Not since Shadyside’s Alex Quinn stood high atop the awards podium in 2013 as an Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling champion had The Times Leader coverage area recorded another state titlist.

Buckeye Local’s Brian Palmer Jr. ended eight years of frustration recently when he duplicated Quinn’s Division III state championship at 152 pounds. The Buckeye Local senior achieved his goal with a 5-1 decision over Dalton junior Tate Geisler inside a COVID-restricted gymnasium at Marion Harding High School.

With his accomplishment, Palmer Sr. serves as the captain of the 2021 all-Times Leader Wrestling Team, which is announced today.

The 14-member squad — representing four schools — all earned the distinction by qualifying for the 84th annual Ohio state tournament.

A brief capsule of each honoree follows:

PALMER, JR. — A 4-time state qualifier and three-time state placer (the 2020 tournament was canceled), Palmer Jr. became the fourth state champion in Buckeye Local history. He joined Joe Cominsky (1995–215 lbs.), David Bertolino (2003–160) and Willie Saxton (2006–130), who all won titles at the Division II level.

He placed sixth at 120 as a freshman before moving up to third as a sophomore at 132. He was a district runnerup in 2020 and was 43-3 heading into the state tournament.

Palmer Jr. became the Panthers all-time leader in career victories. He surpassed the previous mark held by Saxton, who was his head coach for the first three years. He was 46-1 this season.

“Brian came into the season with a mission in mind. He worked very hard this season and it all paid off when he achieved his goal,” first-year Buckeye Local head coach Guy Nestor said. “He ran after practice. He ran on Sundays. He did the little things that most kids don’t. That’s why he was a state champion.”

This is the fourth time Palmer Jr. has made the all-Times Leader squad.

KOEN KISH, St. Clairsville — A 4-year letterman, Kish finished second on the Red Devils all-time win list with 173 victories and finished third at 132 pounds this season in the Division II state tournament at Marengo Highland High School. He only trails Michael Furbee’s 178 wins.

“Koen had an excellent career. He will truly be missed,” St. Clairsville head coach Joel Sansone said. “He was a role model, not only for our younger kids on the high school team, but for kids in our junior high and youth programs.”

Kish, who was 41-3 this season, has signed with NCAA Division I Clarion. He was an Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Ron Mauck Tournament champion as a junior when he won sectional and district titles.

REESE SKAGGS, St. Clairsville — Another 4-year letterwinner for Sansone, Skaggs placed fifth in the state at 220. He was 36-5 this season and finished with 136 career wins.

“Reese is just like Koen,” Sansone added. “He was a great role model and led by example. He will truly be missed, as well.”

Skaggs, who will play football at Concord next fall, was also a first team all-state defensive end for the Red Devils.

Like Kish, Skaggs also won an OVAC Ron Mauck title as a junior. He was a sectional and district champion this season.

CADEN STOUT, St. Clairsville — Only a junior, Stout is already a 3-time letterman and has qualified for the state tournament all three seasons.

Stout went 36-9 this season, including a 1-2 performance at the state tournament. He has amassed 122 career victories.

“Caden was in a very tough weight class this season,” Sansone said. “Be battled all year long and posted some big wins along the way. We’re looking for big things from him his senior season.”

Stout was a sectional and district runnerup this year.

GANNON KAZMIRSKI, St. Clairsville — This junior had a strong season at 106 pounds that resulted in him qualifying for the state tournament with a third-place finish in the district tournament at Gallia Academy. He finished the season with 33 wins and has 91 for his career.

“Gannon is extremely talented. Anything is possible with him,” Sansone said. “We are also looking for him to have a big season next year.”

DYLAN WARD, Martins Ferry — From third place in the sectional tournament to a district tournament runnerup at 106 pounds. That’s the path this Purple Riders sophomore took to reach his first Division III state tournament.

He finished the season 28-14 after going 1-2 in his maiden voyage to the state tournament.

“Dylan wrestled his best towards the end of the season. For him to make it to the state tournament and win a match is quite an accomplishment,” Martins Ferry head coach Chad Wade said. “We’re looking forward to two more years with Dylan.”

KAMERON HUGHES, Martins Ferry — A 4-year letterman for Ware, Hughes wrapped up his career with an eighth-place finish at the state tournament. It was his third state tournament appearance.

“Kameron lost his first match in the state tournament, but he continued to battle and did enough to get on the podium,” Ware said. “He had a great career for us. He was a great leader and will truly be missed.”

Hughes was 37-11 this season and had more than 100 wins for his career.

ZAK DOBSON, Martins Ferry — This junior lost early in the season but reeled off 30 consecutive victories before falling in the district finals. He bounced back with two wins in the consolation bracket to finish third and punch his first state ticket.

He went 1-2 at the state tournament to finish 37-4.

“Zak lost a tough match in the district semifinals that would have given him a better draw at the state, but he had a really good season,” Ware noted. “We’re looking for big things from him as a senior.”

REESE STEPHEN, Barnesville — This Shamrocks freshman burst onto the high school scene, going 42-5 and placing fifth in the Division III state tournament at 106 pounds. He was a sectional and district tournament titlist, as well.

“Reese had a good season for a freshman. His weight class was pretty tough,” his father/head coach Jayson Stephen said. “He got hurt in that semifinal (loss) but should have placed third.”

At the state tournament, Stephen defeated Miami East senior Olivia Shore twice. Shore became the first female to ever place at the state level.

DAKOTA KING, Barnesville — Another one of the Shamrocks rising stars, King also placed sixth at 113 pounds. He was 46-5 this season, also claiming sectional and district crowns along the way.

“The future is bright for Dakota,” coach Stephen allowed. “He is a very aggressive wrestler. He had a couple tough matches at state that could’ve went either way.”

He also won sectional and district titles.

GRIFFEN STEPHEN, Barnesville — This junior was the elder statesman of the Young Guns. Stephen qualified for the state tournament at 120 pounds. It marked the third time he has done so, going at 106 and 113 in his previous two seasons.

“I don’t know what it is about the state tournament?” coach Stephen wondered. “He had a very good season.”

Stephen went 39-5, winning sectional and district titles for the third time in his career.

SKYLER KING, Barnesville — The third freshman phenom also prevailed in his 126-pound sectional and district championship matches. He won his first match at the state tournament, finishing the season at 33-10.

“Skyler had a really good season as a freshman,” coach Stephen said. “He is only going to get better and better as time goes on.”

LOGAN TAGUE, Barnesville — This sophomore made his transfer from Meadowbrook a good switch as he won sectional and district championships at 132 pounds. However, his first trip to the state tournament ended at 0-2. He was 34-11.

“We knew what Logan could do from seeing him compete as a freshman,” coach Stephen noted. “I can’t say he was a surprise, but he was a pleasant surprise.”

Tague was a Division II district qualifier in 2020.

CAMERON WOODS, Barnesville — This Shamrocks senior finally got over the hump of being a state alternate. He made the most of his opportunity and took sixth at 160 pounds.

“Of all the kids, I’m most proud of Cameron,” coach Stephen admitted. “He came so close twice as a sophomore and junior, and then to qualify and get to the podium as a senior is great for him.”

The 4-year letterman, Woods, a sectional champion who finished third in the district, was 44-10 this season. He mad more than 100 career victories.