Chase Craft led 10-0 before being thrown to his back in the final period. Craft fought off and recorded the final three points for the major.
“I think my brother had the tougher kid. I had a lot of confidence going into my match,” Chase said of one-upping his brother when Chad was within earshot. But when the lighter Craft walked away, Chase admitted he one-upped him, putting a finger to his lips as if he didn’t want that known.
The trip to state is a return for Chase while a welcomed trip back for Chad.
Chad qualified as a freshman, but missed a spot his sophomore year.
“I don’t get too excited or over-worked up about things,” Chad Craft said. “But it shook my confidence a little bit. I had to find it again.”
Chase Craft lost the contact in his right eye early in his match with Warner, but still could see clearly where he needs to fine tune things before heading to the state tournament.
“I have to be a little more focused,” Chase Craft said. “I know when I get over there (state) I can’t relax like I did this time.”
Miamisburg senior Ryley Regan’s confidence and focus continue to grow after placing at state as a junior.
The 145-pounder ran his record to 39-5 with a dominating run through the district tournament.
“It is definitely a big confidence booster coming into tournaments knowing you’ve accomplished more than your opponents,” Regan said. “It gives you a great mental edge. The pressure (of being a placer) is there, but I kind of like it. I just have to wrestle up to my expectations and everyone’s expectations.”
Regan recorded a takedown less than 10 seconds into his title match with Mason’s Jack Stein in taking a 10-3 win.
“When you get that first takedown that quick, it is nice because it helps with your confidence in the match,” Regan said. “Once you get that, it really lets you control the pace of the match.”
Division II: Graham advanced 13 wrestlers in winning the title at Wilmington High School with 329 points.
The Falcons claimed eight titles, three runners-up and two third-place finishes.
Eaton was fourth and Franklin fifth in the team race with Franklin senior Hunter Bray claiming the title at 132 with a takedown in the final five seconds for a 4-2 win over Graham’s Ryan Thomas.
Bellbrook’s Tyler Weiderholt (182) and Tippecanoe’s Logan Ferrell (285) also claimed titles.
Division III: Defending state champion Dayton Christian finished second at Hobart Arena behind Mechanicsburg.
The Warriors claimed three titles and advanced six to state.
Miami East’s Graham Shore scored the biggest win in the finals, defeating defending state champ Tommy Hoskins of Dayton Christian 7-2 in overtime at 113.
Carlisle returning state placer Reece Human returned to the state tournament after winning the title at 220.
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