COLUMBUS — Luke Schlosser spoke for the entire north central Ohio state-qualifying wrestling contingent after an impressive opening day in Columbus.
“I expected to come down here and win,” Schlosser said after dispatching Beaver Local’s Justin Cox 7-2 in the opening round of the Division II state tournament. “That’s the mindset you’ve got to have.
“Otherwise you’re setting yourself up for failure.”
Clear Fork’s 165-pound senior was one of 10 area wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals with opening-round wins Friday inside Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center. Another seven wrestlers rebounded from first-round losses with wins in the consolation bracket.
Of the 23 area wrestlers to reach the state tournament, 17 are still alive. Remarkably, all 11 Division II qualifiers will wrestle Saturday.
Ontario’s five wrestlers were a combined 5-2 Friday. Aiden Ohl (106), brother Jacob (113) and Landon Campbell (190) all won their first matches, while Mason Turnbaugh (138) and Cole Dille (157) bounced back from first-round losses with wins in the consolation bracket.
“The first match is never that good. I just had to get it out of the way,” Aiden Ohl said after a 6-1 win over Beaver Local’s Justuce Fisher. “I’ve got to come back tomorrow and wrestle harder.”
It was a sentiment shared by Campbell after his first-period pin of West Holmes’ Grant Miller.
“Just stay in the moment,” Campbell said of his approach. “I try not to look forward because anything can happen out there.”
Galion was 3-0 on opening day with wins from Carter Trukovich (113), Gradey Harding (120) and Griffith (285). The affable Griffith, a four-time state qualifier, had some sound advice for Trukovich, a freshman and state tournament rookie.
“Just don’t look into the stands,” Griffith said after a 1-0 win over Canfield’s Vince Luce. “Normally I walk out of the tunnel and I look up into the stands and I feel all those eyes on me. I know they’re not all looking at me, but it feels that way.
“You’re walking on the mat with another guy. It’s just you and him and that’s all that matters.”
Trukovich is no stranger to wrestling’s biggest stages. He has wrestled a competitive summer schedule for years.
“All summer every year I’m going to big national tournaments,” Trukovich said after a 6-4 win over Louisville’s Kaiden Barker. “That’s really helped.”
Madison’s Mike Thomas (120) and Lexington’s Aedan Nicol (285) both won consolation matches after falling in the first round.
In Division III, Mapleton’s Brock Durbin (144) and Crestview’s Caleb Cunningham (285) won their opening round matches. Crestview’s Qwintin Howard and Plymouth’s Noah Robinson were 1-1, while Plymouth’s Cameron Wagers was 0-2.
In Division I, Ashland 106-pounder Mason Bauer scored a dramatic 3-1 sudden victory win over Massillon Perry’s Lincoln Rohr. Teammates Guardian Miller (126) and Cayden Spotts (215) were 0-2.
In the girls tournament, Crestview freshman Naomi Gearheart opened with a 3-0 win over Canal Winchester’s Razilee Wisseh. Madison’s Estella Koppert Smith (130) and Mapleton’s Taren Kramer (140) and Skylar Hopstetter (145) were 0-2.