Springboro lost on tiebreak criteria in a dual with defending champ Centerville, claimed some big wins in a dual meet tournament against top Columbus teams, handed Dayton Christian — the state’s top-ranked Division III team – a loss and finished third in the GMVWA Holiday Tournament.
“I think we have definitely out-performed what people expected out of us,” Boulton said. “Our kids have put in a lot of hard work and have raised their own expectations.”
The Panthers have gotten big wins from Drew Saunier (106), Ryan Boulton (113), Jakob Ottoway (138) and Andrew Honious (160). Each entered the holidays 9-1.
“We are maturing some as a team,” Boulton said. “As we mature as a team, we are maturing as a program.”
Welcome back: Three of the area's best had to have been counting down to 2014 louder than most.
Bellbrook’s Cameron Kelly and Fairmont’s Josh Parrett will make their debuts in early January.
For Kelly, 2013 was a year to forget. He wrestled to a second-place finish at the state tournament on an injured knee before suffering an extensive elbow injury while winning a match at the prestigious Super 32 tournament in October.
Parrett, a three-time state qualifier and returning placer, underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason. The Fairmont senior is scheduled to return Jan. 9 when the Firebirds travel to Centerville.
Michael May is expected back in the Dayton Christian lineup after sitting out the first half of the season, per OHSAA rules, after transferring from Eaton. May was a two-time state qualifiers for the Eagles.
North for the holidays: Dayton Christian, Centerville, Fairmont and Beavercreek spent the holidays on the road.
DC held off Centerville for ninth place at the Brecksville Holiday Tournament by a half point (121-120.5). Fairmont was 32nd.
Dayton Christian’s Jacob Danishek won the 152-pound title with Hunter Bray (106) finishing second after dropping a tough 2-1 decision in the finals. Christian Clary (113) was fourth and Nick Vestal (145) finished fifth for the Warriors.
Centerville was led by a fourth-place finish from 285 Conan Jennings. Alexander Bair (160) and Adam Tonkin (182) finished seventh and Alejandro Charette (220) was eighth for the Elks.
Brad Carroll (138) was the lone placer for Fairmont, finishing sixth.
At Medina, Beavercreek was 32nd.
Ready for Blair: The eyes of the wrestling nation will be on Graham High School Saturday night.
The Falcons, ranked third nationally, entertain top-ranked Blair Academy (NJ) at 7 in a dual once covered live by Flow Wrestling.
Blair and Graham will meet in boys basketball first. The gym then will be cleared to let the wrestling fans in and Graham coach Jeff Jordan says the match will not start until everyone is in and no one will be turned away.
Last year, more than 1,500 watched Graham edge Lakewood St. Edward and Jordan expects the same size crowd.
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