The front features the Indians’ logo and “Relentless Pursuit.” The back is a countdown of minutes of wrestling needed to win a state title. Thursday, the back said 24 minutes.
“The last one says 6 minutes,” Sams said. “I hope to be wearing that one Saturday night (for finals).”
Sams sent a message he is on a mission with an easy 14-7 win over Dublin Coffman’s Lennox Wolak.
“Last year, I thought this was way easy,” Sams said. “Now that it’s my last year to win one, I feel a lot more pressure.”
Sams was joined in the quarterfinals by teammates Zach Shupp (106) and Sam Meddings (145), as well as Lakota East’s Jon Spaulding (285).
Division II: The third time was the charm for Ross 285 Karson Chasteen in his first-round match.
Chasteen twice just missed landing a throw against Tyler Eby of Steubenville before connecting on his third try for a fall in 2:24.
“I was sliding because I wasn’t high enough,” Chasteen said. “I just had to get it tight enough and he was going to go over no matter what. It turned out to be more of a roll at the end than a real throw.”
Chasteen will be joined in the quarters by Franklin 145 Trenten Scott, a 6-4 winner.
Division III: It has been a hectic week for Carlisle's Reece Human.
Human has left wrestling practice and gone to baseball long enough to get 30 pitches in to be ready for Monday’s scrimmage in Chillicothe.
Thursday afternoon, Human was on target, recording a pair of takedowns in a 5-1 win over Hunter Bodkin of Martins Ferry in the first round at 220.
“This week was definitely kind of weird,” Human said. “I just wanted to grind through my first match and get to Day 2.”
Human defeated Bodkin 3-0 in the quarters last year at state.
“It is just a weird matchup with our styles,” Human said. “I came out a little shaky, but I usually do my first match.”
On deck: Wrestling continues Friday with the quarterfinals at 10 a.m. Semifinals begin at 6:15 p.m. following the coaches of the year award ceremonies.
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