By Cort Reynolds
Four Ada High School wrestlers competed in the Div. III sectional tournament at Lima Central Catholic on February 26.
Bulldog sophomore Clayton McClain was seeded second and took third place in the 126 lbs. bracket. He posted a 3-1 record to advance to the next round of competition.
The top four in each weight class qualify for the district meet.
McClain won his first match by pin at 2:47, then lost a second round decision by a 14-6 count. He rebounded to win a 13-3 decision in the consolation semifinals.
In the third-place match, he edged Coldwater's Tanner Stammen 2-1. McClain is now 26-9 this season.
Ada freshman Liam Vieira was seeded fourth at the 120 lbs. bracket. He finished 2-2 to end his season record at 25-11.
Vieira won his first match 17-1, but was then pinned by eventual division champion Gavin Caprella of LCC in the semifinals.
In the consolation bracket semis, he lost by pin at 2:39. In the fifth-place match, Vieira pinned Crestview's Rex Gerardot at 2:04 to finish fifth.
Freshman Rowan West was seeded fourth at 132 lbs., but went 0-2 to end up 18-16 this season.
Freshman Colton Cole also lost his first two matches in the 165 lbs. class bracket to conclude his campaign 8-21.
The Bulldogs finished 13th in the 14-team event. Allen East won the sectional championship with 192 points. Spencerville edged Wayne Trace for second place by a half-point, 150-149.5. Ada scored 25.5 points.
Div. III Sectional wrestling team results:
1. Allen East 192 points
2. Spencerville 150
3. Wayne Trace 149.5
4. Coldwater 143.5
5. Columbus Grove 129
6. Parkway 89.5
7. Bath 78.5
8. Lincolnview 61
9. Crestview 59.5
10. Delphos Jefferson 58
11. Kenton 57
12. LCC 37
13. Ada 25.5
14. Delphos St. John's 20
McClain competes next at the Troy district competition March 4-5.
