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MANSFIELD – It must be catching.
First, the Kansas City Chiefs are rebuffed in their bid to become a three peat Super Bowl champion. Then, the UConn men’s basketball team falls short in its quest for a three peat NCCA championship.
And, now, the Ontario Warriors wrestling team has fallen through the three peat trapdoor.
ALL-OHIO: Clear Fork's Blubaugh, Barnett tabbed as Division V All-Ohio girls basketball players
Not that the Warriors did anything wrong. Quite the contrary.
They made it very interesting, producing an area-high three medalists at the state meet in Columbus. But, in the end, they were overtaken by the Ashland Arrows – and their consistently strong performance this winter – in the News Journal’s final Wrestling Power Poll of the 2024-25 season, thus ending Ontario’s two-year reign.
It took one of the best seasons in program history for Ashland to stake claim to No. 1. And the Arrows might be just getting started.
They will return eight of their 11 district qualifiers next season and all four of their state participants, including sophomore medalists Mason Bauer (126 pounds) and Guardian Miller (144).
In fact, the 2025-26 outlook for area wrestling in general is terrific.
Eleven of the 13 state medalists and 16 of the 18 state qualifiers will be back after a season that saw seven of the 12 teams in this poll produce state qualifiers and five boast multiple medalists.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each team and their final ranking:
1. Ashland: All you need to know about the Arrows is that they finished third in their Division I regional meet behind two nationally-ranked teams, 2025 state champ Lakewood St. Edward and Perrysburg, which finished third in the state standings.
OK, that’s not all you need to know. The Arrows won the renowned Medina Invitational Tournament for the first time and went on to repeat as Ohio Cardinal Conference and sectional champion behind second-year coach Tommy Bauer.
Miller and Mason Bauer were joined at state by fellow sophomore Max Ohl (113) and junior Budda Martin (215). Bauer finished third at state and Miller was fourth. All four won 40-plus matches, only the second time in program history four qualifiers have put up those kind of numbers.
Bauer and Miller led the way at 51-7 and 50-7, respectively, followed by Martin (47-18) and Ohl (41-12).
Eight other Arrows won at least 25 matches each, with Bauer and Miller on pace to join 2023 grad Jon Metzer as four-time state qualifiers. They also have the best chance of eclipsing the school record for career victories (173), held by 2019 state champion heavyweight Josh Bever.
2. Ontario: The Warriors might have put a three-peat in their pocket had injuries not gotten in the way. Junior Aiden Ohl, ranked No. 1 all season at 113 in DII, suffered a high ankle sprain in a state quarterfinals loss and literally fought back on one leg to finish third. Sophomore Gavin Miller (eighth at 138) and senior Landon Sowards (sixth at 190) joined Ohl (47-3 overall) on the podium and senior Mason Turnbaugh (150) almost certainly would have been a repeat medalist had knee issues not forced him to retire after one match – his 150th career win – at districts.
Counting freshman Tyler Turnbaugh (120), the Warriors had four state qualifiers, just one off the school record set in 2024.
3. Clear Fork: By winning the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference meet for the second time in three years, the Colts finished the season with four team championships, knowing that seven of their nine district qualifiers will be back next year. The returnees will include Anthony Oscar, who as a freshman 138-pounder went 48-3 overall and 4-2 at state for a fourth-place medal, and 113 state qualifier Colton Wenger, coming off a 39-win junior season.
The Colts will lose senior Blake Schlosser (175), a seventh-place state medalist, but the program has reached the point under head coach Nick Allerding where it reloads, not rebuilds.
4. Galion: The Tigers produced the area’s only state finalist in Gradey Harding (126), who took runner-up honors in DII for the second year in a row. Carter Trukovich (132) has been a state qualifier in both years with the varsity and won a medal in 2024. And junior Ryder Alberty (138) finished seventh at state, giving the Tigers a strong foundation to build upon next winter.
FYI, all five of Galion’s district qualifiers will be back.
5. Madison: Here’s another team with multiple state medalists. Junior Jaxin Stancombe finished sixth at 285 and sophomore Aiden Proctor was eighth at 165 in DII. If they make it back next year, they could have plenty of company on the girls side.
Junior Estella Koppert just missed a return trip to Columbus, finishing with a 38-4 record. Joining her as district qualifiers were sophomores Abigail McGlasson (17-16 at 120) and Anna Blanton (24-22 at 190).
6. Northmor: Even though their streak of 21 straight years with multiple state qualifiers came to an end this season, many programs would have killedto have the Knights’ success this winter.
Carson Campbell, a junior 157-pounder and their lone DIII state participant, became a repeat medalist by finishing sixth. Three other Knights, including three-time medalist Cowin Becker, were state alternates, coming out of arguably the toughest DIII district, especially with perennial state champ St. Paris Graham dropping to DIII.
The Knights were second in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference meet, third at sectionals and seventh at districts, with most of their key figures back next season
7. Shelby: Few teams made bigger strides than the Whippets under coaches Gavin Speelman and Jeremiah Howe. They had six district qualifiers and five of them should be back next season.
Look at some of these numbers: Denny Lafon, 34-12 at 150, Christian Santiz, 37-12 at 175, Gavin Garrett, 30-13 at 285.
Not bad for a program that finished 10th in last year’s final poll.
8. Crestview: With a little luck, coach Nate Godsey could have had a second state champ in as many years as head coach. With 2024 champ Caleb Cunningham off to college, the spotlight switched to sophomore Naomi Gearheart. She fell one win short of the finals and finished third at 145 pounds after placing fifth in 2024.
Gearheart remains the only girls medalist in the area since the OHSAA began sanctioning the girls state meet in 2023.
On the boys side, sophomore Qwintin Howard was a state alternate after being a qualifier in 2024. He’s one of four district qualifiers who should be returning next season for the Firelands Conference runners-up.
9. Plymouth: After sending five boys to state in the previous three seasons, the Big Red didn’t have any representatives in Columbus this year. But they did place eight in the top four at the Firelands Conference meet, including a champ in Noah Robinson. He finished his senior season 40-8 and came within one win of a repeat trip to state.
10. Lexington: Senior Owen Reamsnider and sophomore Brandon Reaves led the way for Lex as district qualifiers, with records of 31-14 and 25-11, respectively. Two girls also reached districts with winning records: senior Kyler Lamb (27-14 at 110) and sophomore Leah Van Meter (34-17 at 135).
11. Mansfield Senior: Three Tygers placed in the DI sectional at Avon Lakes: Chase Cole (6th at 144), James Davis (6th at 157) and J’Shawn Johonson (5th at 285).
The team’s Facebook page has nearly 800 followers, so the Tygers certainly have their supporters. One of the most encouraging signs is that the program is just two years removed from Jacob Endicott taking over as head coach in midseason and helping to steer Mekhi Bradley and Leo Hess to state medals.
12.Lucas: The biggest highlight of their season was the Cubs hosting the first annual Damon Mauk Invitational to help mark the 10th anniversary of the program. Senior Rayden Caudill won an individual title and MVP honors that day in his home gym and went on to finish runner-up in the KMAC and third at sectionals. He was 44-9 overall and topped the century mark in career wins, aided by two other titles at Madison and Mapleton.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Wrestling Power Poll: Ashland unseats Ontario as No. 1 in final rankings
Continue reading...
First, the Kansas City Chiefs are rebuffed in their bid to become a three peat Super Bowl champion. Then, the UConn men’s basketball team falls short in its quest for a three peat NCCA championship.
And, now, the Ontario Warriors wrestling team has fallen through the three peat trapdoor.
ALL-OHIO: Clear Fork's Blubaugh, Barnett tabbed as Division V All-Ohio girls basketball players
Not that the Warriors did anything wrong. Quite the contrary.
They made it very interesting, producing an area-high three medalists at the state meet in Columbus. But, in the end, they were overtaken by the Ashland Arrows – and their consistently strong performance this winter – in the News Journal’s final Wrestling Power Poll of the 2024-25 season, thus ending Ontario’s two-year reign.
It took one of the best seasons in program history for Ashland to stake claim to No. 1. And the Arrows might be just getting started.
They will return eight of their 11 district qualifiers next season and all four of their state participants, including sophomore medalists Mason Bauer (126 pounds) and Guardian Miller (144).
In fact, the 2025-26 outlook for area wrestling in general is terrific.
Eleven of the 13 state medalists and 16 of the 18 state qualifiers will be back after a season that saw seven of the 12 teams in this poll produce state qualifiers and five boast multiple medalists.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each team and their final ranking:
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1. Ashland: All you need to know about the Arrows is that they finished third in their Division I regional meet behind two nationally-ranked teams, 2025 state champ Lakewood St. Edward and Perrysburg, which finished third in the state standings.
OK, that’s not all you need to know. The Arrows won the renowned Medina Invitational Tournament for the first time and went on to repeat as Ohio Cardinal Conference and sectional champion behind second-year coach Tommy Bauer.
Miller and Mason Bauer were joined at state by fellow sophomore Max Ohl (113) and junior Budda Martin (215). Bauer finished third at state and Miller was fourth. All four won 40-plus matches, only the second time in program history four qualifiers have put up those kind of numbers.
Bauer and Miller led the way at 51-7 and 50-7, respectively, followed by Martin (47-18) and Ohl (41-12).
Eight other Arrows won at least 25 matches each, with Bauer and Miller on pace to join 2023 grad Jon Metzer as four-time state qualifiers. They also have the best chance of eclipsing the school record for career victories (173), held by 2019 state champion heavyweight Josh Bever.
2. Ontario: The Warriors might have put a three-peat in their pocket had injuries not gotten in the way. Junior Aiden Ohl, ranked No. 1 all season at 113 in DII, suffered a high ankle sprain in a state quarterfinals loss and literally fought back on one leg to finish third. Sophomore Gavin Miller (eighth at 138) and senior Landon Sowards (sixth at 190) joined Ohl (47-3 overall) on the podium and senior Mason Turnbaugh (150) almost certainly would have been a repeat medalist had knee issues not forced him to retire after one match – his 150th career win – at districts.
Counting freshman Tyler Turnbaugh (120), the Warriors had four state qualifiers, just one off the school record set in 2024.
3. Clear Fork: By winning the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference meet for the second time in three years, the Colts finished the season with four team championships, knowing that seven of their nine district qualifiers will be back next year. The returnees will include Anthony Oscar, who as a freshman 138-pounder went 48-3 overall and 4-2 at state for a fourth-place medal, and 113 state qualifier Colton Wenger, coming off a 39-win junior season.
The Colts will lose senior Blake Schlosser (175), a seventh-place state medalist, but the program has reached the point under head coach Nick Allerding where it reloads, not rebuilds.
4. Galion: The Tigers produced the area’s only state finalist in Gradey Harding (126), who took runner-up honors in DII for the second year in a row. Carter Trukovich (132) has been a state qualifier in both years with the varsity and won a medal in 2024. And junior Ryder Alberty (138) finished seventh at state, giving the Tigers a strong foundation to build upon next winter.
FYI, all five of Galion’s district qualifiers will be back.
5. Madison: Here’s another team with multiple state medalists. Junior Jaxin Stancombe finished sixth at 285 and sophomore Aiden Proctor was eighth at 165 in DII. If they make it back next year, they could have plenty of company on the girls side.
Junior Estella Koppert just missed a return trip to Columbus, finishing with a 38-4 record. Joining her as district qualifiers were sophomores Abigail McGlasson (17-16 at 120) and Anna Blanton (24-22 at 190).
6. Northmor: Even though their streak of 21 straight years with multiple state qualifiers came to an end this season, many programs would have killedto have the Knights’ success this winter.
Carson Campbell, a junior 157-pounder and their lone DIII state participant, became a repeat medalist by finishing sixth. Three other Knights, including three-time medalist Cowin Becker, were state alternates, coming out of arguably the toughest DIII district, especially with perennial state champ St. Paris Graham dropping to DIII.
The Knights were second in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference meet, third at sectionals and seventh at districts, with most of their key figures back next season
7. Shelby: Few teams made bigger strides than the Whippets under coaches Gavin Speelman and Jeremiah Howe. They had six district qualifiers and five of them should be back next season.
Look at some of these numbers: Denny Lafon, 34-12 at 150, Christian Santiz, 37-12 at 175, Gavin Garrett, 30-13 at 285.
Not bad for a program that finished 10th in last year’s final poll.
8. Crestview: With a little luck, coach Nate Godsey could have had a second state champ in as many years as head coach. With 2024 champ Caleb Cunningham off to college, the spotlight switched to sophomore Naomi Gearheart. She fell one win short of the finals and finished third at 145 pounds after placing fifth in 2024.
Gearheart remains the only girls medalist in the area since the OHSAA began sanctioning the girls state meet in 2023.
On the boys side, sophomore Qwintin Howard was a state alternate after being a qualifier in 2024. He’s one of four district qualifiers who should be returning next season for the Firelands Conference runners-up.
9. Plymouth: After sending five boys to state in the previous three seasons, the Big Red didn’t have any representatives in Columbus this year. But they did place eight in the top four at the Firelands Conference meet, including a champ in Noah Robinson. He finished his senior season 40-8 and came within one win of a repeat trip to state.
You must be registered for see images attach
10. Lexington: Senior Owen Reamsnider and sophomore Brandon Reaves led the way for Lex as district qualifiers, with records of 31-14 and 25-11, respectively. Two girls also reached districts with winning records: senior Kyler Lamb (27-14 at 110) and sophomore Leah Van Meter (34-17 at 135).
11. Mansfield Senior: Three Tygers placed in the DI sectional at Avon Lakes: Chase Cole (6th at 144), James Davis (6th at 157) and J’Shawn Johonson (5th at 285).
The team’s Facebook page has nearly 800 followers, so the Tygers certainly have their supporters. One of the most encouraging signs is that the program is just two years removed from Jacob Endicott taking over as head coach in midseason and helping to steer Mekhi Bradley and Leo Hess to state medals.
12.Lucas: The biggest highlight of their season was the Cubs hosting the first annual Damon Mauk Invitational to help mark the 10th anniversary of the program. Senior Rayden Caudill won an individual title and MVP honors that day in his home gym and went on to finish runner-up in the KMAC and third at sectionals. He was 44-9 overall and topped the century mark in career wins, aided by two other titles at Madison and Mapleton.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Wrestling Power Poll: Ashland unseats Ontario as No. 1 in final rankings
Continue reading...
