Three Wrestlers Secure Spots at Ohio State Championship

Three local wrestlers have qualified for the highly anticipated Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament. The athletes—Nate Sloan from the Ironton Fighting Tigers, Bryce Myers of the Chesapeake Panthers, and Enoch Patterson representing the Symmes Valley Vikings—secured their spots following strong performances at the Division III Southeast-East District tournament held over the weekend.

At this tournament, all three wrestlers placed in the top four of their respective weight classes, demonstrating significant skill and determination. This marks a notable achievement, particularly for Patterson, who is concluding a remarkable inaugural season for Symmes Valley.

Nate Sloan is making a return to the state tournament after finishing fourth in the 132-pound weight division last year. This weekend, he began the district meet with an impressive 23-6 technical fall victory over Jakob Kreptowski of Harrison Central. Although he faced a setback in the quarterfinals, losing 7-0 to Cooper Schlegel of Marion Elgin, Sloan bounced back with a 5-0 technical fall win over Chris Adamik of Newcomerstown. He followed this up with a hard-fought 10-7 decision against Raiden Boney of Nelsonville-York, securing a chance to compete for third place. Despite a 14-8 defeat to Owen Simpson of Sandy Valley, Sloan’s fourth-place finish was enough to earn him a spot at the state level.

Patterson’s journey has been particularly impressive, as he placed second in the 165-pound division after a series of tightly contested matches. He began his tournament with a strong 18-10 major decision win over Tre Smith of Madison Plains. In the quarterfinals, he edged out Richard Welshans of Martins Ferry with a narrow 17-16 decision. Patterson continued to showcase his tenacity in the semifinals, winning 6-5 against David Warner of Adena. Although he fell short in the championship match, losing 10-9 to Carson Campbell of Northmor, his second-place finish secured his qualification for the state tournament.

Meanwhile, Bryce Myers also demonstrated remarkable resilience. Competing in the 106-pound division, he started his tournament with a pinfall victory over Mason England at 3:40. However, he encountered a tough opponent in the quarterfinals, losing 9-7 to Easton Stephen of Barnesville. Myers rebounded in the consolation rounds, pinning Wyatt Paisley of Coshocton in just 1:23. He then faced Owen Hatfield of Ridgewood, achieving another pin at 4:32 to reach the third-place match. Despite a loss by technical fall to Bryce Brooks of Garaway, Myers’ performance earned him fourth place and a trip to the state competition.

The annual state tournament is set to take place from March 13 to 15, 2026, at the Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University. This event not only highlights the talent of the athletes but also brings together fans and families, celebrating high school wrestling across the state. The achievements of Sloan, Myers, and Patterson reflect the dedication and hard work of these young athletes, making their communities proud as they head to the prestigious state tournament.