COLUMBUS — It wasn’t the win Gradey Harding coveted. But Galion’s senior 132-pounder capped his high school career with a victory.

Harding cruised to a 13-3 win over Hubbard’s Markel Hackwelder in the fifth-place match during the final day of the state tournament Sunday morning.

Below are photos from the final day of the state wrestling tournament. Credit: Curt Conrad and Hayden Gray

The University of Buffalo-bound Harding will graduate as Galion’s first four-time state placer. He was fifth as a freshman and took runner-up honors each of the past two years.

“I don’t know. It wasn’t my tournament, I guess,” a disappointed Harding said. “I worked all summer. I worked all offseason to try to get to my attacks and I just didn’t execute down here.”

Unofficially, Hading concluded his career with a record of 160-26.

“I definitely needed that win,” Harding said, “but it hurts pretty bad.”

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Madison senior goes out in style

Madison senior Estella Koppert Smith went out in style.

Koppert Smith pinned Benjamin Logan’s Bella Hughes in the seventh-place match. She was 3-2 on the weekend and became Madison’s first girls state placer.

“It feels great,” Koppert Smith said. “It feels amazing to place at the state level and being All-Ohio.

“I ended my high school career on a good note.”

Koppert Smith was one of three Madison state placers. Aiden Proctor finished sixth at 157 and Jaxin Stancombe was fourth at 285.

“It’s the first time our school has ever done that,” Stancombe said. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s cool to be part of the school’s history like that.”

Three other area wrestlers place at state meet

The area produced three other state placers. Clear Fork’s Caleb Snyder finished fourth at 113, while Galion’s Ryder Alberty was sixth at 138. Ontario’s Gavin Miller was eighth at 150.

Below are more photos from the final day of the state wrestling tournament. Credit: Curt Conrad and Hayden Gray