By ANDREA GALLUCCI

The Press-News

Senior Billy Natale and freshman Sam Groff, both placing third at districts, give the Cardinals a spot in the state tournament for the first time in five years. Luke Lehmiller earned a fifth place finish for an alternate spot in the tournament.

Natale started off the tournament with a 14-4 major decision over Trent Thompson of North Union. He then moved to an 8-3 decision over Dakota Hook of Nelsonville-York in the quarterfinals.

The first loss of the tourney brought to Natale was in the semifinal match. Natale redeemed himself with a 9-8 decision over Marcus Mardis of Newcomerstown, which guaranteed his spot at state. In his final match, Natale pinned Dakota Hook for a third place finish at 140.

Groff started his run off with a 3:40 pin over Fairland's Nathaniel Brewer. He then moved over Cody McGuire of Fredericktown in a 5-2 decision in the quarterfinals. The first loss brought to Groff was a semifinal 3-2 decision against Jake Cochran of West Jefferson.

In the consolation semifinal Groff stepped it up to beat Casey Beatty of Ready by a 4-3 decision for a guaranteed spot in Columbus. He continued on to beat Coltan Joyce of Trimble by a 7-6 decision at 171 in his final match for third place.

Lehmiller started off strong to beat Mark Lepley of Coshocton in a 9-0 major decision and Casey Dressler of Newcomerstown in an 7-0 decision. The semifinal match brought Lehmiller his first loss of the tourney against Zon Fields of Pleasant by a pin. The consolation semifinal took Lehimiller out again, sending him to wrestle for fifth place.

Lehmiller pinned Ben Crabtree of River Valley for his fifth place finish at 103.

Sandy Valley as a team placed eighth overall at districts just points behind Coshocton.

STATE

Natale will face Josh Goebel of Edgerton High School in the first round at 140. Groff will face Xavier Dye of Hamler Patrick Henry in the first round at 171. Both matches are to be wrestled on Thursday (tonight).

Coach John Groff recalls, "After 17 years straight with state qualifiers, from 1988-2004, it has been a long dry spell that we are glad to finally get rid of."

The last time coach Groff had anyone to Columbus was in 2004 where he sent Matt Dauski, Lance Navarra and Mat Gruber. Jessie Groff also got to wrestle at state that year by placing as a state alternate at districts. Navarra was the lone placer with a second place finish.

Back in 2001, Dwayne Dauski was the only other wrestler in school history to earn a spot on the podium as high as second. In 1996, Sandy Valley had two state placers as Doug Duff placed third and Kris Trent finished fifth. Ryan Moyer also took fifth place at state level in 1994.

The state tournament will open this weekend in Columbus on Thursday, March 4, at 3 p.m.

For more information visit www.ohsaa.org.