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By John Cummings, Contributing Writer 9:50 PM Tuesday, February 7, 2012

It has been close to 21/2 years since Blake LaForce died from acute lymphoblast leukemia. But the former Vandalia Butler High School football standout is still making an impact in the fight against cancer.

Early in the winter sports season, LaForce’s father, Mark, addressed the Vandalia wrestling team and the message resonated with 126-pounder Joe Pittman.

“Blake is still such a big influence at our school,” Pittman said.

Pittman had been wrestling more than opponents. Because of his long hair and regulations in the sport, he had to stuff his hair under a swim cap before matches and hope it didn’t slip during action.

“It was a major toll on me,” said Pittman, who sported a hair cut at the Greater Western Ohio Conference tournament last weekend. “I’m glad it’s gone.”

Pittman donated his hair to Locks of Love. The public non-profit organization provides hairpieces to U.S. and Canadian children under age 21 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss.

“It was definitely a good feeling knowing that it was going to a greater cause,” said Pittman, who plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation.

“This was a way for me to serve my country in some other way.”

Pittman used a late four-point move to upset returning state qualifier Justin Kihn of Fairmont in the GWOC semifinals, before falling to Sidney’s Cody Davis in the final.

New mark: Greenville’s Jon Edwards became more than the school’s first GWOC champ over the weekend. The senior also broke Evan Warner’s mark for career wins, recording his 154th in a 26-9 technical fall over Alec Grant of West Carrollton in the second round.

Edwards, who won the 152 title, enters the sectional with 156 wins, three more than Warner.

Windsor driven: Wayne senior Marcus Windsor wants to make sure he isn’t the lone Warrior at state.

The 120-pounder is looking to continue Wayne’s rejuvenation by loading up his car and taking whoever wants to go to extra training sessions following practice.

“We want to start something new,” Windsor said. “We want to get as many state qualifiers as we can and then get them to place. If we go to state and have success, we will start to get a name again in the state.”

On deck: The Southwestern Buckeye League meet is Friday and Saturday at Bellbrook High School. As usual, a plethora of teams could win including Franklin, Eaton, Valley View, Brookville and Dixie.

The Dayton City League will hold its combined league tournament on Saturday at Western Hills in Cincinnati.

The postseason begins with next week’s sectionals throughout the area.

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