Union Local’s Gunnar Gossett is tangled up with Lima Central Catholic’s Jordan Neal during their Ohio Division III 144-pound state championship match Sunday night during the 88th annual state tournament at Value City Arena inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University. Gossett fell, 9-7, on a late near fall. Photos by Kim North

COLUMBUS — A pair of western Belmont County wrestlers fell short of the dream Sunday night with runner up finishes in their respective weight classes as the 88th annual Ohio Division III State Wrestling Tournament closed out its three-day stay at Value City Arena inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University.

Union Local’s Gunnar Gossett (144) and Barnesville’s Ayden King (165) both dropped close decisions in the championship finals.

Gossett, a sophomore who ended up 48-5, had a 7-4 lead entering the third period, but allowed Lima Central Catholic’s Jordan Neal a takedown with seven seconds left to tie things. Then, just before the final buzzer, the referee ruled that Neal recorded a two-point near fall for the win.

“That was a tough match,” Union Local head coach Nate Starkey admitted. “He got the cradle on him late in the second period, and I honestly thought the referee was going to call it a pin, but he didn’t.

“Gunnar wrestled the right way. He stuck to our game plan,” Starkey said. “It was unfortunate that he gave up those late points.”

Gossett finished sixth last year at 144.

“He will bounce back and be even better next year,” Starkey said.

King, a senior, ended his career with a fine 54-3 record, but not the title that he coveted.

After a scoreless first period, King went ahead 2-0 with a reversal to start the second period and led 2-1 entering the third. Quaintance drew even with an escape and then recorded a takedown for a 5-2 advantage.

King was awarded a penalty point for stalling near the end of the third period and recorded an escape just before the final buzzer, but it wasn’t enough.

“He had a fine season but not the end that he wanted,” Barnesville head coach Jayson Stephen said. “He started out good but then let that kid dictate the match late.”

Barnesville also place-winners in sophomore Colt Carpenter (138-5th) and junior Hines Ford (175-4th).

Union Local’s Brody Perzanowski (175-6th); Martins Ferry’s Colten Nixon (126-7th); and Harrison Central freshman Knox McKibben (215-5th) rounded out the medalists.

After a state runner up finish in the D-III team race a year ago, Barnesville wound up eighth this year with 53.5 points.