Wrestling: A special night for Columbia and Ray Anthony

COLUMBIA STATION — Columbia honored a man who meant so much to the community and its wrestling program in more ways than one Thursday evening.On the night the Raiders named their gym after Ray Anthony, the boys and girls wrestling teams went out and secured dominant dual wins. The boys defeated Fairview 53-30 while the girls defeated a combined team of Olmsted Falls and Valley Forge 36-17.The teams paused halfway through to surprise Anthony — who has served the community's fire department for 50 years, including the last 38 as its chief — by naming the gym in his honor. Columbia Superintendent Graig Bansek also proclaimed Feb. 12 Ray Anthony day. "I just don't have any words to say about the appreciation everyone showed tonight," Anthony said. "It's a phenomenal feeling. My whole family is here. I try to help out. I just love the sport of wrestling. It was a way to give back to this community. It's a great school with great people and I just believe in giving back."Anthony wrestled for Columbia all four years in high school, then served as a coach with the program for a few years and also is a wrestling official. He then became the director for the Columbia Invitational and also serves as the director for the Columbia Girls Invitational.Bansek said during the ceremony that Anthony embodies the "Raider Way" for his lifelong dedication to the community. Anthony received the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio's 2025 Hero Award on Oct. 9 for his work in organizing multiple blood donations each year. "The school district did a fantastic job honoring Ray," Columbia girls wrestling coach Marti Belfi said. "When I wrestled here 35 years ago, Ray would come in here and explain rules to us and stuff. He really has been an ambassador to our sport and an ambassador to our community for more than 50 years. To be able to be part of doing this for him is a great honor for everyone who was in that gym with him tonight."As for the wrestling, both Raiders teams breezed to their wins. The boys got pins from Michael Frye (126), Tanner Cochrane (132), Brent Friscone (138), Kolton Higgs (175) and A.J. Lamb (285) while Bodey Gibbs secured a technical fall at 120. Fairview benefited from two forfeits and secured three pins."Tonight was a special night," Columbia coach Chet Cochrane said. "Seniors got their recognition, boys and girls, and then awarding the gym to Ray Anthony. It was a great night to be celebrating. Right now we're focused on the postseason. We have one more dual next week, trying to get one more big match, and just staying healthy for the postseason."The girls wrestled nine bouts, and the six wins were pins from Piper Erman (110), Claire Ondrejko (125), Youstina Hanna (140), Gabby Grace (145), Caitlyn Demagall (155) and Jasmine Razo (170).Olmsted Falls secured two pins, wrestling in four bouts, while Valley Forge tallied one pin in its five bouts."The seniors showed up and did what they've been doing for four years," Belfi said. "The younger girls have showed improvement and growth. That's really the most I can ask for. I really think we're peaking at the right time. We have a few things to tighten up, but physically I think the girls have looked as good now as they have at any point in the season."Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.BoysColumbia 53, Fairview 30106 — Landon Strandahl (F) pin Mason Mescan, 0:40. 113 — Rowyn Bem (C), by forfeit. 120 — Bodey Gibbs (C) tech. fall Daniel Davis, 18-1. 126 — Michael Frye (C) pin Ian Bodman, 2:56. 132 — Tanner Cochrane (C) pin Graham Hewitt, 0:44. 138 — Brent Friscone (C) pin Ashton Adams, 2:14. 144 — Andrew Sorenson (C), by forfeit. 150 — Brendan Leitch (C), by forfeit. 157 — Colin Kay (F) pin Domenic Demagall, 2:57. 165 — Jackson Habbyshaw (F), by forfeit. 175 — Kolton Higgs (C) pin George McAleer, 2:43. 190 — Henry McAleer (F) pin Chase Dennison, 1:36. 215 — Russell Bumgardner (F), by forfeit. 285 — A.J. Lamb (C) pin Cayden Polk, 1:35.GirlsColumbia 36, Olmsted Falls-Valley Forge 17100 — Double forfeit. 105 — Double forfeit. 110 — Piper Erman (C) pin Bea Hassel (OF), 1:15. 115 — Double forfeit. 120 — Kim Heise (OF) pin Jianna Gray, 2:33. 125 — Claire Ondrejko (C) pin Jade Krzywkowski (VF). 0:36. 130 — Evana Borden (OF) pin Sophia Juliani, 1:50. 135 — Double forfeit. 140 — Youstina Hanna (C) pin Mya Saleh (OF), 0:56. 145 — Gabby Grace (C) pin Nia Blain (OF), 1:45. 155 — Caitlyn Demagall (C) pin Johanna Torres (VF), 2:25. 170 — Jasmine Razo (C) pin Paulina Ruccio (VF), 1:05. 190 — Double forfeit. 235 — Hadeel Abuqbitta (VF) tech. fall Alyssa Keener, 18-2.