6 locals vying for top finishes in D-III

Two area state placers and another state qualifier from last year join three newcomers to this year's Division III boys wrestling tournament. But no matter their experience on the state's biggest stage, they all share one thing."When you get down there, every kid's down there for the same reason. It's because they put in the work," Mohawk coach Brad Rice said. "So no matter whether the kid's seeded or not seeded, a returning placer or a first-time qualifier, they're down there for a reason and that's because they set that as their goal and put the work in to accomplish that. Every match is as hard as it's going to be."His pair of Warriors probably know that best.Senior Owen Patrizi claimed third last year at 132 pounds and junior Kaden Bish took seventh at 175 pounds.Both captured district titles last week, with Patrizi advancing to state this year at 144 pounds — two weight classes above last season — while Bish returns at 175.They're joined by four other area grapplers.Seneca East senior Alex Young returns to state at 215 pounds, while junior 190-pound teammate Jackson Gayheart makes his first trip after earning a district title last week.Carey sends along first-time state qualifiers in 157-pound junior Jordan Hertel and 120-pound freshman Fisher Montgomery.Competition in Division III starts Friday at 1 p.m. at the Ohio State University Schottenstein Center and concludes Sunday.Rice anticipated his pair of Warriors returning to state, but he said last year's finish alone didn't guarantee an easy journey through the meat grinder of the district tournament."It's not an easy path and you have to be on point at every moment, because you never know what's going to happen. You never know who's going to get upsetted, who's not going to make it out," he said. "Unfortunately, that's the story every year," Rice said. "There's plenty of kids who are very highly qualified to make it down to state and represent our district and area with respect and unfortunately they don't get through."But his pair did make it through. And while entering as district champions means they'll open against foes who ended fourth at last week's district tournaments, that doesn't mean they'll can relax.Patrizi (42-6) takes on Waynedale junior Riley Greathouse (47-5) while Bish (45-4) faces Parkway senior Jaden Green (43-3). Their opponents have a combined eight losses, but each suffered two of them last week.In short, Patrizi and Bish face quality foes right away, but Rice thinks last year's state experience and their focus will serve his grapplers well."We work really hard throughout the season on all of our wrestlers, (to) make sure mentally they're prepared for every tournament, for every match, going in focused and with a clear mind," Rice said."I think it's one of those mindsets where once you make it the first time and get through the process, it's a little bit easier of a pill to swallow the next time you make it," he said. "But overall, you're down there for one reason, and that's to get to the top of the podium. You've just got to be focused and ready for one match at a time."Young (41-4) faces Rootstown junior Kiel Reuting (32-13), who took runner-up honors at his district to earn his first trip to state.While Reuting has a slightly higher seed as a district runner-up, Seneca East coach Tom Gayheart thinks Young's experience last year as a state qualifier will serve him well."I think it's a big advantage, getting down there in front of all those people and competing and just embracing where you're at," coach Gayheart said. "He enjoyed his time down there (last year) and it was something he wanted to get back to."His focus is in the right place and he was just determined to get back down there this year, so I think that loss in the district (semifinal) had refocused him to meet his goals and go do his best," he said.Jackson Gayheart (46-3), son of the coach, had his refocusing moment last a bit longer; he went 1-2 at last year's district before rebounding with this year's district title."We know he had the potential. He's just been working extra hard this year. He missed it last year and it set a fire under him and he was determined to get down there this year," Gayheart the father and coach said. "He's been doing extra practices, just embracing the grind and putting his nose down."Gayheart the wrestler opens against Garaway senior Dillon King (33-7)."That first draw is pretty important. He'll have a fourth-place finisher at another district, so that's important to get that first match out of the way," coach Gayheart said. "I think he's got a good shot and we're looking forward to wrestle that one. We're looking forward to wrestle all of them, but that first one's important."The Carey duo reached state after each bumped up one weight class for the postseason."Fisher jumped to 120 and Jordan went to 157 because we thought maybe they'd have a little, I don't want to say an easier road, but I guess a better chance to make it," Carey coach Ryan Pratt said. "It worked out, it paid off to make those jumps. They were able to punch their ticket down to the Schott."Fisher (46-5) takes on fellow freshman Langston McClain (32-9) of Allen East in his opening match, while Hertel (48-6) faces a district champion in Beachwood senior Caleb Greenwood (46-3).Pratt said he expects a bit of jitters for his first-time state grapplers, he added he thinks they'll do well."It's going to be a lot of nerves, I'm sure. Especially when they step out of that tunnel and see all those fans watching," he said. "It's going to be epic, I'd say. That's going to be the word that I'm going to choose. I think they'll be able to handle it."They're seasoned wrestlers, they've been wrestling for a long time. Hopefully they can just go out there and take care of business," Pratt said. "Same size circle, let's get her done."