The Tri-Valley wrestling team has been working very hard this season and just wrapped up an OHSAA Division II District meet this past weekend with the wrestlers hoping to make top four placement and earn a shot at the State Meet Friday March 13th.
Tri-Valley placed 9th out of 38 teams at the district meet, which saw several of the team members fall just one or two matches shy of a podium placement and ultimately a place at State level. However, three of the young men made the grade and placed top four to move on with one member stepping in as an alternate for the upcoming meet.
At the 126′ level Joseph Eckelberry had an outstanding meet breaking a school record for pins in a single season for the third year in a row at 34, a record he originally broke as a freshmen taking coach Austin’s place in that spotlight. Joseph took second place at the district meet to earn his place in the upcoming State challenge.
At 182′ Dylan Hines took fourth place at Districts battling his way through some very tough rounds to get there. Hines had losses early in the season that he had to overcome to get into the right mindspace to make it through but he pulled it together and is looking forward to the State meet on Friday.
At 220′ AJ Collins is the Senior captain of the team and was the highest placing team member at Sectionals with 2nd place. He was battling flu-like symptoms to the two days prior to the district meet and the loss of energy had taken a toll on him. Collins lost a match in the middle of the meet but fought back to take 4th place and entry into the upcoming state meet.
Following the boys to state will be Sophomore Isaiah Armstrong who took a 5th place spot at 138′ and is hoping to have to step in at state as an alternate and compete.
