MANSFIELD — North central Ohio wrestling fans won’t have to wait until March to see some of the state’s top talent.

This weekend’s 63rd J.C. Gorman Invitational will offer a state meet preview.

Some of the best wrestlers in the Buckeye State will be in action Friday and Saturday inside Mansfield Senior’s Pete Henry Gym.

No fewer than 16 state podium finishers from last year are scheduled to take part in the two-day, 33-team extravaganza. That list includes local luminaries Aiden Ohl of Ontario, Gradey Harding of Galion and Ashland’s Mason Bauer and Guardian Miller.

“If you do well at the Gorman, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to end up in Columbus (at the state meet),” Gorman tournament director Steve Warner said. “The Gorman is a good measuring stick at this time of year for wrestlers and coaches to see where they are.”

Both juniors, Bauer and Miller are two-time Gorman champs. Bauer won the 126-pound title last year after claiming the crown at 106 as a freshman. Miller won at 144 last year and 132 as a freshman.

Bauer beat Galion’s Harding 1-0 in the Gorman finals last January on his way to a third-place finish at the Division I state meet. Harding, who recently committed to the University of Buffalo, was the Division II state runner-up last year.

Ohl won at 113 pounds at last year’s Gorman. He placed third at state.

The loaded field includes two-time defending team champ Medina Buckeye. The Bucks are led by Blake and Collin Bartos, who both won Gorman titles last year.

Blake Bartos is a projected state champ at 138 after placing second at 132 last year. He will wrestle at Division I Wyoming.

Other top-ranked wrestlers in action this weekend include Ontario’s Ohl (120) and Clear Fork sophomore Anthony Oscar (144). Oscar won a Gorman title at 138 last year and placed fifth at state. He recently was selected the Most Valuable Wrestler at the North Canton Holiday Tournament after beating second-ranked Tyson Spicer 21-6 in the finals.

“We’ve got some heavy-hitters coming to town,” Warner said. “The field keeps getting better and better.

“We want to keep the competition at a high level and still maintain a local flavor.”

Local teams participating include host Mansfield Senior, Madison, Lexington, Ashland, Ontario, Clear Fork, Shelby, Centerburg, Crestview, Loudonville and Mapleton.