COLUMBUS (Marion County Now) — Gradey Harding returned for an encore performance this past weekend at the OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at The Schottenstein Center.

Unfortunately, the Galion junior finished second again in Division II, after a tough 4-1 sudden victory loss against Kettering Alter’s Bronson Begley, at 126 pounds.

“Gradey took a tough OT loss in the finals on a controversial takedown on the edge. We are very proud of all of his accomplishments so far,” head coach Brent Tyrrell said.

Harding ends the season at 40-5.

“Gradey will be back and highly motivated for his senior year.”

A runner-up in Division II a year ago, Harding knew he had a target on his back competing at 126 pounds.

“Everyone wants that title, right? It’s my job to keep working hard and go get it.”

In his semifinal bout on Saturday night, Harding decisioned Sawyer Smith of Perkins, 10-3, to earn his second straight state title berth.

Galion’s 126-pounder was pleased with his first-round victory Friday over Brady Baran of Kenston, getting a 10-1 major decision.

“It was solid. I would have liked to score more points, but there’s no point in wasting all that energy to let him back up.”

Tigers success

Two of his teammates lost close opening matches but rebounded to win in the consolation round.

Carter Trukovich (132) dropped a 4-2 decision, while Ryder Alberty (138) lost 6-2.

“They’re tough mentally and physically, and they’ll bounce back,” he said Friday afternoon.

They did just that as Trukovich got a forfeit win and Alberty secured a 2-1 decision.

For Harding, he has plenty of motivation returning to The Schott after a second-place finish last season. He finished 40-8 as a sophomore.

“That loss in the finals was kind of like, all right, it’s time for you to lock in and get going and do the best you can. I’ve worked hard every single day.”

Alberty wrestled his way back and took 7th place after a 4-2 decision over Gavin Miller of Ontario.

Tyrrell was pleased with his trio of state qualifiers.

“All three guys are tough dudes and resilient. We’re excited to be out here. Every match is tough down here,” he said.

“Even Gradey, winning 10-1, it was a tough-fought match. He had to work hard. He’s focused and he has one goal and that’s to be the champion.”

The Tigers program remains strong.

“We got a good thing going with a great staff. I’ve got seven coaches and five of them are past head coaches. I’m very fortunate to have guys like that.

“It keeps us motivating and we’re able to do a lot more individualized stuff with that many coaches in the room.”

Young wrestlers in the program receive a lot of attention as a result, Tyrrell said.

“We’re tough on them, but we love them up. And they keep coming back. It’s been a fun ride for about seven years, and it gets better and better.

“The guys work real hard in the off season and do a lot of things that not many people are willing to do and that’s a testament to our kids and the coaching staff.”

Patrizi 3rd, Bish 7th for Mohawk

Warriors head coach Brad Rice also has a strong program, and similarly, brought three qualifiers from a tough district tourney.

Mohawk’s Owen Patrizi (37-9) started things off with a 19-3 technical fall win over Wyatt Smith of Triad.

Teammate Brant Kirian (138) dropped a 14-5 major decision to Colt Carpenter of Barnesville in the first round. He then lost 6-2 in the first consolation round.

Patrizi lost to Nathan Attisano (Legacy Christian) in the semifinals, 10-3. Patrizi placed third after a 13-2 major decision over Richard Flores of Delta.

“We’ve got all underclassmen here, so they’ll get experience and hopefully get another shot next year,” Rice said.

“Owen and Brant just being juniors and Kaden a sophomore, just the experience you’re going to get coming in here, weighing in, walking through the bullpen, the lights, getting that first match in.”

“Owen wrestled his match, was aggressive and had heavy hands. Don’t worry about the other guy, just get to your stuff first.”

Patrizi captured the district championship, which may have been a surprise to some observers, as he took an 8-0 major decision.

“He came on strong last week. A lot of people didn’t see that coming. Their mindset, physical and mental health, all started coming together last week,” Rice said.

“I think they surprised a lot of people, but as coaches you know the kids and what they’re capable of. Brant lost by one move at the end, with some back points. That happens a lot and you just hope it’s not you in the defensive position.”

At 175, Kaden Bish (Mohawk) topped Issac Ray of Canton Central Catholic, 26-14, in a back-and-forth battle. He has a 33-6 record and a 7th-place finish.

“Kaden honestly might have had some nerves. We were up quite a bit, and we were feeling the groove. He got put in a position he must not have been comfortable in and got put on his back,” Rice said.

“You go from dominating a match to, ‘Oh, crap.’ But he turned it around. Third period he started to get a little gassed and that’s probably the nerves running through you.”

Bish fell to Aiden Helmke (Tinora) by technical fall 15-0 in the third consolation bracket.

“My advice is to have fun and enjoy the experience. Some people only get one experience. Others might get two to four,” he said.

“It’s always special. Breathe it in and be grateful to the ones who have supported you along the way,” said Rice, in his 12th season.

The Warriors mat program’s stability is a testament to those involved.

“We’ve been very blessed with good coaches. I have an amazing assistant coaching staff. They come in weekends and mornings. They’re here for the kids,” he added.

“We monitor their goals. And our guys like to get out there and grind and be physical.”

Other area competitors

  • Seneca East’s Alex Young (215) was knocked out of the tourney following a pin in the first round and a 2-0 setback in the consolations. He ended the season at 41-12.
  • Carson Campbell (45-6) of Northmor won his 157-pound opening match 10-3, over Rafael Gross (St. Paul). Campbell lost to Elgin’s Quinten Harrison by a 3-2 decision. Campbell finished at 45-8.
  • Harrison lost in the finals to top-ranked Brogan Tucker of St. Paris Graham. Tucker got the pin in 1:34 and is 49-1 and a four-time state champion.
  • Elgin’s Cooper Schlaegel lost his 126-pound state semifinal match, 15-8.
  • Karson Jenkins of River Valley (113) advanced from the first round but finished 8th.
  • Upper Sandusky’s Ethan Lewis (157) was eliminated. He lost his first match by technical fall 17-2, and his next one by an 8-6 decision to end at 35-8.
  • Girls division: Kiera Depinet (135) of Seneca East won via pin in 54 seconds in her first match. She lost in the quarterfinals, 10-2 and finished at 36-7.

Full results online at https://www.baumspage.com/wr/index.php