Bethel-Tate is sending 10 wrestlers to districts.
Bethel-Tate is sending 10 wrestlers to districts.

Clermont County will be well represented when the district wrestling meets are held this coming weekend. 48 wrestlers were able to advance from seven schools led by 13 from New Richmond, 10 from Bethel-Tate and eight from Glen Este.

 

The Lions and Tigers were the big winners from the Division II sectional at Western Brown on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17 and 18.

Out of a possible 14 weight classes, the top four placers in each weight class would advance to the district meet.

New Richmond was able to put 13 wrestlers through, including seven first-place finishers.

“The guys are working extremely hard,” New Richmond coach Deron Shinkle said. “All of those kids have the potential to get to state, it just depends on our draws and if we can stay healthy.”

The Lions that will be moving on are A.J. Rostetter (106 lbs. – 1st), Brody Hooks (113 lbs. – 1st), Austin Skaggs (120 lbs. – 1st), Cody Gabelman (126 – 1st), Robbie Lemar (138 lbs. – 2nd), Tyler Loyd (132 lbs. – 3rd), Cory English (160 lbs. – 2nd), Kevin Reid (170 lbs. – 2nd), James White (182 lbs. – 2nd), Nathan Dixon (220 lbs. – 1st) and J.R. Forsee (285 lbs. – 1st).

“I look for Brody Hooks to move on,” Shinkle said. “He was a state qualifier last year. Same with J.R. Forsee. Austin Skaggs was at state as a sophomore. James White was just a couple matches away last year.

“The other guys are wrestling really well now, too. Nathan Dixon is really turning it on and Corey Gabelman looks good.”

For Bethel, they will send 10 qualifiers to districts, but Coach Tom Donahue was pleased with his entire team as they had a wrestler place in the top six in every weight class.

“Out of those 14 kids, 12 of them are underclassmen so not only is it good for this year, but it also bodes well for our future,” he said.

Qualifying for Bethel-Tate are Nate Closser (106 lbs. – 3rd), Travis Bee (113 lbs. – 3rd), Aric Peters (120 lbs. – 2nd), Brian Carter (126 lbs. – 2nd), Chip Ratcliff (132 lbs. – 1st), Tyler Krekeler (145 lbs. – 4th), Josh East (160 lbs. – 3rd), Jon Ward (195 lbs. – 1st), R.J. Stanfield (220 lbs. – 3rd) and Kian Mollette (285 lbs. – 3rd).

Predictably, Donahue expects the most from his two first-place finishers, Ratcliff and Ward.

“Chip Ratcliff probably has the best shot,” he said. “He surpassed 100 wins at the sectional, he’s sitting at 103 right now, so he has a good shot.

“Jon Ward, Aric Peters and Brian Carter all have a shot of getting to state, but they all have to come out and wrestle well. Nothing is given to them.”

Also qualifying in Division II are five wrestlers from Goshen, headlined by defending state champion Chaz Gresham (182 lbs. – 1st). The others are Tanner Rahm (113 lbs. – 4th), Billy Combs (126 lbs. – 4th), Anthony Carome (152 lbs. – 1st) and Zane Ellis (195 lbs. – 3rd).

Batavia will send three wrestlers. They are Mike Almond (145 lbs. – 3rd), Gabe Archer (182 lbs. – 4th) and Nicholas Bonavita (195 lbs. – 4th).

Clermont Northeastern will send Chad Wendel (120 lbs. – 3rd) and Zach Bixler (170 lbs. – 4th).

In Division I, Glen Este sends eight wrestlers through to the district tournament at Fairfield. They are Caleb Ervin (106 lbs. – 1st), Matt Sicurella (113 lbs. – 2nd), Drew Kearns (132 lbs. – 1st), Max Davis (145 lbs. – 2nd), John Mikolay (160 lbs. – 3rd), Devin Obermeyer (170 lbs. – 4th), Austin Rowan (182 lbs. – 4th) and Shane Blevins (195 lbs. – 2nd).

In Division III, Williamsburg was able to send four wrestlers through from the Blanchester sectional. They are Shane Jeffers (160 lbs. – 4th), Ian Craig (182 lbs. – 4th), Darren Boothby (195 lbs. – 3rd) and Jordan Smith (285 lbs. – 1st).

The district tournaments will take place on Friday and Saturday Feb. 24 and 25. Division I will be held at Fairfield, Division II will be at Goshen and Division III will be at Kettering Fairmont.