PERRYSBURG – Ashland wrestling coach Tommy Bauer and his 10 district-qualifying Arrows knew what they were walking into this weekend for the star-studded Division I district tournament at Perrysburg.
As always – and featuring powerhouses like team champ St. Edward (339 points) and runner-up host Perrysburg (242.5) – the site didn’t disappoint.
Coming off its sectional team championship at Avon Lake, Ashland placed eighth as a squad (55) and posted a trio of fourth-place, state-qualifying efforts. Senior Cayden Spotts (215 pounds) and freshmen Mason Bauer (106) and Guardian Miller (126) all made it out.
“That’s three guys that have been there before; they know how to shake off a tough loss in the top half (of the bracket) and come back and battle,” coach Bauer said. “We ran into some tough competition, obviously, to take fourth, (facing) a couple guys ranked very high in the state.”
It was a milestone accomplishment for Spotts.
Ranked seventh at 215, he dropped a 5-2 second-round decision to St. Edward’s projected state champ Jonny Slaper after a first-round pin.
But the veteran Arrow worked his way through the consolation bracket for wins of 6-0, 10-1 and 2-1 to become just the fifth AHS wrestler to qualify to state three times.
“He’s a three-time state qualifier, one of the best to wear the Ashland wrestling singlet,” Bauer said. “We’re excited for him to lead two freshmen down to Columbus next week.
“His goal is not finished – he wants to be on the podium. I know how hard he’s worked this year. He’s made a lot of sacrifices and he’s just got to pull the trigger. When he does … he can beat anybody in the state.”
The only other Arrows to make state three times are Bob Andy, Brent Weisenstein, Josh Bever and Jon Metzger (lone four-time qualifier).
Spotts fell 3-2 in the third-place match to Highland’s Ryan Zywiec and will head to Columbus with a 42-11 record this season.
Meanwhile, Bauer and Miller continued to add to their growing star resumes. Both sectional champs, the two each put together 3-2 records in the district tournament, with all four combined losses coming to opponents projected to make the state podium.
Bauer opened with two first-period pins before an 11-3 loss to fourth-ranked Ayden Dodd of Perrysburg. A 5-1 win over Oregon Clay’s Josh Medina clinched his state spot before he fell 5-3 to No. 3-ranked Brandon Bickerton (Highland).
Ashland’s 106-pound, No. 6-ranked freshman will hit state with a 44-3 record.
Miller, meanwhile, followed a similar path. He opened with a pin in 1:03 and a 7-1 triumph before third-ranked Cole Evans of Perrysburg topped him, 7-2.
He recovered to qualify with a 6-2 victory over Lake’s Greyson Clemens before an 18-3 loss in the third-place match to eighth-ranked Khimari Manns of St. Edward.
The 10th-ranked Miller is 43-7 through 50 high school matches.
“We were trying to be one of the four (in each weight class to advance), that’s the goal,” coach Bauer said. “… Hopefully we’ll get a nice draw and go take care of business next week.”
St. Edward collected nine of the 14 district titles Saturday.
