Logan Elm has a very young team with 17 grapplers in its high school program, which includes just two seniors and one junior.
Despite the youthful roster, coach Jake Daniels is not changing expectations.
“This year is like any year,” he said. “We want to finish tournaments on the top end and get as many wrestlers to district and state as we can.
“We want to establish the expectations that it’s the state podium or bust.”
The Braves top returnees include a quartet of sophomores in Dawsen Hudson (106 pounds), Blaine Holzschuh (113-120), Gavin Hoover (126-132) and Hunter Schoenborn (144-150).
Holzschuh, Hoover and Schoenborn qualified for the district tournament as freshmen.
Amanda-Clearcreek is led by the return of state alternate Landon L’Huillier , who projects to wrestle at 132 or 138 pounds this season. Junior Jacob Durr is also a returning district qualifier who will wrestle at 126. Sophomore Reese Marshall qualified for districts in his first varsity season and will wrestle at 106.
Sophomore Peyton Beavers is slated to compete at 150. Junior Jaycie Spires will wrestle at 126 and is a former girls state placer.
Top freshmen newcomers for the Aces include Bodie Martin, who will compete at either 138 or 144 after placing fifth last season in the junior high state meet, Jed Sahr (113), Koltan Conrad (120), Ben Meade and Chase Hanna (215).
“Our returning varsity experience that qualified for districts need to be leaders and help bring our freshmen along that we are adding to the lineup,” A-C coach Curtis Martin said. “We only have one senior, and the bulk of our team are freshmen and sophomores, so we have a lot to build upon.”
The Ohio High School Athletic Association is sponsoring its first girls state wrestling tournament, which will be contested alongside the boys on March 10-12 at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center.
