Wrestlers have two sectional champions and one runner-up

Avon’s wrestling team came away from the Division I sectional tournament at Maple Heights High School Saturday with two individual champions, one runner-up and a total of eight wrestlers who placed in the top six in their weight class.

Overall, the Eagles placed sixth of 10 teams with 112 points. Ashland won the tournament with 251½ points.

The two individual winners were Eian Englehart at 215 pounds and Derek Weitzel at 285. Englehart, who has lost just one match all season, won a 10-3 decision over Drayston Martin of Ashland in the championship finals to secure his first sectional crown. Last year, the senior was a sectional runner-up and district qualifier at 285.

Ironically, Weitzel spent much of the season on the junior varsity squad, as Englehart filled the 285 spot. But once Englehart moved down to 215, Weitzel got his chance and he’s taken full advantage. First, he won his weight class in the Southwestern Conference tournament, and now he’s also won a sectional title. The sophomore won sectionals by pinning Alec Cope of Hudson 50 seconds into the match.

Avon senior Anthony Mrosko reached the final at 144, but he was pinned by Sean Heil of North Royalton in 3 minutes, 12 seconds to place second. In addition, senior Jack Schumacher took fourth for Avon at 165, losing a 3-2 decision to Nolan Trautmann of Hudson in the third-place match.

Also finishing in the top six for the Eagles were freshman Sebastian Vidal (175) and sophomore Evan Branham (190) in fifth place, and sophomore Cole Schumacher (132) and senior Kane Sparks (150) in sixth place.

Avon will compete in the district meet this coming weekend at Wadsworth High School.