Perkins wrestling headed to state duals

PERKINS TWP. — The Perkins wrestling team is off to the state dual championships after a 2-0 day Saturday that saw multiple wrestlers win both of their respective bouts. The Pirates – the No. 2 seed in the OHSWCA Division II Norwalk Regional – defeated No. 7 Wapakoneta 50-27 and No. 3 Columbus DeSales 54-24. In the semifinal bout, the Pirates won all seven of their contested matches by pin. In the victory, the wrestlers from Perkins were led by No. 4-ranked senior Sawyer Smith, who pinned sophomore Carter Counotte in 38 seconds. "We told our guys that we were going to be battled-tested, and they had to respond," Perkins coach Travis Crabtree said. "Wapakoneta is in our district so that was a very good match to start the day off with. The guys knew they had to get bonus points in certain weight classes and those kids stepped up." In that semifinal match, Perkins also got a quick pin from junior Eli Sanchez in 27 seconds. In the victory, freshman Rajon Randleman (113), sophomore Jayicon Everett (138), junior Braxden Martin (144), freshman Law Davlin (150), and freshman Cooper Cisco (165) all recorded victories in their contested bouts. "Going into today, the goal was to make the state dual finals, and build momentum for SBCs and the postseason," Crabtree said. "Columbus DeSales and Wapakoneta are two very disciplined and well-coached teams with some very good wrestlers." After the very closely contested semifinal, the Pirates turned their focus to a very good DeSales program. DeSales won their semifinal over Clyde 43-34. In the championship match, the Pirates jumped ahead decisively. Senior Marco Muratori won his bout 8-0 over freshman Landon Sturgell to give Perkins a 4-0 lead in the team scoring. Perkins won eight of the first nine bouts to take full control of the dual with a score of 42-6. DeSales chipped away at that lead, with three consecutive wins – two coming via pin. Perkins locked down the match after both senior Haiden Bollini and Sanchez won by forfeit. "These guys have given everything this season to be in this position," Sanchez said. "One of the major goals of the season was to make it to the state dual finals, as well as make a run to Columbus as an individual." On the day, the Pirates got 2-0 days from Randleman, Smith, Evertt, Davlin, Bollini and Sanchez. Perkins now turns their focus to the state dual championships hosted by Columbus Bishop Watterson next Saturday. "In the past, we have always been one match way from getting to the finals," Crabtree said. "The goal now is to get guys healthy and figure out the matchups for when we get down there." On the upper side of the Norwalk regional, top-ranked Wauseon defeated Bellevue 39-29 to advance to the state dual final site. The Pirates figure out their quarterfinal opponent Tuesday The state duals start at 11 a.m. with the four quarterfinal matches. The championship and consolation semifinals follow at 12:30 p.m. with the state championship match and further consolation matches at 2 p.m. All teams at the final site will wrestle three matches. Perkins 50, Wapakoneta 27106: Zane Russell (W) dec. Marco Muratori (P) tf 18-3; 113: Rajon Randleman (P) pin Hans Sammetinger (W) 1:41; 120: Caden Mellott (W) dec. Ronnie Kromer (P) tf 17-2; 126: Swayer Smith (P) pin Carter Counotte (W) 0:38; 132: Gavin Ridenour (W) dec. Landon Flores (P) tf 22-5; 138: Jaycion Everett (P) pin Lane Fisher (W) 4:44; 144: Braxden Martin (P) pin Gauge Vaughn (W) 1:30; 150: Law Davlin (P) pin Bentley Ruck 1:09; 157: Keyno Mendez (W) forfeit Sam Oprzadek (P); 165: Cooper Cisco dec. Dawson Ware (W) Dec 20-15; 175 Wyatt Buell (W) pin Levi Carpenter 0:26; 190: Wyatt Wolery (P) forfeit (W); 215: Haiden Bollini (P) forfeit (W); 285: Eli Sanchez (P) pin Johnny Carnes (W) 0:27 Perkins 54, Col. DeSales 24106: Marco Muratori (P) dec. Landon Sturgell (D) md 8-0; 113: Rajon Randleman (P) pin Gus Wilcox (D) 1:08; 120: Josh Sheets (D) pin Ronnie Kromer (P) 4:15; 126: Swayer Smith (P) dec. Eddie Vitu (D) tf 19-2; 132: Landon Flores (P) pin Jackson Disabato (D) 1:11; 138: Jaycion Everett (P) dec. Blake Eckelbarger md 18-10; 144: Braxden Martin (P) dec. Reed Bodie (D) tf 19-2; 150: Law Davlin (P) pin Mack Allen (D) 4:10; 157: Sam Oprzadek (P) pin Thomas Sorgini(D) 0:40; 165: Joel Welch (D) pin Cooper Cisco (P) 0:14; 175: Andrew Barford (D) forfeit Levi Carpenter (P); 190: Lincoln Shulaw (D) pin Wyatt Wolery (P) 0:52; 215: Haiden Bollini (P) forfeit Austin Usher (D); 285: Eli Sanchez (P) forfeit Roshan Daou (D)