Ohio

Here are 5 Columbus-area storylines entering Ohio high school wrestling regional duals

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2025

Here are 5 Columbus-area storylines entering Ohio high school wrestling regional duals

A busy stretch for central Ohio wrestlers starts Saturday with the regional dual tournament, followed by the state duals next weekend.

The Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association sponsors the annual duals. Boys and girls regionals will be held at sites throughout the state.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association postseason begins the weekend after the state duals.

Here are five Columbus-area storylines heading into the regional duals:

1. Dublin Coffman aims to keep streak alive

Coffman will be seeking its seventh consecutive Division I regional duals title and ninth in 10 seasons when it hosts a bracket Saturday.

The top-seeded Shamrocks open against No. 8 Big Walnut, with the winner facing No. 4 Mount Vernon or No. 5 Olentangy in the final later that day. The winner advances to the state duals Feb. 8 at Olentangy Liberty.

Coffman finished fourth in the state duals last year.

“I look forward to this tournament,” coach Chance Van Gundy said. “We don’t see a lot of central Ohio teams besides our OCC-Central schedule. We wrestle a lot up north and we go down to Mason to wrestle. We’re out of central Ohio more than we’re in central Ohio, so this weekend guarantees two duals with central Ohio teams who are not in our (OCC) division.”

Key wrestlers for the Shamrocks are Loc Webber (33-2, 106 pounds), Blaze Van Gundy (28-3, 126), Eli Esguerra (28-5, 150), Braylon Wright (25-5, 215), Isaiah Callahan (23-6, 144), Tommy Wurster (22-3, 113), Cole Woodruff (22-9, 138), Michael Feeney (22-8, 175), Clayton Shipley (21-9, heavyweight) and Zion Birden (20-7, 120).

2. Olentangy ready for regional test

Olentangy coach Matt White believes his team matches up well with Mount Vernon and hopes it can earn a spot in the final, likely against Coffman.

Last season, the Braves finished third at regional, beating Watkins Memorial 57-20 in the consolation match.

Top wrestlers for Olentangy are Nick Piontkowski (33-6, 150), Kurt Mokros (28-6, 126), Daniel Stephens (28-7, heavyweight), Preston Schuler (28-9, 132), Luke Mokros (25-12, 120) and Landon Moses (21-13, 144).

“Our wrestlers are wrestling at a highly competitive level,” White said. “Our goal is to make it out (of regional). We know we have very tough teams on our side of the bracket. I want these guys to show up and do what they know how to do.”

Second-seeded Liberty also hosts a Division I bracket and faces No. 7 Lancaster in the opening round. The winner faces No. 3 Marysville or No. 6 Teays Valley, with that winner advancing to the state duals.

3. DeSales boys looking down the road

With his team expected to enter the Division II regional duals without a complete lineup, Stallions coach Collin Palmer hopes the event provides a tune-up for the OHSAA postseason.

DeSales is seeded third and faces No. 6 Clyde in the first round Saturday at Sandusky Perkins. The winner faces No. 2 Perkins or No. 7 Wapakoneta, with that winner advancing to the state duals Feb. 8 at Watterson.

Key wrestlers for DeSales are Andrew Barford (20-5, 175), Joel Welch (19-6, 165) and Lincoln Shulaw (13-3, 190).

“We have had trouble filling a lineup this year,” Palmer said. “Obviously, our heavy hitters have to put points on the board to see how we do. We have trouble filling more than 10, 11 guys. Going into the bigger events with holes in your lineup, it’s hard to compete.”

There are 14 weight classes.

Elsewhere in Division II, Watterson is a No. 1 seed and hosts a regional bracket Saturday. Jonathan Alder, a No. 3 seed, also hosts a bracket that includes Hartley, a No. 6 seed.

4. Olentangy Orange girls seek return trip to state duals

Orange coach Brian Nicola said his team’s biggest focus is daily progress on the mat rather than concentrating on championships.

The Pioneers host a regional bracket Saturday and have a first-round bye. They face No. 8 Westerville North or No. 9 Steubenville in a semifinal, with the winner taking on No. 4 Big Walnut or No. 5 Teays Valley.

The regional champion advances to the state duals Feb. 8 at Marysville.

“Our focus this year is we really don’t talk about (postseason titles),” Nicola said. “Coming in every day to get better and being good teammates has been the main focus.”

The Pioneers won the state duals in 2022 and 2023 but finished second to Harrison last season. Last year, they went on to capture their first OHSAA team title at the state tournament for individuals.

Key wrestlers for Orange are Mackenzie Carder (28-1, 120), Lydia Heinrich (28-2, 170), Bella Ndinga Mbappe’ (26-6, 130), Chloe Tompkins (25-5, 135), Alanna Smith (23-7, 140), Lexie Riley (22-7, 145), Jennifer Huaracha-Arellanos (22-3, heavyweight) and Lacie Knick (20-0, 125).

“We’re right where we want to be this time of the year,” Nicola said. “We still have some adjustments that we need to work on, but we’re pretty happy.”

5. Delaware Hayes eager to face challengers

Delaware travels Saturday to Gahanna Lincoln, where the third-seeded Pacers take on No. 6 Hilliard Bradley in a semifinal. The winner faces No. 2 Gahanna, No. 7 Watkins Memorial or No. 10 Darby in the final, with the winner advancing to the state duals.

“I feel good about this weekend,” said Josh Lamb, who shares Delaware coaching duties with Kevin Rieman. “Having a whole lineup helps. We’re pretty solid across the board. … We’re excited to get a chance to go down there and wrestle and showcase what we’re made of.”

Delaware is seeking its fourth consecutive state duals berth.

Key wrestlers for the Pacers are Nelease Danzy (18-2, 145), Evelyn Krauss (17-6, 155), Lahni Danzy (16-7, 120), Taylor Flynn (15-7, 125) and Abi Forsythe (105, 15-7).

Marysville also is a No. 1 seed and hosts No. 8 Wauseon, with the winner facing No. 4 Clyde or No. 5 Lewistown Indian Lake for a trip to the state duals.

fdirenna@dispatch.com

@DispatchFrank

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Ohio

Ohio Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 5-4-7

Evening: 5-5-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 0-0-0-4

Evening: 9-4-6-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 0-1-8-0-0

Evening: 8-6-0-3-3

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

01-18-27-30-31

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.

09-10-13-25-54, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.

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Ohio

Ryan Day explains Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State coordinator

Published

17 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Ryan Day explains Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State coordinator

Ryan Day explained the hiring process that led to former Falcons head coach and NFL assistant Arthur Smith becoming the offensive coordinator of Ohio State football.

Appearing as a guest on “The Jim Rome Show” March 3, Day emphasized the importance of hiring a someone with an extensive body of work to coach the Buckeyes’ offense.

“When Brian [Hartline] moved on to South Florida [we] wanted to go bring in somebody with great experience,” Day said.

Day said the Buckeyes first looked at coaches with collegiate coordinator experience, then the NFL. Smith’s three-year tenure as a head coach in the NFL, along with his extensive time with the Tennessee Titans as an assistant and offensive coordinator, made him stand out as a candidate, Day said.

“…[I] had a chance myself to sit down and talk with him. It was excellent,” Day said. “He’s a great communicator, very intelligent, and really loves the game of college football.  When you hear a story about growing up and how much time he spent around college football, you could just see it in his eyes.”

Day added that the new role has been almost “refreshing” to Smith when given the chance to work with college players and young talent.

Smith has spent the majority of his coaching career in the NFL. He served a year as a graduate assistant at North Carolina, his alma mater, and brief stint with Ole Miss as an administrative assistant.

Smith was then hired by his hometown Titans in 2011 and spent the the rest of the decade with them, rising from quality control coach to assistant offensive line coach to tight ends coach. Promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019, he led Mike Vrabel’s Titans to proficient offensive seasons with running back Derrick Henry.

Day said hiring Smith will allow him to take a back seat on the offense.

“It was great to have Matt [Patricia] on defense, and Brian [Hartline] did a great job as well, but I think this year will allow me to even step back even more and try to do as much as I can from the head coaching seat,” Day said.

After Hartline accepted the South Florida head coaching job, Day stepped in to call plays during the Cotton Bowl against Miami. Ohio State lost 24-14.

Smith joins Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as an Ohio State coordinator hire with previous NFL head coaching experience. Smith went 21-30 as the head coach of the Falcons for three years.

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Woman dies after saving grandchild playing in driveway from out-of-control car, Ohio officials say

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Woman dies after saving grandchild playing in driveway from out-of-control car, Ohio officials say

Updated on: March 2, 2026 / 9:50 PM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

A woman in Pickaway County, Ohio, died after moving a child out of the way of an out-of-control car, authorities said.

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that 52-year-old Laura J. Hammond of Mt. Sterling was fatally struck by the vehicle on Feb. 27 on Walnut Creek Pike in Circleville.

The sheriff’s office said officials were called to the area for a report of a crash around 10 a.m. At the scene, investigators learned that the driver of a Nissan Sentra was headed southbound on Walnut Creek Pike when they went off the west side of the road. The car then careened through two yards before hitting a Chevrolet Equinox parked in the driveway of a home, officials said.

The Nissan, at the same time that it smashed into the Chevrolet, hit Hammond, pinning her between the two vehicles. Before being hit, the sheriff’s office said Hammond moved a child out of the way, which “more than likely saved his life.” CBS affiliate WBNS reported that the young child Hammond saved was her grandson.

“Laura actually picked up the child and tossed him. At the end of the day, it saved his life,” Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Strawser told the news outlet. “And when Laura tossed him, very unfortunately, she took the brunt of the vehicle.”

Hammond was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The young child was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. The sheriff’s office did not release any additional information about the crash.

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