High School Wrestling: Lebanon sending six qualifiers to state tournament

For Colton Quantz, his Division I district title run didn’t start with his first match at Kettering’s Trent Arena on Friday. It began with his final match last season, also at the Trent.

The Lebanon senior went 1-2 at last year’s district tournament. That final loss was a match Quantz felt he should have won. He vowed never again.

“Last year here I realized it. I should have gotten out but I got sloppy. I lost my cool,” Quantz said shortly after making good on his promise and winning the 220-pound weight class. “I ended up losing a match never should have lost. I decided it’s not happening anymore.”

Quantz rolled into the semifinals with a pin in 51 seconds over Northmont senior Jake Staley and a 5-1 decision over St. Xavier sophomore LaVeall Trimble.

In the semifinals he pinned Wayne freshman Joshua Padilla in 5:13. That set up a rematch with Fairfield junior Brandon Smith, who Quantz beat 8-4 in last week’s sectional title win.

On Saturday, Quantz won again but held on for a 1-0 victory for the district title and state berth. Smith also advanced.

“A lot of work in the offseason. Cleaning up my lifestyle. Making smart choices. Never quitting,” Quantz said of the difference from last season’s 1-2 district record last season and this year’s 4-0 effort. “I didn’t really give it up. I just cut more of it out. A healthy balance.”

Quantz was one of six Warriors to qualify for the D-I state tournament held Friday through Sunday at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

Senior Tyler Grogg (170) and senior Caleb Tackett (195) both finished third. Freshman Jack McCall (113), sophomore Luke Marsh (138) and senior Ethan Marsh (160) placed fourth. The top four placers from each weight class advanced to state.

Lakota East qualified a pair to state. Senior Alex Epstein finished third (138) and senior Aaron Sharp (285) placed fourth.

Talawanda senior Terell Willis (220) finished third.

“I haven’t quite felt it yet,” Quantz said. “I’m trying to keep a level head going into state and doing some damage up there. … I’m happy to be where I am. But I’m not going to be happy if I don’t do what I can.”

In the D-II district meet at Wilmington, Ross and Franklin both qualified a pair of wrestlers. Ross senior and defending state champion Alex Coleman (285) won a district title and junior Sean Beltran (145) finished third.

Franklin senior Gage Johnson (170) placed third and senior Jared Kremer (195) was fourth.

In the D-III district at Troy, Madison junior Devin Oligee (170) placed third and senior Quincy Brown (195) placed fourth.

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