Lewandowski has flipped that mark as a senior. He improved to 36-4 after winning the Division II sectional tournament in the 138-pound weight class at Clinton-Massie High School on Saturday.
»RELATED: Saturday’s high school roundup
He leads the Lumberjacks’ contingent of six wrestlers who qualified for next week’s D-II district championships. Freshman Carson Baumgardner also won a sectional title at 120 pounds as the Jacks finished fifth overall.
Franklin also had a pair of sectional champs with junior Tyler Woods (36-5) at 126 and senior Gage Johnson (34-1) at 170.
As for Lewandowski, who finished third as the Graham sectional last season, he’s seen steady progress as a wrestler. He didn’t give up on the sport after that trying first season and is glad he didn’t. And, after some time, so is his mother.
“I was begging my mom to let me come out for wrestling (in the fourth grade),” Lewandowski said. “She finally let me and I lost every single match but one. I fell in love with the sport. … I wanted to stick with it.”
Lewandowski reached the D-II state tournament last season. His goal is to make it to the second day and, ultimately, podium as a top-eight finisher.
“I think the key to winning is having the bigger heart,” Lewandowski said. “Technique and conditioning are obviously a big part. But you have to want it. You have to go out there and know you can work your stuff and get that win.
“I have more motivation to go far in this sport. It’s been my favorite sport for the longest time, even when I wasn’t the greatest.”
In highlights from other sectionals on Saturday:
In D-I, Springboro qualified 13 wrestlers to district at Lakota East. The Panthers, who finished 12 points behind Cincinnati Elder for second place, received championships from senior Jacob Kowalski (37-1) at 195 and senior Tripp Johnson (25-6) at 285.
Host Lebanon won a sectional title after qualifying eight, including four titles from freshman Jack McCall (113), senior Ethan Marsh (160), senior Tyler Grogg (170) and senior Colton Quantz (220).
The D-I sectional at Centerville High School was postponed to Sunday because of a water main break at the high school.
In D-II at Graham, Valley View finished runner-up to Graham with an individual title from freshman Evan Wilcox (106). Chaminade Julienne sophomore Roman Jones (120) and junior David Frederick (170), Eaton senior Zac Schmidt (160) and Greenville junior Colton McCartney (285) also won their weight classes.
Valley View and Eaton both advanced seven, Milton-Union six and CJ and Greenville five to district.
In D-III at Covington, Troy Christian won four titles with freshman Jason Shaffer (113), senior Ethan Turner (132), junior Austin Awan (138) and senior Craig Montgomery (182). Brookville had six runner-up finishes to pace its sectional title and qualified 10 to district.
Miami East freshman Cooper Shore (106), Miami East sophomore Max Shore (120), Covington junior Kellan Anderson (126), National Trail senior Peyton Lane (145) and Tri-County North junior Blade Root (220) won titles.
Troy Christian advanced nine, Covington eight and Miami East seven to lead the frontrunners.
At the D-III meet at Lehman Catholic, Legacy Christian won six individual titles and Versailles took the team title with a pair of individual titles.
Legacy Christian received championships from sophomore Logan Attisano (106), sophomore Matt Ellis (113), freshman Boede Campbell (120), sophomore Camron Lacure (126), sophomore Gavin Brown (138) and sophomore Nick Alvarez (145).
Versailles senior Cael Bey (160) and senior Isaac Grilliot (195) claimed titles as did Preble Shawnee senior Ty Stevenson (285).
Versailles qualified 10 and Legacy qualified seven to lead the field into district.
About the Author