COLUMBUS — Josh Zimmer was the lone Teays Valley wrestler to survive the first day of the Division I championships at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.
Aiden Kennedy and Peter Graham each had their seasons finish up Friday.
Zimmer (33-3) matched up with Wadsworth junior Blake Frantz in the 120-pound opening round, advancing with a 5-4 decision.
Memories of an overtime loss in the first consolation round last year pushed Zimmer Friday afternoon.
“I just remembered last year an overtime loss in the second round of consolations and there was some fire in me there,” he said. “It’s awesome to move on to Day 2 for the first time and just getting ready to go after it tomorrow.”
“Josh wrestled really well this round. He was in control the whole match, took four or five shots and we were just ready for that one he could finish,” TV coach Todd Nace said. “I think he was more determined than that young kid and that made a big difference for him.”
Trailing in the third, Zimmer got a takedown in the final minute to grab the lead.
“Holding him down for the last 35 seconds made a big difference,” Nace said. “I’m real proud of him and we’re going to see what he can do tomorrow.”
Kennedy, a senior, was pinned in the third round of his opener against Colin Woodridge (36-6) of LaSalle and lost a 13-0 major decision to Chase McKenna (32-10) of Walsh Jesuit in the consolation round.
Graham, a sophomore, lost a tech fall (16-1) in his opener to senior Jarrel Miller (21-3) from St. Edward. A second-period pin at the hands of Harrison’s Grant Dallio (36-14) ended his season.
“You can’t fault our effort, our kids did a nice job,” Nace said. “Peter Graham, being a sophomore, coming out we looked at the other kid and said that’s what he needs to look like in two years.
“Aiden’s coming in as a senior and we didn’t even know how many matches he’d get and he becomes a state qualifier his senior year.
“I thought we were in control here at 175 for a period and a half, then we gave up a takedown and things kind of spiraled out of control.”
Graham completes his year with a 32-15 record.
Kennedy’s season finished with a 27-10 mark.
The Division I championship quarterfinals are anticipated to start a little after noon Saturday.
Click here for complete Division I results.
