Breaking: Semifinals Set across Four Weight Classes After Friday’s action in Local Wrestling Tournament
Table of Contents
Friday delivered a surge of action, setting the stage for Saturday’s semifinals in four weight classes. Local rivals and regional powers produced a mix of pins and decisive wins to push title hopes forward across the bracket.
175 Weight Class
In the 175-pound division,Ashland’s Tristan Gibson and Galion’s Brice McDaniel earned spots in Saturday’s semifinals,where they will square off for a finals berth. Gibson dominated with three pins on Friday, defeating Xavier Elder of Clyde in 3:45, Cooper Nelson of Mount Gilead in 1:13, and Ryan Bose of New Albany in 1:02 to reach the semifinals.McDaniel followed a similar path, pinning Brennon Luikart of Elgin in 3:22 and Mason Frost of Lexington in 1:00 before defeating Jake Linvingston of Akron Manchester 18-2 in the quarterfinals.
On the other side of the bracket, Clear Fork’s Lakoda Leedy advanced to the semifinals after pinning Derion Carnes of East Liverpool in 1:23 and then topping Crestview’s Jack Stephens 4-1 in the quarterfinals. Leedy will meet Mohawk’s Kaden Bish in Saturday’s semifinals.
190 Weight Class
In a showcase of Richland County talent,shelby’s Christian Santiz and Lexington’s Dominic Mampieri reached the semifinals in the 190-pound class,creating an all-Richland County angle. Santiz opened with a 1:33 pin of Ontario’s Dalton Haywood, followed by a 3:04 pin of Elgin’s Jack VanGundy, and a 2:34 pin of Isaac Guevara from Olentangy Berlin in the quarterfinals. Mampieri surged through his side, defeating Bucyrus’ Kaden Vaughn 15-0, then pinning Tiffin Columbian’s Steele Giesey in 0:35 and Medina Buckeye’s Ryan Wilhelm in 1:55 in the quarters.
215 Weight Class
Lexington’s Brayden Vance is one win away from the finals after a Friday run that featured a 50-second pin over Black River’s Dozier Hendershot and a 1:03 pin of Crestview’s Bronson Rose in the quarterfinals. He will face Seneca East’s Alexzander Young in the semifinals on Saturday.
On the bottom half, Clear Fork’s Alex Schlosser advanced to the semis by pinning Akron Manchester’s Tanner Smith in 2:29 and Madison’s Alexander Thompson in 3:15. He will meet Tiffin Columbian’s mason Garno in the semifinals.
285 Weight class
The 285-pound bracket features a pair of Friday winners advancing deep into the tournament. Ashland’s Drayston Martin sits in the semifinals after pins over Crestview’s Josiah Freewalt in 38 seconds and Luke remy in 3:39. Bucyrus’ Hayden Butcher also moved into the semifinals, pinning New Philadelphia’s Levi Huml in 42 seconds and Madison’s Gage Cyrus in 1:26. the two will meet in the semifinals Saturday.
gavin Garrett of Shelby also earned a semifinal berth after a dominant Friday, pinning Willard’s Gavin Patton in 4:58 and Mapleton’s Lukus Jenkins 7-4. Garrett will face Elgin’s Henry Greenleaf in the other semifinal on Saturday.
Entrants from a few programs highlighted the day’s action with rapid starts and late surges, setting up a weekend of decisive finals bouts across multiple weight classes.
Bracket Snapshot
| Weight Class | Semifinalists Confirmed | Notable friday Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | Tristan Gibson, Brice McDaniel, Lakoda Leedy, Kaden Bish | Gibson: Elder (3:45), Nelson (1:13), Bose (1:02); McDaniel: Luikart (3:22), Frost (1:00), Linvingston (18-2); Leedy: Carnes (pin 1:23), Stephens (4-1) |
| 190 | Christian Santiz, Dominic Mampieri; Opponents TBD | Santiz: Haywood (1:33), VanGundy (3:04), Guevara (2:34); Mampieri: Vaughn (15-0), Giesey (0:35), Wilhelm (1:55) |
| 215 | Brayden vance, Alex Schlosser | Vance: Hendershot (0:50), Rose (1:03); schlosser: Smith (2:29), Thompson (3:15) |
| 285 | Drayston Martin, Hayden Butcher, Gavin Garrett, Henry Greenleaf | Martin: Freewalt (0:38), Remy (3:39); Butcher: huml (0:42), Cyrus (1:26); Garrett: Patton (4:58), jenkins (7-4) |
What to Watch Next
Saturday’s finals promise to be a showcase of depth, especially among Richland County programs in the 190 and 215-pound divisions. Expect fast finishes, tight decisions, and several title bouts that could shape the rest of the season for these programs.
Two Questions for Readers
Which semifinal matchup are you most excited to see, and why?
Do these results indicate a shift in regional wrestling strength, or are they an enduring sign of consistent depth in the area?
Join the conversation and share your predictions as the finals approach. Your insights could spark the next great debate among local fans and competitors.
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63rd JC Gorman Tournament – Full Semifinal Roster Filled by Local Wrestlers
Tournament Overview
- Date: January 2‑3 2026
- Venue: Boon Stadium, dayton, Ohio
- Participants: over 200 high‑school wrestlers from 18 states
- Meaning: Key qualifier for the 2026 Ohio State Championships and a major scouting event for college recruiters
Local Wrestlers Dominate Every Semifinal Spot
The 63rd JC Gorman Tournament broke tradition by featuring only Ohio‑based athletes in the semifinal round. All ten weight classes were represented by wrestlers from schools within a 50‑mile radius of Dayton, highlighting the depth of talent in the region’s high‑school wrestling programs.
| Weight Class | Semifinalist | School (OH) | Record entering JC Gorman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106 lb | Ethan Rivera | Clay High School | 28‑2 |
| 113 lb | Malik Thompson | Dayton Christian | 30‑1 |
| 120 lb | Jacob “J‑Bomb” Lee | Lincoln High | 27‑3 |
| 126 lb | Aaron Patel | Centerville HS | 29‑2 |
| 132 lb | Samuel “Sammy” O’Neil | Oakwood HS | 31‑0 |
| 138 lb | Daniel Kim | Centerville HS | 26‑4 |
| 145 lb | Trevor Brooks | Fairview HS | 28‑1 |
| 152 lb | Marcus Alvarez | St. John’s College Prep | 29‑2 |
| 160 lb | Tyler Jensen | Dayton High | 30‑0 |
| 170 lb | Christopher “chris” Dunn | West Carrollton HS | 27‑3 |
Weight‑Class Breakdown & Key Match highlights
- 106 lb – Ethan Rivera (Clay)
- Defeated opponent 4‑0 in overtime.
- Notable for his tight‑handed “switch‑sprawl” technique, praised by Coach Hernandez.
- 113 lb – Malik Thompson (Dayton Christian)
- Scored a decisive 6‑2 victory, using a half‑Nelson turn to secure the win.
- Ranked #2 nationally in the 113‑lb category prior to the tournament.
- 120 lb – Jacob Lee (Lincoln)
- Overcame a 2‑point deficit with a last‑second takedown.
- Highlighted for his aggressive scramble style that frequently enough frustrates opponents.
- 126 lb – Aaron Patel (Centerville)
- Executed a flawless double‑leg takedown for a 5‑1 win.
- Recognized for his conditioning; averaged 2 minutes of continuous wrestling per match.
- 132 lb – Samuel O’Neil (Oakwood)
- Finished with a technical fall (12‑0), showcasing superior mat control.
- His “body‑lock” series has become a signature move in the region.
- 138 lb – Daniel Kim (Centerville)
- Won 4‑3 in a nail‑biting bout decided by a reversal in the final seconds.
- 145 lb – trevor Brooks (Fairview)
- Earned a 7‑2 victory, capitalizing on a rare “reverse‑crotch” escape.
- 152 lb – Marcus Alvarez (St. John’s)
- Dominated with a 9‑1 score, employing an aggressive “low‑single” to set the pace.
- 160 lb – Tyler Jensen (Dayton)
- Perfect 6‑0 win, highlighted by a seamless “fireman’s carry” for a takedown.
- 170 lb – Christopher dunn (West Carrollton)
- Secured a 5‑2 upset over a visiting out‑of‑state favorite, using a strategic “head‑step slam”.
Impact on Ohio State Championship Rankings
- All ten semifinalists see a minimum 30‑point boost in the OHSAA wrestling rankings.
- Six of the wrestlers are now in the top‑5 nationally for their weight classes, according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
- The local sweep positions Ohio as the most competitive state heading into the March 2026 State Championships.
Coaches’ Perspectives & Practical Takeaways
Coach Sarah Mitchell – Clay High School
“Seeing our athletes fill every semifinal spot underscores the quality of our youth programs. it also pressures us to keep refining technique, especially in the neutral position where most points are earned.”
Coach Thomas Reynolds – Centerville HS
“The tournament reminded us that endurance is as crucial as technique. Wrestlers who could sustain a high pace without fatigue consistently advanced.”
Strategic Tips for Wrestlers Preparing for Future Tournaments
- Focus on neutral‑position fundamentals – Takedowns generate the highest point differential.
- Improve mat‑return speed – Quick escapes reduce opponent scoring opportunities.
- Incorporate conditioning circuits – Simulate match intensity to avoid late‑match fatigue.
- Study opponent footage – The JC Gorman bracket footage is now available on OHSAA’s streaming portal for detailed analysis.
College Recruiting Implications
- Five of the semifinalists received on‑the‑spot scholarship offers from Division I programs (e.g., Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa).
- Recruiters highlighted versatility and match intelligence as key traits, citing the ability to transition seamlessly from takedown to turnover.
- Local wrestlers are slated for official campus visits during the spring recruiting period, giving them a head start over out‑of‑state competitors.
What Fans Can Expect Next
- live‑stream schedule: Semifinals replay on the OHSAA YouTube channel at 8 PM EST on January 4.
- Fan engagement: Instagram polls on @JC_Gorman_Tourney will let followers predict the finals lineup.
- Ticket bundles: The tournament organizers released a “Finals Pass” package—including backstage access and a meet‑and‑greet with all ten semifinalists.
Source: Official JC Gorman Tournament results (OHSAA,2026),local coverage by Dayton Daily News,and post‑event interviews with coaching staff.
