COLUMBUS — Some are trying to break records, some are shooting for a higher place than last year, and others are hoping to make the medal stand for the first time.

They all got off to a pretty good start.

Six Clinton County wrestlers took to the mats for the first day of the Division II and III OHSAA state wrestling championship at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center.

Five won their first championship preliminaries, while the sixth lost his first match but advanced through the first round of consolations Thursday night.

Blanchester sophomores Jake Howe and Alex Panno, Clinton-Massie seniors Spencer Running and Levi Schwab and Wilmington senior Christopher Holcomb all won their championship preliminary matches. Massie’s Corby Running lost his preliminary match but won his first match of wrestle-backs and will continue in the tournament.

Today’s action will begin 10 a.m. with the DIII quartefinals, followed by the DII quarters at 10:40. The first round of DIII consolation begins at 12:15 p.m. and DII consolations begin at 1 p.m. Championship semis and consolation quarterfinals begin at 6:30 p.m.

DII

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Holcomb defeated Darnell Williams-Green of Toledo Woodward by pinfall in 1:38.

After controlling the match, Holcomb talked about his nerves of steel.

“I liked it,” he said. “I wasn‘t nervous. You wrestle the best teams. There are only 16 guys out there even though there are thousands of fans.”

Holcomb only worried about the other 15 wrestlers.

Now, the wrestler Holcomb has to focus on is Tyler Hawkins of Millersburg West Holmes. Hawkins defeated Ricky williams of Geneva by pinfall in 1:34.

Hawkins finished eighth last year and enters today’s match with Holcomb 38-2.

DIII

119

Panno picked up a win in his first ever state wrestling tournament match. He defeated Mitchell Dandurand of Bascom Hopewell-Loudon by a 7-5 decision.

“It feels really good (winning the first match) because now I have a better chance at placing,” said Panno. “This is my first year here and I just want to make the podium.”

Panno will now take on Mike Kovach of Bedford St. Peter Chanel who pinned Dillon Nolte (St. Clairsville) in 3:24.

145

Blanchester’s Howe earned a 13-2 major decision over Alex Betts of Bloomdale Elmwood.

The BHS sophomore returns to the state tournament after finishing seventh last year at 135.

Now, Howe faces a big challenge taking on Madison Plains’ Zach Nelson in the quarterfinals.

Nelson, a 38-7 senior, finished fourth last year at 140, won the 130 championship in 2006 and was eighth at 112 in 2005.

‘It’s state. You always have to expect a tough match. You just have to come out and wrestle your hardest,” said Howe. “ I just be ready to wrestle a 6-minute match against a state champion.”

171

Schwab is no stranger to the state championships.

This is his fourth appearance.

Thursday was, however, a milestone for the CMHS senior as he picked up his first win in the championship preliminaries. Although he finished eighth last year, he had to work his way back up through the consolation bracket.

He won a very close 4-3 decision over Beau Bowden of North Lima South Range.

In the final 30 seconds of the match, Bowden was making sure Schwab worked for his win.

“I was thinking, ‘Just get up,’” he said. “The biggest thing is getting the first win. Getting the first takedown then pick it up from there.”

Schwab will now take on Chase Tucker of Martins Ferry who defeated Lucas Worthington (Ashland Crestview) 5-1.

189

Corby took the long way around on Thursday wrestling two matches, but remains alive in the tournament.

In the championship preliminaries, Corby fell by an 11-3 major decision to Brock Kirian of Sycamore Mohawk. Kirian finished sixth last year and fourth in 2006.

In the consolation bracket, Corby made a statement about wanting to remain in the tournament with a win over Matt Shreve of Martins Ferry in the first consolation. Corby pinned Shreve in 53 seconds.

Corby will now face the loser of Aaron Shook (Newark Catholic) and Chad McClroy (Liberty Center).

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Corby’s big brother Spencer pinned his way to the quarterfinals with a win over Schuyler Bondy of Woodsfield Monroe Central. Corby pinned him in 1:43 after an impressive showing on the mat.

“It’s awesome. I’ve been planning on making it and I have fallen short the last two years. I dedicated myself the whole season and the hard work paid off,” said Spencer. “I think I have a good shot.”

Spencer will now face Cory Akin of Wooster Triway in the quarters. Akiin defeated Craig Ritz of Milan Edison in a last-second pin on Thursday.