Local wrestlers excel at WCAL

Dalton junior Austin Ryder earned his 100th win – with a pin- Wednesday. Jayden Miller, kindergartner, along with a supportive crowd hold up signs. (Photos by Mandy Geiser and Jayden Miller)

Dalton senior Eric Miller

Dalton junior Lucas Oswald

Dalton’s Austin Ryder

Dalton’s Sean Geiser Jan. 30 at the WCAL tournament at Smithville.

By ARIEL STAHLER
Gazette & News sports writer

Dalton’s wrestling program recently experienced success at all levels. The junior high and high school teams faced Fairless and Loudonville in a tri-match Jan. 27 at Fairless. Both of the teams competed well and won the vast majority of contested matches, according to head coach Kenton Lemon.

Another accomplishment of that night was when Austin Ryder became the third Dalton varsity wrestler this year to reach 100 career wins. His win came on a pin against Loudonville, which improved him to a mark of 31-0 on the season to remain undefeated. Ryder is currently ranked No. 2 in the state at Div. III (220 lbs.).

Dalton’s junior high team sent six scoring wrestlers to Smithville Jan. 29 for the junior high WCAL tournament. Dalton finished third overall and returned with four champions: Sam Ediger (104 lbs.), Kaden Russell (142 lbs.), Cohen Riggenbach (205 lbs.) and Seth Ryder (245 lbs.). Jaxon Ryder (116 lbs.) finished in second place. Aiden Pelfrey (160 lbs.) placed third.

Dalton finished second overall as a team Jan. 30 at the WCAL tournament at Smithville. Waynedale placed first and won its 10th straight championship.

Dalton’s champions were junior Tate Geiser, senior Eric Miller and junior Austin Ryder. This was the second WCAL title for all three wrestlers. Freshmen Greyson Siders and Braden Everett both placed second. Freshman Micah Boyer and juniors Branyan Zaleski, Lucas Oswald and Sean Geiser all came in third place. Fourth place went to freshmen Bram McCourt and Gavin Annen.

Read the complete story in the Feb. 3, 2021 edition.