Mack Parsley Washington High School’s Mack Parsley, at left, wrestles Hunter Rose of New Lexington in the District finals at 165 pounds Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Steubenville High School. The match was tied, 5-5 until Rose managed a take-down in the final 10 seconds to win, 7-5. Parsley placed second at the District meet, qualifying for the State meet beginning Friday, March 10 at Ohio State. The Blue Lions as a team placed 14th out of 39 with 51 points.
Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald photos
Washington’s Talon Freese, right, faces Malaki Linton of Jackson in a match at 120 pounds during the Division II District tournament held at Steubenville High School Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Washington’s Brady Rohrer rides his opponent during a 215-pound match at the Division II District tournament at Steubenville High School Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Washington senior Ian Roush, top, wrestles sophomore Bradley Spencer of Morgan in a consolation round match at 144 pounds at the District tournament in Steubenville Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Washington Blue Lion sophomore Jake Bashor competes in a 285-pound match at the District tournament in Steubenville Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald photos
STEUBENVILLE — The Washington Blue Lions emerged from the Division II District tournament held Friday and Saturday, March 3 and 4 at Steubenville High School with one State tournament qualifier; sophomore Mack Parsley.
Parsley made it through to the finals where he wrestled Hunter Rose of New Lexington.
The match was tied, 5-5 when in the final 10 seconds Rose got the take-down of Parsley for a 7-5 win.
Parsley began with a 3-1 decision over Brody Fogle of Cambridge.
Parsley then took on Ryan Chafins of Beaver Local and won that match, 4-3. With that win, Parsley advanced to the semifinals.
In the semifinal match at 165 pounds, Parsley earned a major decision, 12-0 over Easton Cook of Indian Valley.
“We had a good game plan,” Washington head coach Louis Reid said of Parsley’s title match with Rose. “We wanted to slow the kid down; he’s a really good wrestler.
“He tied up the wrist and kind of slowed the match down,” Reid said. “(Parsley) wrestled the match that we wanted. We were right in the match until the final 10 seconds. (Rose) took that nice shot and took us down.
“Overall for Mack it was a great tournament,” Reid said. “He made it to the finals and he was two points away from being a District champ. He’s just a sophomore.
“Last week he was a Sectional champ,” Reid said. “The week before that he was FAC champ. It just continues to be a good season for him.”
Reid spoke about some of the other Blue Lion wrestlers who competed at the District meet.
“Ian Roush, he ended up finishing sixth,” Reid said. “He had a great career. He finished with 99 wins.”
“Brady Rohrer won two matches and wrestled really well,” Reid said. “Talon Freese won two matches; Jake Bashor won one match; Cody Brown was 0-2.”
Freese, a sophomore, began his tournament with an 11-2 major decision loss to junior Grady Toye of West Holmes.
Freese then defeated sophomore Blaine Holzschuh of Logan Elm by pin in 3:30.
Freese then beat junior Landen Zarbaugh of Circleville by pin in 4:44.
Freese lost to freshman Malaki Linton of Jackson by pin in :54.
Freese finished his sophomore season with a record of 29-15.
Brown lost his opening match to sophomore Clayton Myers of Cambridge, 7-6.
In his first-round consolation match, Brown lost to sophomore Andrew Liewellyn of Athens, 8-3. Brown finished his senior season with a record of 20-12.
Roush won his first match, 4-3 over sophomore Damon Stansbury of East Liverpool.
Roush then lost to sophomore Luke Kaiser of Athens, 6-4.
In the consolation round, Roush pinned sophomore Logan Wilhite of Maysville in 2:29.
Roush lost to junior Quake Beatty of Indian Valley, 3-1 and then he was pinned by senior Mike Hicks of Chillicothe in the match for fifth place in 2:11.
Roush completed his senior season with a record of 32-14.
Freshman Malachi McCullough won his first match at the District tournament by pin in 1:40 over senior Hunter Wallis of Sheridan.
McCullough then lost to eventual District champion senior C.J. Spencer of Indian Creek by 12-3 major decision.
McCullough pinned junior Nolan Carson of New Lexington in :53.
McCullough lost to freshman Tanner Young of River Valley in a 10-2 major decision. McCullough finished his first season with a record of 37-14.
Rohrer began the District with a pin of sophomore Landon Gill of Philo in 3:40.
Rohrer then lost to sophomore Jesse Wood of New Lexington by pin in 2:13.
Rohrer pinned freshman Kian Barton of John Glenn in 1:52. The junior lost his next match by pin in 2:29 to senior Cruz Mobley of River View.
Rohrer finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 25-12.
Jake Bashor lost his first match to Trevor Banks of Chillicothe, 4-0.
He turned around and defeated sophomore Cam Wheeler of Philo by pin in 1:23.
Bashor’s tournament ended by pin to New Philadelphia junior Garrett Dillon-Rine in 4:30. Bashor finishes his season with a record of 28-13.
“As a team, we’re going to finish in the top 20,” Reid said. Washington finished 14th as a team with 51 points.
“We’re really proud of the effort we had,” Reid said. “Our goal was to finish in the top 20. A couple of times we were in the top 10 during the tournament.
“To have a State qualifier is a big accomplishment,” Reid said. “The wrestling season is a long season and this is one of the tougher Districts.
“We’re pretty excited to have another State-qualifier,” Reid said.
“It feels good as a sophomore to make it to state,” Parsley said. “A big thank you to Brendan Peters. He’s been my practice partner for quite a few years now. Also, Mojo (Malachi McCullough) has helped me a lot.”
Parsley wrestles Gage Davis from Wilmington in his first-round match.
“I wrestled him at the Hammer and Anvil tournament and lost, but through these last few weeks of training, I think I can beat him.”
“It’ll probably be a heavier practice week until Thursday. On Thursday, I will get my mind right and ready for Friday.”
