By Cort Reynolds
Ada senior Chase Sumner won his first round match in the 145 lbs. bracket at the 81st annual state wrestling Div. III meet Thursday at the Schottenstein Center on the Ohio State University campus.
Sumner entered his third straight state competition late Thursday afternoon in Columbus.
In the first round of the double-elimination event, Sumner narrowly decisioned senior Nate Vasquez of Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic, 4-3.
The victory advanced Sumner to the quarterfinals Friday at approximately 10 a.m.
In that quarterfinal, Sumner will face senior Conan Becker of Galion Northmor, who is 51-2 this season. Becker won his first round state match by technical fall 16-1 over junior Beau Lefever of Ashland Mapleton.
If he defeats Becker, Sumner will advance to the semifinals Friday at approximately 6:30 p.m. If he loses, the Bulldog will fall into the consolation quarterfinal round Friday night.
Sumner needs one more victory at state to reach his pre-season goal of 150 career wins. With a 33-3 record this year, he is the career Bulldog wrestling program leader in individual wins with 149.
Sumner came in fourth, the best Ada finish ever, at the 2016 state event in the 132 lb. bracket.
Chase then moved up to the 138 lb. class last year and finished eighth at the state meet after suffering an ankle injury in the consolation quarterfinals.
