Saturday, March 3rd, 2007

Cisco wrestling for All-Ohio honors

By Gary R. Rasberry
Photo by Gary R. Rasberry/The Daily Standard

St. Marys' Josh Cisco, right, tries to get a lock on Jefferson Area's Kyle Gilchrist during their 112-pound bout at the 70th State Wrestling Tournament on Friday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus on the campus of the Ohio State University.

COLUMBUS - In the updated brackets for Division II at the 70th State Wrestling Tournament, it was noted that six wrestlers entered Friday still undefeated on the season.
St. Marys senior Josh Cisco was right at the top with a healthy 33-0 mark, but it didn't take long for the first blemish to show.
But just as fast, Cisco bounced his way back and earned his way to the podium.
By the end of the night, Cisco placed himself in today's Division II 112-pound seventh-place match starting around 11 a.m. at the Schottenstein Center on the campus of The Ohio State University.
In the championship quarterfinal, Cisco faced off with the favorite to be on top of the podium at 112 pounds in Jefferson Area's Kyle Gilchrist.
Cisco could not get his attack going from the start, as Gilchrist posted a 10-1 major decision on the St. Marys grappler to move into Friday night's championship semifinal and ensure an All-Ohio spot going to the top eight.
"It was a rough match," said Cisco. "I knew I had to come back and start from the bottom.
"I didn't move like I should have and made some mistakes."
The loss sent Cisco into the second round of consolations about 90 minutes after his first bout. Cisco had to beat Ravenna's Eric Gray to ensure a top-eight finish and keep his season going.
Cisco wasted little time to get the advantage and rack up the points. By the time the third period ended, Cisco was up 12-5 to ensure that he'll finish at least eighth in the state.
"Now, I just had to be the aggressor," said Cisco.
Where Cisco would finish got a little clearer after his Friday night consolation match, taking on Nate Westfall of Mentor Lake Catholic.
Cisco fell behind early as Westfall went on the offensive. Cisco managed just two escape points and picked up another when Westfall was called for stalling.
Down 5-3 in the final minute of the match, Cisco worked to try and get the takedown that would tie the match, but Westfall kept Cisco at bay to hold on for the 5-3 decision. Cisco will take on Bexley's Jake Weisman in the seventh-place match. Weisman lost his consolation bout to Miami Trace's Jacob Garringer 2-1.
For the Versailles cousins, David and Ethan Oliver, big wins to stay alive on Thursday night could not convert into momentum on Friday afternoon. The pair lost their matches to end their seasons.
David Oliver took on Genoa Area's Kurt Wolfe in a win-or-go-home 171-pound match. Wolfe was in control from the start, posting the 8-0 shutout to end Oliver's season with a 36-12 mark.
Oliver, wrestling his last match, was emotional after his bout.
"I don't know what to do now," said Oliver. "I'm done with wrestling."
Younger cousin Ethan fared just slightly better in his match with D.J. Cummins from Cardington-Lincoln. Cummins posted a 10-6 win to end Oliver's season at 34-12.
"I just got behind early and could not come back," said Ethan Oliver.
Photo by Gary R. Rasberry/The Daily Standard

Versailles' David Oliver, left, tries to get out of the grasp of Genoa Area's Kurt Wolfe during their 171-pound match at the 70th State Wrestling Tournament held at the Schottenstein Center on Friday.

Additional online stories on this date
COLUMBUS - The Coldwater duo of Tyler Kunk and Lucas Homan went into Friday with just one focus.
Both needed just one win to earn themselves at least a spot on the podium come this evening at the awards ceremony. [More]
COLDWATER - The Division IV boys sectional at The Palace had gained a reputation as being one of the toughest in the state, and Friday's action proved just why that is the case. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
ST. HENRY - The village will pursue eminent domain proceedings against four homeowners, including Mayor Lavern Sc hulze and his wife Diana, unless a sidewalk and utility easement agreement is signed by March 21.
Mendon residents are looking high and low for the old school bell that at one time tolled on the former Mendon School building.
They would like to
The Ohio Division of Wildlife has added 20,000 acres of publicly accessible land in southern Ohio that can be used for hunting, fishing, hiking or any other way people enjoy nature.
ELIDA - The Division III sectional final doubleheader on Friday night at the Elida Fieldhouse was worth the price of admission, no matter what the price was, as both games came down to dramatic endings.
Compiles by Gary Rasberry
The Coldwater girls bowling team placed 11th at the first Ohio High School Athletic Association State Bowling Tournament held Friday at Tiki Lanes in Lancaster.