If it’s the middle of February, high school wrestlers are getting ready for their second season … post-season time!

This weekend kicks off sectional tournaments across the Buckeye State, including events at Buckeye Local and Meadowbrook in (D-II); and Barnesville and Jackson in (D-III).

A total of 11 teams will congregate to Connorville Friday and Saturday, while another 11 will head to Byesville. Seventeen teams trek to Barnesville, with a pair of Ohio Valley Athletic Conference schools heading to Jackson High School.

Included in the Buckeye Local sectional, in addition to the host Panthers, are Beaver Local, Claymont, Carrollton, Dover, East Liverpool, Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, New Philadelphia and Steubenville.

Slated to participate at Byesville are Cambridge, Indian Valley, John Glenn, Morgan, River View, Maysville, Meadowbrook, Minerva, Philo, Tri-Valley and West Holmes.

The top 4 finishers in each weight class advance to district tournament action at Claymont High School in Uhrichsville on Feb. 26-27.

At Barnesville, the largest contingent of grapplers will be in Shamrock Land. They include, in addition to the host Shamrocks, Beallsville, Bellaire, Bridgeport, Conotton Valley, Malvern, Martins Ferry, Monroe Central, River, Sandy Valley, Shadyside, St. Clairsville, Steubenville Catholic, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Tuscarawas Valley and Union Local.

Those contending at Jackson include Caldwell and Shenandoah.

Like in D-II, the top 4 finishers in each weight class move on to district action. The D-III district is at Heath High School, just east of Columbus.

A total of 54 individuals from the OVAC are listed on the latest Brakeman Report, Ohio’s high school wrestling power rankings. A total of 30 wrestlers come from D-III, including half-a-dozen each from Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville.

Junior sensation Dominic Prezzia is the top-rated Red Devil as he is ranked No. 8 at 145 pounds. However, Prezzia, a two-time state place-winner, has been wrestling most of the season at 152. Stay tuned!

Other St. C. wrestlers listed include Justin Callarik (103), Michael Yockey (112), Dillon Nolte (119), Seth Callarik (130) and Kenny Nickerson (152).

Scott Kaiser is the Purple Riders’ top-rated wrestler with a No. 12 spot at 152 pounds. Other Martins Ferry grapplers earning a spot on the list are Dominick Driver (140), Mike Rose (145), Ryan Hotlosz (160), Jeff Oberdick (189) and Dalton Leach (215).

Bellaire has four individuals listed, while Shadyside has three.

The Big Reds are led by Sam Faykus (140) who is rated 12th. Others listed are Josh Davis (119), Jesse Dobson (145) and Andrew Crook (160).

Shadyside’s highest-rated individual is Brian Kahl (171) with a 12th-place listing. Also ranked are Alex Quinn (119) and Aaron Silverio (HWT).

Barnesville, Caldwell, River and Union Local all have two wrestlers listed on the report, while Bridgeport, Monroe Central and Union Local all have one each.

The Shamrocks are represented by Kurtis Jefferis (152) and Clay Crosier (112), while the Redskins have Jacob Border (112) and Jason Border (135). Representing the Pilots are Josh Bartrug (103) and Troy Haslam (HWT). The Jets have Mitch Friede (135) and Amos Leach (215).

Bridgeport is represented by Jimmy Gessler (135), while Monroe Central’s Ryan Richter (119), and Shenandoah’s Seth Todd (171) was also listed.

IN D-II, two dozen OVAC grapplers are listed, with Beaver Local recording six and Harrison Central five.

The Beavers also boast the local contingent’s highest-ranked individual as OVAC Tournament titlist Dylan Ice (145) is rated second behind Graham’s Matt Stephens.

The Huskies have a trio of Top 10 individuals, with heavyweight John Eckroth receiving the No. 5 nod. Jake Mallernee (189) is rated sixth, with Doug Eddy (160) earning a No. 9 spot. The other two receiving ratings are Darin Heavilin (103) and Cody Kaiser (171).

Buckeye Local has a pair of rated wrestlers in Cody Wiltshire (125) and Rylan Pyciak (215).

North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderline.com