Redskins’ Brink wins state at OHSAA wrestling tournament

COLUMBUS – The Coshocton Redskins are led by coaches Sean Collins and Troy Spang. The Redskins had two returning state placers: junior Lucian Brink, senior Austin Guthrie and first time state qualifier senior Jackson Unger at this year’s 2019 Division 3 State Tournament.

The Newcomerstown Trojans led by head coach Jericoe Jones advanced four state qualifiers to the 2019 Division 3 state wrestling tournament: junior Gavin Weaver, sophomore Logan Hursey, sophomore Coltin Meek and sophomore Jordan Sanders.

The River View Black Bears were led by head coach Devin Klein and Tod Martin and sent two wrestlers to the state tournament: senior Owen Kempf and junior Hayden Martin.

Redskin junior Lucian Brink sought redemption in this year’s tournament following last year’s state finals match loss. Brink came into the tournament with an undefeated record of 49-0. Brink took this year’s division 3, 113-pound weight class by storm with a major decision 12-5 over Adam Ryder of Tuslaw, followed by another major decision score of 8-0 over Tyler Davis of Oak Harbor. In the semi-finals Brink won the match over Cael Vanderhorst of Covington 3-1 to advance to the Championship match. Brink faced freshman Max Shore of Miami East. Shore scored early in the first period with a takedown, but Brink had a quick escape to make the score 2-1 going into the second period. In the second, Shore scored an escape to increase his lead to 3-1. In the third period Brink chose the bottom position and was able to reverse Shore into a cradle and score an additional 3 back points. This flurry put Lucian ahead 6-3 in the closing minute of the match. Brink held onto that lead to become the 2019 Division 3 113 pound State Champion. This win tied the Coshocton single season win record (53) and makes Brink the schools most recent state champion since Brian Baughman in 1994.

Redskin senior Jackson Unger appeared in his first state run at the 152-pound weight class with a 45-8 record. Unger took a first round loss to Beau Lefever of Mapleton by pin. In round two Unger lost by a narrow margin to Carlton Roberts of Rossford by a decision score of 3-2.

Returning state placer, senior Austin Guthrie came into the tournament with a 46-5 record on the season. Guthrie opened up the tournament with a win over Trey Sanders of Bethel-Tate by a major decision of 10-1. Followed by a loss to Ray Adams of Milan Edison 8-5. Guthrie then came up short in the placement round to Dylan Matthews of Liberty Center 3-2.

Junior Gavin Weaver, who placed fifth in 2018, entered the tournament 45-3 in the 126 pound weight class. Weaver started the tournament with a pin over Zach Schaller of Swanton, followed by a tough loss to Ethan Turner of Troy Christian in the quarter-finals round. Weaver gained a win over Kyle Keenan 5-1, but a loss to Zach Larue of Akron Manchester 5-3. Weaver took a win over Antonio Lecki of Millbury Lake 5-2, to take fifth place and All-Ohioan status.

Logan Hursey, sophomore, entered the tournament 49-1 in the 138 pound weight class.  Hursey pinned in the first round against Nathan Cadle of River Valley, and won by major decision over Noah Pymatuning Valley in the quarter-finals with the score 13-4. Hursey lost to Peyton Lance of New Paris National Trail 15-5 in the semi-finals, but bounced back with a win over Jordan Keegan of Milan Edison, 8-4. In his placement match Hursey came up short to Niko Chilson of Rootstown by a score of 6-1 to finish fourth place overall in the 138 pound weight class. His fourth place finish earned All-Ohioan honors and was up two spots from last year’s sixth place finish.

Sophomore Coltin Meek entered the tournament at the 160 pound weight class with a record of 47-8. Meek lost to Kyle Ryder of Massillon Tuslaw 9-3, then to Deontae Davis of Rawson Cory-Rawson by score of 8-6.

Newcomerstown’s fourth qualifier sophomore Jordan Sanders entered the state tournament with a record of 38-10. Sanders lost his first round match 13-0 to the eventual state champion Ryan Boyle of Rootstown. Sanders came up short in the consolation rounds with a 10-3 loss to Dakota Sargent of Columbus Grove.

Junior Hayden Martin entered the tournament with a record of 42-9. Martin lost to the eventual state champion Jordan Decatur of CVCA by pin in the first round of tournament action. In the consolations Martin lost to August Eschedor of Bowling Green by the score of 6-2.

Senior Owen Kempf came into the tournament with a record of 41-10. In the first round Kempf lost to Alex Coleman of Hamilton Ross by pin. In the consolations Kempf suffered a controversial loss by penalty point in sudden victory to David Hooks of St. Vincent-St. Mary 2-1.

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