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Celina's Zach Greber goes for a takedown on Shawnee's Kayne Brown during the 150-pound bout on Thursday. Greber got the pinfall win for his 100th career victory as the Bulldogs defeated the Indians 42-27.
CELINA - The breaks went Celina's way in a big way on Thursday night.
The Bulldog wrestlers picked up several key wins to pull away for the 42-27 victory over Shawnee in Western Buckeye League wrestling action at Celina High School, moving to 2-1 in league duals.
After taking a rough 57-24 loss to St. Marys before Christmas, the Bulldogs have rebounded, winning the Parkway Holiday Tournament last week before taking down a Shawnee squad that entered 2-0 in the league.
"(Shawnee) won the Allen County tournament over a good Allen East team. We knew they were undefeated in the league and had a good middle school class come up," said Celina coach James Miracle. "We knew it would be similar to Van Wert (a 39-37 Celina win). We wrestled a little better than we did against Van Wert and a lot better than against St. Marys. That was a quality win for us."
After Celina picked up six points when Shawnee voided at 106 pounds, the Indians tied the match as Tate Ditto got a reversal on Kaleb Krogman and got the pin at 2:56 in the 113-pound bout. Celina quickly countered at 120 with Josiah King pinning Kesthan Jones at 2:49 to put Celina in front.
Celina's Aaren King, right, escapes a takedown attempt by Shawnee's Kael Dodson in Thursday's 126-pound bout.
A pivotal bout came at 126 as Celina's Aaren King, battling illness all day, got a takedown late in the third period against Kael Dodson to force overtime. In the one-minute session, King avoided a near takedown and was able to get a takedown of his own with three seconds remaining to claim the 10-8 decision and extend Celina's lead to 15-6.
"Aaren understands the sport. He knew he had to win it on his feet because he couldn't turn him," said Miracle.
Shawnee came back at 132 with Alejandro Reyes pinning Mason Homan to cut the margin to 15-12, but Payten Staugler gave Celina three points at 138 with a 5-0 decision on Peter Dwyer. Luke Maxwell followed at 144 by breaking a 2-2 tie in the third period with a reversal and three near-fall points to decision Cole Brickner 7-5, making it 21-12 Celina.
At 150, Zach Greber battled Kayne Brown. Leading 6-1 going to the third period, Zach Greber got a takedown and held on for the pin at 5:12 to earn his 100th career victory and extend the Bulldog lead to 27-12.
Carver Harris picked up the win at 157 with a 12-7 decision over Zachary Kreider before Shawnee broke Celina's string with Braeden Stiles getting a 7-1 decision on Wes Greber at 165. Luke Lazarich was taken down early in his 175 bout with Drew Neidemire, but got the escape and a takedown of his own before pinning Neidemire with two seconds remaining in the first period to clinch the match for Celina with a score of 36-15 with three bouts left.
"I had that predicted as a decision win for us," Miracle said of Lazarich. "Neidemire actually pinned Gavin Brown in the dual last year and Gavin was league runner-up. The kid has a lot of potential. Luke was aware of the match being Gavin's backup last year. … (The winning combo was) a takedown into a flying cradle. Not how you coach it, but you're not going to turn it down, either."
Celina's Carter Ly looks to the official for the call for a pinfall in his 215-pound bout against Shawnee's Harrison Griffin.
Preston Coppler got a win for Shawnee at 190 by pinning Josh Sweeney with two seconds remaining in the second period, but Carter Ly picked up a pinfall win for Celina at 215, putting Harrison Griffin to the mat at 1:19. Shawnee closed out the match with Gabe Jamison pinning Brady Steinbrunner at 4:57 at 285 pounds.
"For fans watching, it was a great dual," said Miracle. "Highly competitive throughout. Thirteen contested matches and were all contested."
Celina returns to action on Saturday with a trip to Circleville for the Logan Elm tournament.
