Knox County and vicinity schools were well-represented in the 2023 OHSAA State Tournaments last weekend at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus. Seventeen high school wrestlers from eight schools made the cut to the state competition with one third-place finish on the boys' side, while five other boys and two girls also placed at the event.
Taylor earns bronze for Jackets in D-I
In Division I competition, Mount Vernon’s Alex Taylor won a third-place medal and the Yellow Jackets tied for 20th with 22.0 points, among 69 competing schools. St. Edward finished on top with 195.5 points. For the Jackets, at 215 lbs., Taylor (42-8) lost his opener then won five straight matches to finish in third place. Brock Blankenhorn (36-8) placed sixth at 106 lbs., winning his first match and then two consolation brackets; and Jake Taylor (34-13) lost his opener at 150.
Gilmour gains 8th spot for Scots in D-II
Highland’s Cael Gilmour (49-12) placed eighth at the D-II tourney, becoming the first freshman and fifth wrestler in school history to place at the OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. Highland finished tied for 52nd among 83 teams, scoring 7.0 points. Graham Local won with 157.0. Gilmour lost his first match at 138 lbs., and then won a pair of consolation matches. At 106 lbs., Konner Blaney (38-13) won his opener, and at 132 lbs., Caleb Wetzel (46-8) won his first match, before losing to overall champion Brogan Tucker of Graham Local.
Becker places 6th for Knights in D-III
Among 91 competing schools in D-III competition, Northmor tied for 44th with 12.0 points, Utica tied for 56th with 7.0, Centerburg scored 3.0 to tie for 66th and East Knox scored 2.0 points to tie for 79th.
Northmor’s Cowin Becker (45-7) won three matches and placed sixth at 120 lbs. Utica’s Clayton Smith (47-5) lost his opening match, then won a pair of consolation matches and earned a seventh-place finish at 144 lbs. Centerburg’s Caylan LeMaster (48-11) won his initial match, before losing to overall champion Tristin Greene (47-2) of Keystone, then won a consolation match to grab an eighth-place finish at 157 lbs. Carson Campbell of Northmor won his first match at 138 lbs. Blake Elliott (13-3) of East Knox won his opening match at 190 lbs. Christopher Marshall of East Knox lost his opener at 126 and Northmor’s Brady Carr lost his opener at 106.
Rinehart finishes 7th for Lady Jackets
On the women’s side of the mats, 111 schools were represented and Mount Vernon finished tied for 59th with 11.0 points, Cardington-Lincoln tied for 81st with 5.0, Highland scored 4.0 and tied for 83rd; and Harrison won with 97.0.
Emma Rinehart (34-10) of Mount Vernon was the top local finisher, earning seventh place at 115 lbs. Rinehart won her first match, fell to overall silver medalist Molly Wells of Delaware Hayes, then won a consolation match. Cameron Sherman (11-9) of Cardington-Lincoln earned an eighth-place finish at 170 lbs., losing her opener, then winning a pair of consolation matches. Emma Bolton of Highland won her first match at 190 lbs. Highland’s Madalynn Morrison lost her opener at 235.
