Photo by Kim North Steubenville’s Brody Saccoccia works towards pinning Oberlin Firelands’ Ruben-Pina Lorenzana during their 120-pound match Friday.

COLUMBUS — Not even a high temperature could keep St. Clairsville’s Caden Stout from competing in the 85th annual Ohio State wrestling tournament on Friday inside Value City Arena.

The Red Devils’ senior is a four-time qualifier and ranked sixth in Division II at 150 pounds. He took the mat and posted a 9-3 triumph over Streetsboro’s Cohen Klimak, showing no ill effects in reaching today’s 10:35 a.m. quarterfinals at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University.

“He was pretty sick Wednesday and Thursday,” St. Clairsville head coach Joel Sansone said of Stout, who improved to 46-4. “He had a really high temperature and didn’t do any wrestling. He only went to school for the afternoon send-off and then stayed home while we came up here.

“He felt halfway better after sleeping for 12 hours. He had no temperature, so we got him out there and he looked good.”

Even though Stout is a four-time state qualifier, this was only his second time competing inside the Schott due to the cancellation during his sophomore season due to COVID-19. Last year’s tournament was held at Marengo Highland High School.

“I think the experience helped me. I was calmer than some other guys,” he explained. “I’ve got three more (wins) to go.”

OVAC champion Gannon Kazmirski (113) remained alive with a 9-2 decision.

Indian Creek

The Redskins are tied for ninth place with 11.5 points as junior Dom Paterra (150) and senior Austin Starr (195) both earned pins.

Paterra (47-5) needed 3:57 to pin Elida’s Conner Douglass. Paterra was an OVAC champion.

Starr (38-3), the Redskins’ all-time leader in pins, took down Medina Buckeye’s Caleb Chipgus in a quick 59 seconds.

C.J. Spencer (144) and Reese Spencer (165) both remained alive with a technical fall and decision, respectively.

Steubenville

Big Red winners included freshman sensation Brody Saccoccia (120) and savvy senior Peyton Tuttle (285).

Saccoccia, ranked third in the state, pinned Perry’s Zach Bellisimmo in 1:48 to improve to 43-4.

“Brody went out and took care of business,” first-year Steubenville head coach Lucas Huffman said. “He has been consistent all year and has the ability to beat anyone in the state.”

Tuttle is now 45-5 after a pin of Bellevue’s Brock Nunez in 5:05.

“Peyton has also been very consistent throughout the season,” Huffman noted. “That was a big win for him. I’m glad he didn’t let the moment catch up to him.”

Steubenville’s Cal Beadling (126), Savier Faulks (150) and Brandon Kinney (190) were eliminated with two losses.

Beaver Local

The Beavers had three of four winners in earning eight points.

Returning state runnerup Logan Ours (157) is now 37-2 as a senior after a 47-second fall over Perry’s Ryan Brubaker.

Senior Jaymin Salsberry (132) earned a 6-5 decision over Copley’s Zane Van Voorhis in moving to 31-4. Voorhis was a state placer in 2019.

Classmate Mark Emmerling Jr. (138) improved to 35-7 with a 6-4 nod over Columbus St. Francis DeSales’ Aidan Rush.

The Beavers’ Gabe Morgan (175) lost twice.