larger athletes.
“I practice with Jeff Meyer, a previous (Columbus Grove, Division III) state champ at heavyweight (in 2021). So, I’m kind of used to wrestling bigger guys. And getting thrown around by him a lot during practice, definitely helps. We have some great coaches.”
Last season, Schafer won a sectional title, and then finished second at districts to become a state-qualifier at 215. This season, Schafer wants to take it a step further.
“Last year, I came into districts as a No. 1 seed,” Schafer said. “I wasn’t expecting to make it down to state, to be honest. I think I got the lucky draw and made my way there. But this year, I want to prove that it was not a fluke. I have to come back and prove myself. I want to get on the podium.”
Schafer is 25-2 on the season.
Siefker wants to build off his team’s recent successes.
“We want to make sure that we keep adding on to the next week, and the next week – just trying to get more guys to state,” Siefker said. “We can’t just be happy with this. … We have to keep going.”
Kessen from Delphos St. John’s is making a statement
Delphos St. John’s freshman Edward Kessen knows just one speed.
And that is full throttle.
At Saturday’s finals in the 132-pound weight class, Kessen battled back from an early deficit to defeat Spencerville senior Carder Miller 8-7 in an overtime thriller.
Kessen (33-7) said he knows only one way to wrestle.
“Push the pace. You can’t stop wrestling. There’s no stopping,” Kessen said. “If you’re down by four, that doesn’t matter. There is still a period left for this guy to crumble.
“If I’m behind against a good guy like Carder (Miller, 40-3), I’m trying to push the pace. I’m just trying to move as much as I can.”
Despite being a freshman, Kessen has set some very high goals.
“My overall goal is to be a state qualifier as a freshman,” Kessen said. “Seeding does not matter. I just have to wrestle one match at a time.
“I might wrestle a guy that is predicted to win state, and it will not matter. I will still wrestle as hard as I can. As long as I put forth the effort, I think it is a win for me. Come this week at practice, I will be pushing the pace to be the best that I can at districts.”
Allen East’s Kade Wireman notches fourth sectional title
Allen East senior Kade Wireman has his eye on making a run for a state title in March. Last season, Wireman placed third at the Division III state tournament in the 150-pound weight class.
On Saturday, Wireman (42-3) won his fourth sectional crown as he competed in the 157-pound weight class.
At next weekend’s district tournament, Wireman is hoping to win a district title as well.
“I will have a couple tough matches,” Wireman said. “But from wrestling them earlier, I’m prepared now.”
Other sectional champions at LCC
Ada’s Clayton McClain (144), Allen East’s Aizik Myers (106), Trenton Gatchell (165) and Eli Criblez (285), Coldwater’s Brady Hamilton (126) and Sam Obringer (150), Riley Mueller from Delphos St. John’s (138), Spencerville’s Nyah Hodge-Miller (113) and Maddox Jurek (190), Wayne Trace’s Corbin Kimmel (120).
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Mark Altstaetter wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
