Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

NELSONVILLE — A successful trip north to Nelsonville means Ironton Middle School’s Ryan McClain will make another trip a little further north.
McClain finished fourth in the highly competitive district middle school wrestling tournament and qualified for the state meet on April 22 at Ohio State University.
McClain had a 5-2 record at the district meet and is the first middle school wrestler from Lawrence County to qualify for the state meet.
The top six wrestlers in each weight class advance to the state tournament.
Ironton heavyweight Rocky White had a good tournament and finished ninth.
McClain and White joined teammates Dalton Crabtree, Uriah Meadows and Bryce Maynard to win Ohio Valley Conference Middle School championships earlier this month.
Ironton also had seven runners-up to generate a stronger push to return wrestling as a high school varsity sport.
Freshman Hunter Eaches will participate in an open showcase later this month in Columbus.
Eaches is not eligible to compete in the OHSAA postseason tournaments because wrestling is not an official sport at Ironton.
Ironton’s wrestling club is managed by John Maynard and has more than 100 members in grades 1-9.