After finishing 3rd place in the 11 & 12 105-pound bracket at the Area 8 Championship Tournament this past February, Owen Ash began the PJW championships in the round of 64 versus Ayden Picchi of Lake Lehman.

Picchi was on the offensive early, but Ash was able to neutralize the attack with a sprawl and go behind. Utilizing constant pressure, Ash finished the period on top with a 2-0 lead. The second period played out identical to the first period with Ash gathering another 2-point takedown carrying a 4-0 lead to the final stanza. Selecting the top position to start in the third, Ash was able to secure a cradle collecting 3 more back points ultimately winning the match 7-0.

In the Round of 32, Ash squared off with James Hanslovan of St. Marys. Hanslovan went to work quickly after the whistle, securing a takedown and pinfall in 0:17 sending Ash to the consolation round.

In the consolation round, Ash matched up with Dane Papa of Ridgeway. Papa proved to be too much, securing the first period fall, ending a great season for Ash.

Little Knights wrestler Autumn Waite stands in sixth place at 9 & 10 70-pound division of the PJW State Championships. Submitted Photo

“Owen is a great example of a kid that put the work in on the off season and was able to reap the results this year qualifying for the state tournament,” said Head Coach of the Little Knights Kiel Woodburn.

Competing in a loaded 9 & 10 70-pound girls bracket for the Knights was Area 8 Champion Autumn Waite. After receiving a bye in the round of 32 and a forfeit in the round of 16, Waite was finally able to take the mat in the quarterfinals to face Jordyn Greathouse of Titusville.

Waite attacked quickly with a double leg takedown, transitioning to a half-nelson earning three back points but unable to secure the fall. Determined, Waite went back to work utilizing a half nelson, this time she was able to secure a fall at the 0:40 mark punching her ticket to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Waite matched up with 2022 PJW State Champion Aleeya Dreschman.

After a flurry in the opening seconds of the bout, Dreschman was able to get both legs in and apply a power half nelson generating an enormous amount of pressure. In a display of grit and determination Waite held strong as her arm was contorted and finished the 1st period down 2-0. After selecting neutral to start the 2nd period Waite looked as if she was going to score, but Dreschman was able to improve her position and secure a 2nd takedown and 4-0 lead after two periods.

Dreschman selected the bottom position to begin the final period. Waite relentlessly looked for a fall in the third period, coming up short losing a 5-0 decision.

Dropping to the consolation semifinals, Waite faced off against Addison Nardella of Easton. Nardella proved to be too much for Waite securing a 10-3 decision placing Waite in the 5th place match. In the medal round Waite and Quaker Valley’s Bresyln Simmons traded leads early but in the end, Simmons was able to prevail with a close 6-4 decision.

“I know she didn’t accomplish her goal this weekend, but she is already using that as motivation for next year,” remarked Eisenhower Youth Girls Coach Paul Waite.

In the 8 and under girl division, the Little Knights had Temperance Fargo competing in the 90-pound division. With only two other competitors in the division, a round robin format was used to determine the placing.

In the opening round of the tournament Savannah Proffitt of Midd West was able to secure a second period fall over Fargo.

In her second match of the tournament, Fargo was able to use an overwhelming ride resulting in two stalling calls during the second period giving Fargo the 1-0 lead entering the third period. Fargo continued her dominating ride on top to secure the 1-0 win and a second place finish.

Kaylynn Brendlinger qualified for the Knights in the 8 and under 69-pound bracket and after wrestling two competitive matches her season came to an end.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this group of kids,” added Waite. “They came together as a team this year and all accomplished great things.”