Hawken has record three state qualifiers

The Hawken contingent had good reason to be elated March 2 after the Division III Garfield Heights District.

Three Hawks are on their way to Columbus in junior 120-pounder Jackson Reineke, his brother Patrick at 106 and Will Lindsey at heavyweight.

“We’re breaking records and making history,” Jackson Reineke said.

“We finished in the top five as a team and ended Hawken’s 20-year drought without a district champion.”

In 1999, Hawken senior Jeff Walton won a district crown at Elyria Catholic at 171 pounds. He went on to win three consecutive state bouts and finish his career as a state runner-up, an overtime takedown away from a state title.

“And we had two,” Lindsey said with a big smile.

Jackson Reineke battled two-time state qualifier Jake Edelman of Pymatuning Valley in the championship bout. Edelman had no answer for the Hawken junior’s barrel roll as Reineke (41-4) earned a dominant 10-1 victory and the district crown.

“This is the first time Hawken has ever had two district champions in the same year, the first time we’ve had three state qualifiers in the same year, the first time two brothers have qualified in the same year,” Jackson Reineke said.

The final match of the weekend featured Lindsey against All-Ohioan Joe Warren of Smithville. Warren placed eighth at state last year and secured his third consecutive trip to Columbus. The powerhouses battled hard for the duration of the match, with Lindsey having the upper hand. But when the wrestlers got into a scramble that sent them down to the mat, Warren showed signs of an injury to his knee. He was unable to continue.

The medical default crowned Lindsey the district champion. At 44-1, Lindsey has not lost to a wrestler from Ohio this year and has not given up a takedown all year.

Freshman Patrick Reineke (41-7) used his quick slide-by to score four takedowns en route to an 8-6 victory over Norwayne sophomore Jarrison Moore, securing a third-place finish. In his prior match, Reineke edged Berkshire junior James Klingman, 3-2, a head-to-head encounter that had resulted in close decisions multiple times this season.

Klingman (38-13) decisioned Massillon Tuslaw’s Zach Lyons, 4-0, in his fifth-place match. He was joined for the Badgers in taking fifth by freshman 170-pounder Lucas Stoddard (41-12), who capped a four-win weekend with a 52-second pancake pin. Both are state alternates for next weekend, in the event any wrestler in their weight class is unable to compete.

Wickliffe senior Doug Byrne (18-5) continued his outstanding performance this season, earning state qualification and a spot in the finals at 182 with a 7-0 semifinal shutout. In the title bout, the wiry Blue Devil gave Rootstown’s two-time All-Ohioan Chris Langguth his toughest match of the year as they battled to a 7-5 decision won by Langguth. It was non-stop action for all six minutes.

“I’m blessed to have such great coaches and drill partners,” Byrne said. “They’re why I’m here. They made me the wrestler I am today.”

Newbury had two outstanding performers at the upperweights who both qualified for state. Senior Alex Piczer (30-13) and junior Mitch Sanders (35-7) placed third and fourth, respectively.

Both Black Knights secured pins moments after each other. Sanders earned a 22-second pin to qualify at 195 and was in the midst of celebrating as he saw Piczer, coming from behind, get out of a dangerous position by trapping his opponent’s arms in front of him and rolling him straight on his back.

The 220-pounder held him there until the referee slapped the mat, calling the fall, and sending Piczer to Columbus. He also earned a fall in the third-place bout, pinning Wellington’s Mike Casella in the second period. Sanders battled returning All-Ohioan Jake Loar, part of a threeheaded monster at the Garfield Heights District that is projected be the top three at state.

Kirtland senior Konnor Duncan (30-12) earned his second consecutive berth at 126. After losing a razorthin decision in the semifinals, in which a near-takedown call was the difference, he scored a 6-5 victory over Rootstown’s Mason Kline.

TIM PHILLIS — FOR THE NEWS-HERALD Hawken’s Jackson Reineke celebrates after winning the district championship in his weight class March 2. He defeated Jake Edelman of Pymatuning Valley.