Six Cuyahoga Falls Wrestlers Advance To District Meet

Colin Taylor just missed winning a Sectional title, but is among six wrestlers from headed to the District Tournament next weekend at Lorain High School.

Taylor qualified by placing second at 135 pounds. He lost a tough 5-4 decision to Mike Griffith of host Medina.

The Black Tigers had an excellent tournament, placing third with 161 points behind defending state champion Wadsworth (281) and traditional power Brecksville-Broadview Heights (222). Medina was fourth with 154.5 points, followed by Copley (150.5) in the 12-team field.

"We think we’ve got some good wrestlers," coach Craig Wilson said.

Taylor proved his point by advancing past tough competition. He flattened Jacob Jazwa of Berea in 2:34. Ranked sixth in the state, Taylor then defeated No. 8 Dylan Good of Brecksville by a 13-5 major decision in the semifinals.

"That was a tough match, but Colin did what he had to do to avoid getting upset," Wilson said. "He got the lead and kept it."

In the title match, both wrestlers displayed a lot of quickness and determination, battling on even terms throughout three rounds. With the home crowd cheering Griffith and the excitable Wilson calling out instructions over the din, it was among the most exciting matches of the tourney.

Griffith earned a point in the final 30 seconds to win, 5-4, though it appeared Taylor was about to gain a reversal as the referee blew the final whistle an instant before the junior could complete his move. The loss dropped his overall record to 33-6 for the season.

The Black Tigers picked up key team points by going 4-1 in third-place contests. Heavyweight Derek Rhodes beat Tim Reagan of Brunswick, 7-3; Roy Ware pinned Kyle Jenkin of Cloverleaf in 1:11; Kyle Meade earned an exciting 4-3 overtime decision against Dom Owens of Wadsworth; and Tyler Eastman pinned Strongsville's Jacob Slimak in 1:39.

Austyn Wilson finished fourth at 145 pounds, losing to George Saridakis of Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 8-1.

"We've got some guys moving on and that's always good," Wilson said. "I'm proud of the entire team. We almost had five others advance."

Tyler Kennedy just missed with a fifth-place finish, earned on a 6-0 win over Brett Sandford of Copley. Jacob King (112), Zach Charbat (125), Joe Repasky (152), Bucky Hendershot (160) all finished sixth in their weight classes.

Hendershot, a freshman, entered the tournament with a 3-9 record and immediately lost to one of the best wrestlers in the state, Kyle Roddy of Brecksville-Broadview Heights. Hendershot then came back in the consolation bracket to win three times.