MARCH 13, 2021 - MARION
Three of the four Buccaneer wrestlers who qualified for the state wrestling tournament secured spots on the podium after one day of wrestling at Marion Harding High School in Marion, Ohio.

Buccaneer freshman Michael Hagan (43-3) started the Buccaneers off with a dominant 7-3 victory over Caiden Heller (28-2) of Waynedale. After surrendering an early takedown, Hagan outscored his opponent 7-1 the rest of the way on a reversal, an escape and a pair of takedowns of his own.

Hagan then dropped his next bout to Max Hermes (53-4) of Milan Edison, but rebounded in the consolation round with a 6-1 victory over Dylan Ward (28-14) of Martins Ferry. The victory secured Hagan’s first state medal of his high school career as he hopes to finish as high as third place at 106 pounds.

Next up for Michael is a showdown with Miami East’s Olivia Shore (17-3), who became the first ever female to place in the state wrestling meet.

Kellan Anderson (37-6) found the going rough in his opening match at state as he dropped a 7-0 decision to Alec Homan (36-2) of Monroeville. But the Buccaneer senior responded in grand fashion by recording a 15-0 technical fall win over Brock Wygle of Utica.

Looking to secure his second state medal of his prestigious career, Anderson wasn’t to be denied in a dominant 8-2 win over the champion from the Coshocton District, Skyler King of Barnesville (33-10). Anderson waisted little time taking control of the match with a quick takedown and then opened the second period with a reversal and two back points to take a commanding 6-0 lead. He picked up two more back points in the closing period to secure the win.

Next for Anderson is Hayden Kuhn (41-4) of Ashland Crestview.

Fulfilling his goal of becoming a three-time state placer, Cael Vanderhorst also rebounded from an early setback.

Vanderhorst (51-2) was leading Brodie Dominque (40-3) of Archbold 3-1 late in the second period before surrounding a reversal and two back points. Then, after several attempts to turn his opponent in the third, Vanderhorst was forced to surrender an escape. Unfortunately the Buccaneer senior couldn’t hit the big move and dropped into the consolation bracket with the 6-3 defeat.

But, as he has done all throughout his career, Vanderhorst rebounded quickly to defeat Greyson Siders (25-14) of Dalton by the score of 4-1 and followed with a dominating 4:03 pin of Aiden Aiello (25-3) of Ready to secure a spot on the state podium for the third time.

Next for Vanderhorst is Kaden Blair (41-10) of Fairview.

Buccaneer senior Trentin Alexander took to the mat in the afternoon session and found himself with a stiff challenge against Sevi Garza (37-0) of Rittman.

And Alexander was wrestling extremely well, trailing the unbeaten wrestler by one point 2-1 midway through the second period. Unfortunately, in the process of defending a takedown attempt by Garza, Alexander injured his leg and in the process was pinned by Garza with 55 seconds left in the frame.

Alexander spent much of the next hour in the training room to determine if he would be able to wrestle in the consolation round, a demand he was granted through persistence.

And despite being less than 100%, the Buccaneer senior left it all on the mat in what turned out to be the final match of his high school career against Kameron Hughes (36-9) of Martins Ferry.

Neither wrestler could score in the opening frame, but Alexander took a 1-0 lead with an escape to open the second - a lead he would maintain going into the third period.

Hughes tied the score with an escape to start the final two minutes and then recorded a takedown to claim a 3-1 lead.

Alexander cut the margin to 3-2 with an escape of his own and then converted on a throw in an attempt at victory. Unfortunately the clock was a tick too fast as the Buccaneer wrestler ran out of time in finishing the winning maneuver.

Still, it was a magical run for Trentin Alexander as he concluded his senior season as a state qualifier with a 39-9 record.

The three remaining Buccaneer wrestlers will continue in their quest to climb the podium beginning tomorrow morning at 10am.