Rockets win district - send 7 to state

By Lenny Appelhans

Sports Writer

The Oak Harbor Rocket wrestling took home the gold winning the Division II district wrestling tournament February 26 & 27 at Marion Harding High School.

The Rockets outdistanced a field of 40 teams by putting 177.5 points on the board while Lexington finished second with 149.0.

Drew Stone started the champions run for the Rockets at 125lbs, winning all 4 of his matches, with one pin. Drew will head to state with a 36 win 3 loss record.

Next champion for OH was Ian Miller in the 145lb weight class. Ian wrestled his way decisively in all 4 matches with two pins during the tourney. Ian will take his nearly unblemished 37-1 record to Columbus.

In the very next weight class another Rocket stood tall on the championship podium, Konner Witt at 152lbs. Konner almost pinned his way through the tournament, pinning 3 of his 4 opponents. Konner will take his 45 win 3 loss record to Columbus.

Tyler Hackworth at 119 lbs would be the first Rocket to grab a second place finish, losing his finals match to Jason Gambucci of Lexington. Tyler's record stands at 31-7.

Mike Mallernee would take second place in the 171lbs weight class winning his first three matches before falling to Nick McCall of Wauseon in the finals. Mike Mallernee sports a 36-9 record.

Zach Sandwisch would drop his championship match at 285lbs to Vincenzo Cardone of Central Catholic, 6-2, to be a second place finisher for the Rockets. Zach also has 30 wins in 40 matches for the season.

The other Rocket state qualifier was Jake Cramer at 140lbs. Jake would win his first two matches, before getting pinned, then fighting his back in the consolation rounds for a third place finish. Jake has 40 wins on the season against 7 losses.

Alex Bergman, 130lbs, and Zach Bergman, 135lbs, also qualified as alternates for the state tournament. They may end up in action if something happens to the one of the wrestlers ahead of them in their respective weight classes.

Alec Bowlick, only a freshman, would gain valuable experience wrestling in the district tournament despite dropping both of his matches.

The Rockets contingent will start wrestling on Thursday March 4th in Columbus.

Individual accomplishments will lend a hand in the total outcome for the team results. Unfortunately, the Rockets are in Division II with nationally known wrestling power St. Paris Graham.

St. Paris Graham outdistanced their second place opponent at the Goshen district, racking up 314 points to second place Greenville's 85.

St. Paris Graham will be sending 11 of their 14 wrestlers to the state tournament with 9 districts champions in that mix.

Good luck to the Rockets wrestlers in Columbus at the state tournament!