SIDNEY — Tri-County North wrestler Tyler Gray advanced to the district meet after placing fourth in the 195-pound weight class during the Division III Sectional Tournament at Sidney Lehman Catholic High School on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20.
Gray, a first year wrestler and a junior, earned his way to the third place round by pinning his first opponent in 1:09 before losing to a wrestler from Versailles in the semifinals. The loss sent him to the consolation bracket, where he pinned his opponent in the third period.
In the match-up for third place, he lost a closely contested contest 4-3, earning him a fourth place final and a trip to the district tournament.
“Tyler improved throughout the year and his efforts show that. He wrestled well throughout the weekend and was able to find a spot in the district line up,” said North head coach Brad Statzer.
He was the only North wrestler to place on the day but the Panthers managed to earn 15th overall out of 21 teams.
“The rest of (our team) earned valuable experience and now know what it is going to take to advance in future years. We missed out on winnable matches, coming up short, but that doesn’t mean the kids didn’t fight or learn from the experience of wrestling at sectionals,” said Statzer. “Being able to fill nine out of the 14 weight classes at the end of the season and come away with one district placer shows that, in my opinion, our sectional is one of the toughest in the state.”
Gray will compete in the Division III District Tournament in Troy at Hobart Arena on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26-27. Matches begin Friday at 3 p.m.
