Division I
With 13 qualifiers — one in every weight class except heavyweight, and 10 finalists in the rugged Mentor district — Lakewood St. Edward is regarded a slight favorite to take home its 31st state title in 39 years. But many observers believe that Olentangy Liberty, which took a program-best third place in 2016, has a legitimate chance to unseat the Eagles and claim the Central District’s first title. The Patriots, who had three district champions and three runners-up among its 10 qualifiers, have the firepower to score big points in large-tournament settings. Led by defending champion Kyle Lawson (160 pounds), the Patriots return five wrestlers who placed fourth or better in 2016. “The main objective is to put ourselves in a position to compete for as many individual titles as we can,” Liberty coach Mark Marinelli said, “but at the same time, we want to push hard for a trophy. It would be special and historic for the Central District. This is the best team I’ve ever coached by far. I really think we’ve got a chance.” Lawson will try to join elite company in as a four-time state champion. An Oklahoma signee, Lawson has a career record of 173-14. His first two titles came at Division II St. Paris Graham. Hilliard Darby (six qualifiers), Dublin Coffman (five) and Marysville (five) also hope to crack the top 10 in the team standings. Unbeaten at 29-0 and ranked in the top 10 nationally, junior Jaden Mattox (152 pounds) of Central Crossing hopes to repeat as champion. He won at 132 pounds after taking runner-up at 113 as a freshman. Ohio State-bound
10 a.m., consolations, seventh-, fifth- and third-place matches. p.m., championship matches. 5:30
senior Dom Demas (47-3) of Dublin Coffman figures to be in the hunt at 145. He was runner-up last year after winning the 138-pound title in 2015. After two high-profile heavyweight championship bouts against Central Crossing’s Kameron Teacher, Elyria senior Kevin Vough is trying to become the first bigschool heavyweight to place in the top three for four straight years. He was knocked off by Teacher last year in the marquee match of the tournament. This year, Vough may have to go through 45-0 Ben Frye of Dublin Coffman, a Duke football signee. Other area wrestlers projected to fare well are district champions Gio DiSabato of Hilliard Davidson at 120 (fourth, 106 last year), Trevor Lawson of Olentangy Liberty at 170 (second last year), Jared Ball of Hilliard Darby at 182 (third at 160 last year) and Max Wright of Delaware (195). champions. The division features only four returning individual champions. Central Ohio’s best hopes ride with Licking Valley senior Jake Martinez at 138 pounds, Circleville junior Nate Keaton at 113 and Highland sophomore Zach Baker at 220. All three won district titles. Martinez ( 40- 3) was runner-up a year ago and is ranked No. 1. Keaton (50-4) took fourth at 106 in 2015 and fifth at 113 last year. He is one of several contenders in a stacked weight class. Baker is 50- 4.