COLUMBUS Last year in the Division I state wrestling tournament, Perrysburg’s Rocco Caywood left the
party early.
This year, the 182-pounder is part of the main event as the only Wood County wrestler to reach the
championship finals at The Schottenstein Center.
In the semifinals, Caywood trailed Cincinnati Moeller’s Dakota Sizemore with only seconds left. But he
escaped and sent the match into overtime.
He rode Sizemore out in the second period of overtime and escaped for a 6-5 win and a trip to the finals.
“I went in confident and got the win,” said Caywood. “He got in pretty deep on me. I used my wizzer and
leg defense.’’
In the quarterfinals, Caywood scored first with a takedown on Anthony McGlaughlin of Cleveland St.
Ignatius and scored another in the final period for a 5-3 win.
Four Yellow Jacket wrestlers will wrestle in the consolation semifinals with a chance for a finish as
high as third.
J.P. Newton (152) met disappointment in Casey Sparkman of Massillon Perry in the semifinals. Sparkman
used a late takedown for a 3-1 win.
Newton reached the semis with a 14-12 win over Caleb Llaneza of Westerville South in the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Kadin Llewellyn (195) found himself in an upper body takedown affair with Kyle
Conel of Ashtabula Lakeside. Llewellyn battled back, but couldn’t close the gap and lost, 11-9.
In the consolation, he defeated Chris Meffert of Uniontown Lake 4-1 and then defeated Ross Lonsway of
Springfield, 5-3 in the consolation quarters.
“I’m getting my head back in it,” said Llewellyn. “It’s not over just because I lose in my senior year. I
have to come back and take third.”
Cale Bonner (285) lost his quarterfinal to Andrew Alten of Loveland in an overtime tiebreaker when he was
called for stalling.
Bonner stayed alive for a place with a 2-1 win over Chris Crumb of Lewis Center Olentangy and a 3-0 win
over C.J. Kinzer of Teays Valley.
In the consolation round Mario Guillen (113) dominated Troy Barkley of Centerville 12-2 and Chris Doyle
of Green 17-1.
“It was the usual, lot of ups and downs,” coach Sam Cotterman said about the tournament. “But,
ultimately, that was a great round. J.P. (Newton) lost a heartbreaker. It’s hard to see that one fall,
but you can’t say enough about Rocco and Mario. Mario finally looked like he should have and Cale and
Kadin have bounced back.”
Moises Guillen (120) advanced in the second round when Armondo Torres was forced to default due to
injury.
He then dropped a 4-2 match to Josh Heil of Brunswick.
In his second round of the consolations, Dan Waltermeyer (160) was pinned by Nick Stencel of Clay in 4:01
and will not place. He finished the season at 36-10.
Perrysburg is in fifth place, just five points from third.
In Division III, Otsego’s Jordan Hendrix (160) moved forward to the semis with a 6-2 win over Robert
Mickey. Hendrix fell behind early but rallied for a 7-6 win. He lost in the semis to Kollin Moore of
Norwayne 18-3 and dropped into the consolation.
“I feel all right,” said Hendrix. “It’s the first time down to state, and placing I feel accomplishment.”
Trent Soto (132) lost to Sammy Gross of Beachwood 9-6 in the quarterfinals but won in his first
consolation round over Jason Sadler.
Soto’s three nearfalls in the third period made the difference. He out-lasted Kameron Rayner of Caldwell
4-3 to stay in the hunt for third place.
“My motivation is to be a state placer and that is what is keeping me going,” said Soto.
“We have wrestled well, and proven we belong down here,” said Otsego coach Joe Gerwin.
Northwood’s Devon Dunbar defeated Noah Mattin of Delta 5-4 and Colton Ullman of Loudonville, 4-2 in the
consolations.
“The nerves kind of got me in the first match, but I’m excited I’m placing,” said Dunbar. “I just have to
get back to third now.”
Jacob Wise of Elmwood lost to Joey Meek of Northwestern 4-3 in an overtime tiebreaker, but redeemed
himself with a 2-1 win over Ryan Green of Margaretta.
“I have been pretty solid on my feet so far,” said Wise. “I haven’t given up many takedowns.”
Wise lost again and is in position to finish seventh.
