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