Eastwood returns 9 lettermen

        Eastwood wrestling returns nine lettermen, including two state qualifiers in sophomore Gavin Owens and juniors Brandon Hahn and Bryce Maynard.
        They are among a group of “good, young talent to go with our upperclassmen,” said coach Joe Wyant.
        Owens, as a freshman last year, was a Division III state runner-up at 106 pounds, finishing the season 47-3. Hahn, as a sophomore, placed fourth at 120 pounds to wrap up a 43-7 season. Maynard qualified as a sophomore at 113 pounds, closing with a 39-13 record.
        Owens also won a Northern Buckeye Conference championship. Hahn was second at the league meet and Maynard third.
        Junior Jimmy Recknagel (42-15 last year) will wrestle at 152 pounds after finishing second in the NBC last year and qualifying for districts.
        As a team last year, the Eagles were 8-4 in dual meets, including 5-2 in the NBC. Sophomore Xavier Escobedo (40-13) was second in the NBC meet and is wrestling at 132 this year. Senior Mason Glaze (38-15), who was third in the league, is wrestling at 138 this year. Senior Ross Beaverson (22-20) was fourth in the NBC and Austen Nissen is wrestling at 220. All nine returning letter winners qualified for district last year.
        As a team, Eastwood was 8-4 overall in dual meets and 5-2 in the NBC. Wyant says his wrestlers “worked hard and did extra in the offseason.” He says he has a “good, solid team that hopes to compete for the championship,” but admits that “the NBC will be very competitive this year with five teams in the race.” A problem for the Eagles will be a “lack of back-ups and (potential) injuries.”
        The Eagles opened the NBC season losing to Lake, 42-30, and defeating Woodmore, 52-24.
        Wyant, who was elected into the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016, has been a wrestling coach at Eastwood for 11 years, including six as an assistant at Eastwood, with an all-time record of 171-64. Previously, he was a coach at Lakota 27 years, including seven as head coach, with an all-time record of 239-91. In 44 years coaching, he has been a part of 16 league championships and four district titles.