»RELATED: Saturday’s high school roundup
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An inspired Versailles team held off Mechanicsburg’s surprising run to the championship match, posting a 39-29 victory. Mechanicsburg led 26-6 after winning six of the first seven matches. Versailles rallied to win six of the final seven matches highlighted by four pins.
The win sends Versailles to the D-III team state championship Feb. 10 at St. John Arena in Columbus.
“We pulled together all week,” Versailles coach AJ Bey said, fighting back tears. “Believe me, we wish Trevor was still here but (winning for him) does make it special. The kids are putting everything out there on the mat for him because he would do it for everyone else. … It’s been a pretty tough week but they came through.”
Versailles beat No. 9 Bluffton 56-17 in the quarterfinals and No. 4 Covington 42-27 in the semis. Senior Jacob Poling (126 pounds), senior Dalton Didier (145), senior Tyler Gigandet (170), junior Isaac Grilliot (195) and sophomore Austin Nerderman (285) all went 3-0 on Saturday.
“The seniors wrestled well. I challenged them two or three weeks ago because I didn’t think we had great leadership,” Bey said. “They came out and got us going. The seniors came through with some pins in tight matches.”
Poling (pin), Didier (pin), junior Cael Bey (152, pin), Gigandet (decision), senior Derek Cavin (pin), Grilliot (pin) and Nerderman (forfeit) all scored wins for the Tigers in the championship match.
“We dedicated this to Trevor,” Gigandet said. “It kind of broke us down for a couple days, at least. The room just wasn’t the same. It was quiet. Now we’re looking at it as we’re going to fight for Trevor. It’s bringing us together.”
Mechanicsburg, meanwhile, upset No. 2 Miami East 40-22 in the quarterfinals and No. 6 Coldwater 42-31 in the semifinals. The meeting between Versailles and Mechanicsburg was the first this season.
“Versailles has a solid team. I’m happy we came here and finally showed up ready to wrestle,” Mechanicsburg coach Cameron Doggett said. “Good things are happening. … I think it’s going to do a lot for our guys’ confidence, even through the postseason. Today was a good day for us.”
In other regional tournament action Saturday:
No. 2 Springboro and No. 5 Beavercreek both reached the semifinals in D-I, Region 7. Springboro dropped a 36-22 decision to No. 3 Harrison and Beavercreek lost 42-33 to top-seeded and champion Mason.
No. 4 Chaminade Julienne qualified for the semifinals in D-II, Region 15 where the Eagles lost to No. 1 Ross 43-28. Ross won the title.
In D-III, Region 23, No. 4 Brookville lost to champion and top-seeded Blanchester 43-31 in the semifinals.
As for Versailles, the Tigers also qualified for the state tournament in 2018 and lost in the semifinals.
“We have the potential to win it and we’ll see what we can do,” Gigandet said. “I’m proud of the team the way we fought back (in the finals). Everyone has bought in and committed to it.”
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