State Wrestling Tournament: 14 area wrestlers advance to finals

The end of Eaton 132-pounder Wade Monebrake’s sophomore year was not what he wanted.

A fifth-place finish at the district tournament kept him from making a repeat trip to the state tournament.

Monebrake is making up for lost time.

The junior recorded a takedown and back points in the final five seocnds of his Division II semifinal match for an 8-4 win to advance to state championship match. He’s the first Eaton wrestler to reach the state final since Jake Welch won a title in 1995.

“That sucked because no one’s goal is to be state alternate,” Monebrake said of last season. “I was going to work as hard as I can and I was going to do what I could to win the match.”

Monebrake is one of 14 area wrestlers that will be wrestling for a title Saturday.

However, the biggest news may be who isn’t.

Three time D-III state champ Tommy Hoskins of Legacy Christian Academy was upset 4-2 in overtime by Delta’s Cole Mattin in the semis at 126 while Miami East’s projected state champ Alex Isbrandt was upset in the D-III semis at 138.

Miami East senior Graham Shore continued his dominating state tournament with a not-as-close-as-it-looks 9-3 win to advance to his first title match at 120 in D-III.

“Four years ago, if you would have told me I was going to place once in the state tournament, I would have said maybe,” said Shore, who will become a four-time placer. “I think my nerves were too high when I was younger. Now, I’m just excited.”

Shore will face the same Julian Sanchez of Genoa that derailed his title quest last year with a 4-2 win in the quarters.

“I’ve wanted that match for a year,” Shore said.

The stage is also set for a pair of district final rematches.

Valley View’s Stone Day and Graham’s Gage Braun will square off for the D-II title at 195.

Fairfield’s Zach Shupp and LaSalle’s Dustin Norris will meet for the D-I title at 106.

Shupp beat Norris 4-2 in overtime in the district title match last weekend.

Shupp led Michael Shaw of Olmstead Falls 8-1 before recording the fall at the 5:11 mark.

“Last year, it was a big deal,” Shupp said of making the finals. “This year, I expected to be in the finals and I am expected to win it.”

Graham advanced nine to the finals to build a 130-point lead over CVCA. The Falcons have already clinched their 18th consecutive team title.

Fairmont’s Nevan Snodgrass dropped a 4-2 decision to former state champ – and four time finalist – Jaden Mattix of Central Crossing in the D-I semis at 160.

Chaminade Julienne’s Micah Marshall fell 4-2 in the semis at 145 in D-II while Bellbrook’s Ben Sherrill fell 2-0 at 138.

Southeastern will have its first placer after Jesse Mitchell advanced to the semis in D-III at 160 before falling to Nelsonville-York’s Colt Yingling 14-5.

“I knew I should place,” Mitchell said. “I expected myself to get in the top six.”

Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. Saturday with the consolation semis and consolation finals with a 5:30 p.m. start time for finals.

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