DECEMBER 13, 2014
Covington’s Jarred Ganger and Ryan Ford both earned spots on the podium on Saturday at the Walsh Ironman, a tournament fielding many of the top high school wrestlers in the nation.
Ganger, a returning two-time state champion and three-time state placer, opened the tournament with three straight wins on Friday. He defeated Moises Guillen of Perrysburg, Ohio 5-2 and then earned a 12-4 major decision victory over Matt Oblock of Canon-McMillan, Pennsylvania. Ganger then advanced in the championship bracket with a 6-1 decision win over Jude Mattocks of Saegertown, Pennsylvania.
The Buccaneer senior went into the second day of the tournament with a 7-1 win in the quarterfinals over Johnny Busiello of Wyoming Seminary, Pennsylvania. He then fell to the eventual champion at 132 pounds, Cameron Kelly of Bellbrook, Ohio by the narrow margin of 4-2 and followed with another narrow defeat to Hunter Ladnier of St. Edwards, Ohio 6-3.
Ganger rebounded with an impressive showing in his final bout of the tournament, beating Julian Flores of San Marino, California by the score of 6-4 to take fifth place.
Ryan Ford was equally impressive in his performance at the Ironman as he took 6th at 138 pounds. Ford won his first two matches on Friday, beating Will Versallis of Wyoming Seminary, Pennsylvania by the score of 6-5 and Nate Hagan of Toledo Central Catholic, Ohio by the score of 3-2.
Ford then fell in the quarterfinals to the top seeded wrestler in the tournament, Matthew Kolodzik of Blair Academy, New Jersey, but rebounded to defeat Justin MeMicco of Breckville-Broadview, Ohio by the score of 3-2 and then beating the defeating three-time state champion from Washington, Fred Green by the score of 6-4.
Unfortunately for Ford, he injured his shoulder in the process and had to medical forfeit his final two bouts to finished sixth.
Still, it was an outstanding performance by the two Buccaneer wrestlers and performances that will pay dividends down the line in their quests to be on top of the podium in Columbus this March.
132 – Jarred Ganger’s place is 5th and has 14.00 pts.
Champ. Round 1 – Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 won by decision over Moises Guillen (Perrysburg OH) 3-2 (Dec 5-2)
Champ. Round 2 – Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 won by major decision over Matt Oblock (Canon-McMillan PA) 39-15 (MD 12-4)
Champ. Round 3 – Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 won by decision over Jude Mattocks (Saegertown PA) 1-2 (Dec 6-1)
Quarterfinal – Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 won by decision over Johnny Busiello (Wyoming Seminary PA) 2-2 (Dec 7-1)
Semifinal – Cameron Kelly (Bellbrook OH) 6-0 won by decision over Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Semi – Hunter Ladnier (St. Edward OH) 36-14 won by decision over Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 (Dec 6-3)
5th Place Match – Jarred Ganger (Covington OH) 5-2 won by decision over Julian Flores (San Marino CA) 6-3 (Dec 6-4)
138 – Ryan Ford’s place is 6th and has 11.00 pts.
Champ. Round 2 – Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 won by decision over Will Verallis (Wyoming Seminary PA) 2-2 (Dec 6-5)
Champ. Round 3 – Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 won by decision over Nate Hagan (Toledo Central Catholic OH) 46-13 (Dec 3-2)
Quarterfinal – Matthew Kolodzik (Blair Academy NJ) 8-1 won by major decision over Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 (MD 10-1)
Cons. Round 6 – Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 won by decision over Justin DeMicco (Brecksville-Broadview OH) 33-12 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 7 – Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 won by decision over Fred Green (Orting WA) 5-2 (Dec 6-4)
Cons. Semi – Richie Screptock (Oregon Clay OH) 9-3 won by forfeit over Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 (For.)
5th Place Match – David Carr (Dayton Christian OH) 11-2 won by medical forfeit over Ryan Ford (Covington OH) 4-3 (M. For.)
