ONTARIO — After wrapping up a fourth Mid Ohio Athletic Conference wrestling championship, Cael Gilmore is ready for a final charge to the state tournament.
The 165-pound Highland senior is a three-time state placer, finishing as a runner-up as a sophomore and a third-place finisher last year in Division II.
A state championship is what remains to be won.
“I’m excited and trusting myself,” Gilmore said. “I’ve trained hard. I know I have what it takes to win a state title. It’s enjoying it.”
As he gears up for the final push over the next three weeks, he’ll go about his business as he’s always done.
“No reason to change anything,” he said. “I trust myself. I trust my coaches. I trust everything I’ve done up to this point. It’s all for this.”
Gilmore isn’t alone. All Marion-area wrestlers are getting ready for the next three weeks. Sectionals for boys are Feb. 28 and March 1 for girls. The following weekend are districts, then comes the state tournament at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center March 13 to 15.
“Obviously I’m a little nervous. If you’re not nervous, you’re not afraid. You can’t take anyone for granted,” River Valley’s Drew Goldberg said after winning the 285-pound championship at the MOAC Tournament Feb. 21 at Ontario. “Just keep driving and give it all I’ve got. This is it — senior year. It’s going to be a hard three weeks.”
Marion Harding’s Kile Sentieri is another senior ready to embark on his final postseason.
“I’m just going to continue what I’m doing and get the job done in practice, take my recovery seriously and get enough sleep at night. Just get focused,” Sentieri said of his approach. “It’s years of training, years of practice every day, great coaching, good partners and a good room.”
Like Gilmore, Goldberg and Sentieri, who won the 175-pound MOAC title, Highland’s Hunter Taylor wants to build off his 215-pound league crown.
“I think I’m going to bounce back off this and keep the momentum going,” he said of the postseason.
For Pleasant’s Paxton Hensel, the MOAC winner at 113, this will be a new experience. He’s a freshman.
“It will continue to build my motivation, and I’ll continue to work hard,” he said.
Marion Harding will compete at the Division I Marysville sectional, while Highland will be at Licking Valley and River Valley at Jonathan Alder for D-II sectionals. Ridgedale will host Elgin, Northmor and Pleasant for D-III sectionals, while Cardington, Mount Gilead and North Union will go to Mechanicsburg in Division III.
Girls wrestling sectionals will see Elgin and Pleasant at Marysville, Cardington and Highland at Licking Valley and Marion Harding, River Valley and North Union at Jonathan Alder.
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion-area wrestling seniors ready for final OHSAA postseason push
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
