Ohio
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.
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Aaron Churchill is the Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education policy think tank based in Columbus.
In November, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed math reforms that would help a generation of struggling students. House lawmakers should send that excellent package known as Senate Bill 19 to the governor’s desk post haste.
Math difficulties start early for many Ohio students. Last year, 45,000 third graders, or 36% statewide, fell short of proficiency on the state math exam. These youngsters had difficulty solving basic arithmetic and measurement problems. Without such skills, big trouble lies ahead for them.
Meanwhile, even larger percentages of high schoolers fare poorly in this subject. On last year’s algebra I state exam, 53,000 students – 41% of test takers – did not achieve proficiency, while a staggering 72,000 students (57%) fell short in geometry.
These failure rates are unacceptable. Students should not be left to struggle with the routine math needed to manage their personal finances, bake a cake or do a home repair. Nor should they lack the critical thinking, data interpretation and problem solving skills that are demanded by today’s employers and essential to career success.
Ohio must help more students gain fluency in math. Senate Bill 19 does this in the following ways.
First, it supports students with math deficiencies. The bill would require schools to provide math interventions to students scoring at the lowest achievement level (known as “limited”) on state tests. Importantly, schools must engage a child’s parents to create an individual improvement plan that outlines the interventions and how progress will be monitored.
Second, the bill promotes strong math curricula. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce would be tasked with reviewing math materials and establishing a high-quality list. With dozens of programs and textbooks on the market – some far better than others – this vetting process would aid school districts in finding the best curriculum for their students.
Third, it asks colleges of education to better prepare elementary teachers. Research from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows that teacher training programs often lack serious math content, especially in the elementary grades, leaving teachers ill-prepared for effective instruction. To help address the problem, the bill mandates that prospective educators pass the math section of the state licensure test to teach the subject, something that is not presently required.
Fourth, it gives high-achieving math students a boost. Traditional course placement practices rely on teacher and parent referrals, which tend to overlook economically disadvantaged students who excel in math. Yet, as a recent Fordham Institute study found, access to advanced coursework is critical to high-achieving, low-income students’ college prospects. Through automatic enrollment provisions, Senate Bill 19 would ensure that all high achievers are placed in challenging math courses, including algebra I in eighth grade.
Some may view Senate Bill 19 as burdensome on schools. But the need for significant improvement in math is urgent and the reforms are commonsense. Students struggling in math ought to get help. Schools should use the best-available textbooks and materials. Teachers should know math before they teach it. Schools must push high achievers to reach their full potential.
Math and reading are the academic pillars that support students’ long-term success as well as the state’s economic growth. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio’s Science of Reading initiative is off to a strong start and promises stronger literacy statewide. It’s now time for policymakers to roll up their sleeves and help students get better at math. Their futures – and the state’s – are at stake.
Aaron Churchill is the Ohio research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an education policy think tank based in Columbus.
Amanda-Clearcreek honors Ohio Air National Guard member Capt. Seth Koval
Amanda-Clearcreek honors Ohio Air National Guard member Capt. Seth Koval
The remains of three Ohio airmen who were killed in the crash of their KC-135 refueling plane in Iraq earlier this month will be returned this weekend, according to a family member of one of the deceased.
The airmen, identified as Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, and Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville, will be brought back March 29 to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, said Charles Simmons, Tyler’s father.
“Tyler will have a hero’s welcome, because he is a hero,” said Charles.
The Columbus Division of Police will be involved in the funeral procession when the airmen’s remains are transferred from the airport to funeral homes, said Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua. That will take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 29, said Fuqua.
The airmen’s remains first arrived back in the U.S. on March 18 with a dignified transfer taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Curtis, Angst, and Simmons were members of the 166th Air Refueling Squadron connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.
The airmen, as well as three other servicemembers, died on March 12 when their KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury in Iran. The cause of the crash, which occurred in friendly airspace, has not been publicly identified. U.S. Central Command has said the incident did not involve hostile or friendly fire, and military experts have theorized the crash may have been the result of a collision with a second KC-135 that sustained heavy damage to its tail fin but landed safely at an airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Thousands of people are expected to head to downtown Columbus for the 23rd annual Home Improvement Show this weekend.
Organizers say visitors can find ideas for everything from small interior design projects to major renovations.
The event is being held at the Ohio Expo Center and includes seminars, exhibits and demonstrations from local and national companies.
The show begins at noon Friday and runs until 6 p.m.
It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adult tickets cost $5 at the door.
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