WADSWORTH — Mayfield’s Asilbek Anvaroz needed a match to get the nerves out. The sophomore entered the first round of his Division I Wadsworth District against Austintown-Fitch’s Cayden Gagliardo and got in on a single early in the first. But Gagliardo caught him in too deep and got a takedown in their 120-pound match. The Wildcats wrestler didn’t panic after allowing the early take-down. Rather, he regrouped mid-scramble and flipped his hips for the reversal to Gagliardo’s back and picked up the fall in 36 seconds. “I just don’t stop moving,” Anvaroz said. “That’s something you have to do as a wrestler, keep working to improve. He took me down, but I was right back up and reversed him to his back.” Despite giving up the takedown, Anvaroz knew his nerves were going to go away. Just getting in on the single helped calm them. His teammates Carter Slife (106) and Mason Lynn (113) picked up quick wins on the same mat as his match, and the sophomore knew he wanted his match to be at a high pace, one that he has become accustomed to in the wrestling room. Related Articles High school wrestling: District tournament semifinal pairings for March 7 Division III district: Tim Mazur rediscovers his love for wrestling at Lake Catholic Division II district wrestling: Madison’s Chase White chasing unique trifecta Kenston wrestling: Baran brothers use technical falls to pile up wins and advance High school wrestling: Division I district wrestling capsules Anvaroz defeated Massillon Perry’s Samuel Adams, 12-6, with a pair of throw byes in the third period to solidify the victory. “I was a little nervous at first, but it feels good,” Anvaroz said. “As soon as you keep going on, the jitters go away. I feel more relaxed for sure.” Brush sophomore Josiah Sims worked quickly once he controlled the ties. The returning state qualifier for the Arcs struck fast and often in his first round contest against Aurora’s Hunter Sabatino. Sims had two takedowns and turns to work up a 14-1 lead going to the second before a single leg sealed his match. The sophomore has emphasized the fast-paced, find-a-tie-and-work-it offense and has had success at many tournaments. “It’s been a lot of practice to get that where I want it,” Sims said. “I like to get to my ties fast and work from there. It’s been a challenge to be that leader as only a sophomore. But I’ve put the team on my back and want this to be an example of what they can do in the future.” Sims worked an escape in the second period of his quarterfinal against Tyler Ulmer of New Philadelphia before stringing together a sprawl into a single leg and wing into a fall. Harvey heavyweight Marvin Guerra wasn’t going to be outdone by the lightweights. The Red Raiders’ senior worked an under hook into a single leg on Fremont Ross’ LaMarious Ross. Guerra lifted his opponent off the mat completely and delivered him to his back for the first-period fall. The Red Raiders senior is a smaller heavyweight but has learned how to use that to his advantage. His speed has allowed him to make quick work of the other heavyweights. “It’s about being calm and controlled, not spazzing like you see out of some heavyweights,” Guerra said. “The matches can be really long and if your in that with heavyweights, you don’t want to be up in under hooks the whole time for the third or overtime. It’s better for me if I get to my offense quickly and smoothly, then just keep it going from there.” Guerra fell behind 1-0 to Avon’s Derek Weitzel but turned a Weitzel throw attempt into a take down of his own with a flip of his hips. Another single-leg take down in the third and Guerra took the 6-2 win to the semifinals. John Harris of Mayfield (215) lost in the quarterfinals to Barberton. The Riverside trio of Kamuri Jordan (120), Ben Hainzey (157) and Mason Van Pelt (190) all fell in the quarterfinals. ...read more read less