Boys State Wrestling: Columbia's Bodey Gibbs, Michael Frye among those getting first-round wins

COLUMBUS — Columbia's Bodey Gibbs and Michael Frye were state champions the last time they walked off the mat at The Ohio State University's Schottenstein Center.Friday afternoon they moved a step closer to another title with opening-round wins at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III state tournament. Gibbs, a sophomore who was state champion at 106 pounds a year ago, moved up to 113 this year and easily handled Preble Shawnee freshman Sam Million, winning by technical fall, 16-0, 3:09 into the match. "I got into my attacks and was able to stay in my attacks," said Gibbs, who improved to 38-3. "I felt really good out there, I was able to stay in control of nerves and stay focused. Now, I'm able to come back (today) and go after everything."Gibbs will face Tinora freshman Jaxten DeWeese today in the quarterfinals. While some wrestlers had to wait around for hours as the they were surrounded by 10 mats of action, Gibbs and Frye had the advantage of wrestling early in the second bout of the day on their respective mat. "It feels good to be able to go out, attack, put the opponent down and chill out the rest of day," Gibbs said.Just returning to the Schottenstein Center mat was a victory for Frye, who missed out on the chance to defend his 2024 state title last year when he suffered a season-ending injury just prior to the sectional tournament. Frye had one of the most dramatic opening-round matches Friday, needing a takedown with five seconds left in his 120-pound match for a 4-2 win over Barnesville freshman Jaxon Aberegg. After a scoreless first period, Frye scored first on a second-period escape but gave up a point later in the period on a second stalling call. Aberegg took a 2-1 lead when he escaped from the bottom position to start the third period. "At that point, it just comes down to you worked all year to get here and that's not how you want your first match to go, so I had to go out and get it," Frye said. "There's a lot of pressure if you put it there, but if you keep your composure and keep your mind clear, there's no pressure at all. You've drilled for that moment in the room many times."Frye, a senior, is 38-8 and hoping to end his career with a second state title. "It feels really good to be back, I missed this place," Frye said. "It's crazy, I haven't been here in two years. I'm taking it all in again."Columbia coach Chet Cochrane has watched Frye work all season to get back to Columbus and is excited to see him take the next step to getting back on the podium."For him, getting back here was key," Cochrane said. "Having the injury last year right before sectionals, I'm sure the hunger was fed all summer. He's striving for the best he can do, which is very good."Frye will face Allen East freshman Langston McClain in today's quarterfinals. It was a mixed bag for the area's other D-III teams as Clearview and Black River each had one wrestler advance to the quarterfinals and one fall into the consolation bracket. Clippers sophomore Noah Huston (113) needed a late takedown for a 13-10 win over Mount Gilead's Rocco Castricone. Hudson will face Martins Ferry freshman Jayce Nixon in the quarterfinals. Nixon comes into the match with a 52-1 record. Clippers senior Kameron Williams (138) bowed out of the event with a pair of opening-day losses. Black River senior Mason Koberna is on his way to the quarterfinals after a 15-7 major decision over Bishop Ready senior Bobby Kapala in the opening round. Pirates junior Kayden Hendershot (165) went 0-for-2 on the day to end his season.Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.