Senior Angus Soderberg on the attack. Chris Heermann’18/Media editor

After placing 6th at sectionals and seeing 5 wrestlers advance past the competition, Academy’s wrestling team was eager for its district meet at Heath on Saturday, March 3. The Vikings fought their hardest, but unfortunately, all but one wrestler fell in the tournament.

Because of a conflict with another school commitment, CA only had 4 of its 5 eligible wrestlers compete at the tournament. In a fantastic start to the day, Josh Pearson’18 and Chris Sugar’21 beat their first-round opponents easily. Sugar, however, joined teammates Angus Soderberg’18 and Bobby Diller’19 in the consolation brackets after the quarterfinal round. Diller, competing in the 132 weight class, lost in the first round of his consolation bracket. Soderberg and Sugar fell in the second round of the 126 and 170 weight class consolation brackets, respectively.

Despite the abrupt ends to his teammates’ seasons, Pearson placed a stellar second place overall in the 220 weight class, losing in the finals to Donovan McCollister of Nelsonville-York.

Pearson will be represent the Vikes on Saturday, March 11, in the state championship tournament at Ohio State University.