Rockets, Comets fare well at state wrestling tournament

By: 
Yaneek Smith

Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com

It’s been quite a run for Hayden Buhro.
The Oak Harbor senior has had tremendous success in track and field, football and now wrestling.
He just finished third at 165 pounds in Division III at the state tournament, winning four matches – three of them by a combined score of 9-5.
Buhro defeated Wayne Trace’s Sam Moore, 9-5, in the first round, held off Westfall’s Gage Bolt, 3-2, in the second round before getting pinned by Rootstown’s Cody Coontz in 5:53. But Buhro recovered to beat Defiance Tinora’s Dalton Wolfrum, 3-1, and edged Lakota's Braxton Quaintance, 3-2, in the third-place match.
Teammate Owen Miller (138) finished fourth, but only after winning four consecutive matches following a loss in the first round. Miller was pinned in 2:59 by Greenview’s Ashtan Hendricks, moving Miller to the consolation bracket. But he won in the next four matches, winning by a combined score of 16-5 before falling to Xenia Legacy Christian’s Brayden Brown by major decision, 9-1.
Oak Harbor coach George Bergman talked about the duo’s success.
“They both wrestled well. Finishing in the top four is quite an honor,” he said. “It was the third time at state for both of them.
“Owen had to win two in a row to place, and that showed a lot of character on his part. He had fallen just short of placing the last two years. Hayden was very consistent. He didn’t get to wrestle last year (at state) because of a skin condition. He beat the Lakota kid (Braxton Quaintance) for the fifth straight time. One mistake and you probably get beat and don’t finish third.”
Bodee Miller (113) competed at the tournament but lost his two matches.
This past season was the final one for the Rockets in the Sandusky Bay Conference. Having coached at Oak Harbor for over three decades, Bergman was honored before the conference tournament.
“It was a total surprise. What a class act,” Bergman said. “There are so many great people – coaches, supporters, athletic directors, principals in the SBC. There’s great tradition. I’m going to miss competing in the SBC. It’s been an honor to be able to compete in that conference.”
Genoa had three wrestlers compete in Columbus, with Scott Fuller finishing third at 106. Mikey Soto (120) and Ethan Crawford (215) both lost their first two matches.
Fuller began his day by defeating West Union’s Ethan Cantrell by technical fall, 15-0, in the first round. Fuller then lost, 7-4, to Mentor Lake Catholic’s Parker Pikor in the second round and responded by winning four straight matches.
“Scotty wrestled well,” said Genoa coach Bob Bergman. “To be all-state as a freshman is quite an honor. He joins elite company as only four freshmen have accomplished that feat in our program’s history.”
Bergman was happy to see Soto and Crawford get some experience on the grand stage.
“It was awesome to have Mikey get some experience on the mat at the state tournament. He scored lots of points in his matches and continues to improve,” Bergman said. “He is a spark plug for us and can be a dominant force next season.
“I’m really happy for Ethan and his performance at state. He had a challenging draw but made the most of the opportunity and gained valuable experience. I am impressed with his maturity.”
Bergman said the Comets are aiming to take another step forward next season.
“We are still a young bunch and will only lose one starter. We will return a state placer, three state wrestlers and seven district qualifiers with 10 experienced freshmen coming in,” he said. “The best is yet to come.”

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