Graham, Mechanicsburg in state dual finals

Graham will return to the Ohio High School Athletic Association state duals to defend its title while Mechanicsburg will make its second consecutive appearance after both won at regionals Wednesday night.

Graham, which has never lost a match in the state dual format, is the defending Division II champ. Mechanicsburg reached the Division III semis in 2015.

The state tournament is Feb. 14 at St. John Arena on the Ohio State University campus.

Mechanicsburg had to go on the road to defend its Region 24 title on Wednesday after hosting the quarters.

The Indians, the top seed in 24-A, opened the semis with a 65-12 win against West Jefferson, winning 12 of 14 matches.

After falling in a 6-0 hole, 113-pounder Tyler Wetzel tied the match for Mechanicsburg with a fall in 1:20. That sparked a 53-0 run to clinch the match.

Mechanicsburg made its way back to the state tournament with a convincing 43-19 win against Coldwater.

The two split the first four matches. Mechanicsburg led 11-10 lead before Nick Miller started a 20-0 run. A pin by two-time state champ Kaleb Romero pushed the lead to 31-10.

Coldwater, the top-seed in 24-B, cut the deficit to 31-19. But Mechanicsburg’s Dylan Hartley and Dylan Hartman closed with pins to secure the state berth.

Graham got to stay home throughout Region 14 action and rolled into Columbus losing just a pair of matches in wins over Wapakoneta and Buckeye Valley.

In its four matches at regionals, Graham out-scored its opponents 315-13.

The Falcons opened with a 75-6 win against Wapakoneta. Graham won the first 10 matches by pin or forfeit before Wapakoneta got on the board at 182 pounds.

Graham won 13 of the 14 weight classes in the 75-3 win over Wapakoneta.

After scoring a perfect 84 points in the first round, the Falcons almost pulled the feat off again in the regional semis.

Graham won the first 13 weight classes with pins, but Buckeye Valley got on the board in the last match.

Pairings for the state tournament will be announced following the voting of a seven-member panel.