COLUMBUS — Forty OVAC wrestlers will continue their quest for the gold when the 89th annual Ohio High School Athletic Association’s boys state wrestling tournament gets underway Friday inside Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University.

Nineteen of the local qualifiers are entered in the Division III portion of the three-day spectacle and 15 in Division II. There are also half-a-dozen in the girls tournament.

DIVISION III

Barnesville leads the local contingent with seven qualifiers that helped it to the Eastern District team title for the fifth time in six seasons.

Three Shamrocks won district titles, those being freshman Jaxon Aberegg (120), junior Colt Carpenter (175) and senior Hines Ford (175). Junior Easton Stephen (106) and freshman Ryder King (138) both finished second, while freshmen Hoyt Hartshorn (113) and Bentley Stephen (126) both placed fourth.

“Our team is always under the radar, which it’s the way they like it. They have a quiet way of getting things done and are very talented and hard working,” Barnesville head coach Jayson Stephen said. “These boys are only getting better and ready to show it.”

Easton Stephen is 35-14 this season and won his 100th career match in the district semifinals. He is 100-47.

“Easton is one of our captains,” his coach and father said. “He is a very hard working and is ready for his chance to get it done on the podium.”

Hartshorn has burst onto the scene with a 32-12 mark.

“He is still young, but shows great potential each week to finish strong,” Coach Stephen noted.

Aberegg has made the transition from junior high to varsity look easy with his sparkling 45-5 record.

“Jaxon is another young but talented wrestler that can give anyone a run for their money,” the coach stressed.

Bentley Stephen has compiled a superb 41-13 record in his first varsity season.

“Again, young but experienced and not scared to use any of his weapons to get it done,” his father and coach mentioned.

King has a 37-14 record in a tough weight class.

“Young but very skilled and smooth with his scrambling situations,” Coach Stephen added.

Carpenter is 40-9 on the season and 116-30 for his career. He is now a three-time state qualifier and placed fifth at 138 last year.

“A nother one of our captains and veterans in the state tournament and being on the podium,” Stephen said. “He’s ready to do it again.”

Ford is 45-7 this season and a fantastic 174-47 for his sparkling career. He finished fourth at 175 last winter.

“A captain and leader with a lot of experience,” the coach noted. “Four years competing at the state tournament, as well as being a placer. Looking to finish at the top this year.”

BRIDGEPORT

The Bulldogs will be represented by the junior duo of Cole Weekley (126) and Ax’Zavior Santana (138). Weekley has a career record of 98-30. Weekley placed third at the district and Santana fourth.

“Cole has been consistent throughout the course of the season and his record shows that. He is a leader in and out of the wrestling room, being involved in a lot of extra curricular activities at Bridgeport,” first-year Bridgeport coach and former state-placer Santino Kusic said. “He has won the Coshocton, St. Clairsville, Shadyside, and Bridgeport tournaments this season. He is starting to peak at the right time entering the state tournament, positioning himself to make a run at the podium this weekend.”

Santana has posted a career record of 93-44.

“Ax’Zavior is one of the hardest workers we know in the wrestling room. Despite some early season setbacks, he shows up every day with the intent to get better,” Kusic said. “He’s another guy that is starting to peak at the right time heading into the weekend. Confidence is never a problem with him, as he looks to score his points and wrestle his match. For picking up wrestling as a freshman in high school, he has earned moments like this through his determination and work ethic. He won titles at the Shadyside Last Man Standing and the Sandy Valley sectional.”

BUCKEYE LOCAL

The Panthers have two state qualifiers — sophomore Nathan Dentz (120) and senior Chase Milton (132) — in the same season for the first time since 2005 when Zack Schuller and Willie Saxton advanced, according to Buckeye Local head coach Guy Nestor.

Both Dentz and Milton finished runner-up at the district.

“They both have favorable first round matches and the path to place looks good,” Nestor said..

MARTINS FERRY

The Purple Riders three-person delegation is led by the Brothers Nixon — freshman Jayce (113) and sophomore Colton (138) — who both claimed district titles. The duo has combined for 101-7 this season alone. Senior Tayson Palmer (215) also qualified with a fourth-place district finish.

Jayce is a fantastic 50-1 while Colton, who placed seventh at 126 last winter, is 51-6.

“Jayce has had an outstanding freshman season. He should reach the podium this weekend and if he wrestles the way that he can, he could be wrestling in some big matches Saturday and Sunday,” Martins Ferry head coach Chad Ware said.

“Colton is a returning state placer and has had a great sophomore season,” Ware noted. “He should reach the podium again this year while recording his 100th career win.”

He is currently 97-15.

“Tayson started wrestling as a freshman and has grown immensely over the last four years. He was 6th in the district the last two years and this year finally punched his ticket to the state tournament,” Ware said. “He has been battling a torn ACL this postseason, but has a good chance to reach the podium.”

Palmer is 122-77 for his career.

UNION LOCAL

The Jets have four qualifiers as district champions, including the Brothers Gossett — sophomore Gamble (126) and junior Gunnar (157) — along with junior Kolten Snyder (215). Junior Brody Perzanowski (175) finished third.

Gamble is a two-time OVAC Ron Mauck champion, but an injury prevented him from competing further last winter. He is currently 45-3.

Gunnar finished second in the state at 144 last year, falling in the final seconds. He has won 53 of his 54 matches this season and is seeking a third trip to the podium. He was sixth at 144 as a freshman.

Snyder is now a two-time state qualifier after a bounce-back district tournament. He qualified as a member of the Meadowbrook squad last year and went 1-2 in the state tournament.

Perzanowski is also seeking a third trip to the podium. He was sixth at 157 as a freshman and sixth at 175 last season.

TORONTO

The Red Knight’s Heath Thomas (285) won the district title and is headed to Columbus for the first time. He will carry a very fine 42-3 mark into the state tournament.

DIVISION II

STEUBENVILLE

Big Red’s Logan Crosier (175) earned a district championship at Gallia Academy. The junior is 47-4.

“Landon has a bad taste in his mouth after last year’s state tournament,” Steubenville head coach Lucas Huffman said. “Falling short of his goal of making the podium, Landon has been on a mission all season. I believe his never-quit work mentality will help him reach his goal in this tournament.”

A pair of seniors — Cooper Smith (144) and Beau Hudson (285) finished second in the district. He forfeited his district championship match to keep his previously injured ankle some rest. He is 10-2 and has made the awards podium twice, finishing as a state runnerup last year at 144 and sixth as a sophomore at the same weight.

“This is Cooper’s third trip to the state tournament. This season has been different for Cooper having wrestled in only one tournament prior to the sectional tournament due to an injury,” Huffman noted. “Since he’s been back on the mat, it’s like he hasn’t missed a beat. Winning a state title would be a storybook ending and it’s within reach for him to accomplish that goal.”

Hudson will carry a 40-12 mark to Columbus.

“Last season, Beau had a goal to make it to the state tournament. This season, he is determined to cap off his career by standing on the podium on Sunday night,” Huffman added. “Beau has been continually getting better each year. If he continues to be dominant like he’s been all season, there is no doubt he will reach that goal of a state placer.”

The fourth qualifier is senior Cole Harvey (120).

“This is Cole’s second trip to the state tournament,” Huffman said. “After going two-and-out at last year’s tournament, I think he is poised and determined to get on the podium this year in his final year. He has been solid for our program since he’s been a freshman.”

Huffman is optimistic about his team’s chances.

“Overall as a team — I really don’t focus on how we will finish as a team because if all our

boys go into this tournament and do what they’ve been doing all season, the team thing

will work itself out,” he stressed. “We try to stress that this is just another tournament. We want to focus on the match that is in front of us and not overlook anyone. I know our boys are

prepared, they just have to go let it fly!”

GIRLS

This is the fourth year for the girls tournament.

BARNESVILLE

Freshman Ladyn Hines (115) is 35-4 this season in female competition and has posted a 6-1 record against males. She captured the district title at Mentor High School over the weekend, avenging a loss in the sectional finals.

“Ladyn is strong and hard working. She will wrestle anyone to get better and is looking for that state title,” Coach Stephen said.

Hines won an OVAC title earlier this year. She is the first cousin of Carpenter and Ford.

STEUBENVILLE

Junior Talea Guntrum (135) continued her dominance by winning the district title at Mentor High School. She is already a two-time state champion.

“Talea needs to go into this tournament focused on one match at a time,” Huffman added. “She is looking for her third state title in three years. Everyone will be gunning for her because she is so dominant. If she stays calm and confident as she has all season, I look for her to bring home another state title to Steaubenville.

Jahmiah El-Bey (100) finished fourth in the district. She is 35-12.

“Jahmiah needs to go into this tournament with belief and confidence, “Huffman said. “She has all the ability in the world and has knocked off some of the best girls in the state throughout the season. She has put in the work to get on the podium, but she has to believe in herself.”

The state tournament gets underway Friday afternoon inside Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University. It runs through Sunday night’s championship finals.