OLIVESBURG — Naomi Gearheart’s quest for a state championship got off to a sensational start over the weekend.
A Crestview sophomore, Gearheart pinned her way to the 145-pound title at the Clyde sectional. Only one of her four matches went beyond the first period — a third-period pin of Carey’s Elise Fredritz in the finals.
Gearheart finished fifth at state in the 155-pound class last year. She is 26-4 heading into Sunday’s district tournament at Findlay.
Ashland’s Isla McFrederick also advanced to the district in the 145-pound class, finishing fourth at Clyde. McFrederick was 2-2 and is 12-11 on the season.
Loudonville’s Zoey Eades won a sectional championship in the 155-pound class at Canal Fulton Northwest on Sunday. She is Loudonville’s first-ever district qualifier and will take a 30-8 record into the Mentor district tournament.
Mapleton’s Taren Kramer and Skylar Hopstetter both punched their tickets to the Findlay district at Avon Lake on Sunday. Kramer finished second at 140 pounds, while Hopstetter was third at 145.