Aigler Advances to State; Garno Finishes Fifth at District

NORWALK — Columbian’s Drew Aigler is headed to the State Championships after a dramatic performance at the Division II District Wrestling Championships at Norwalk High School.

Competing at 144 pounds, Aigler finished as the district runner-up to secure his spot in next week’s OHSAA State Wrestling Championships in Columbus.

Aigler’s most thrilling moment came in the semifinal round. Trailing his opponent from Marengo Highland 8-5 with just 11 seconds remaining in the match, Aigler delivered a clutch finish. He scored a takedown and added four back points in the closing seconds to pull off a stunning comeback victory and clinch his berth at the state tournament.

In the championship match, Aigler defaulted to his opponent from Clear Fork, finishing the tournament as district runner-up.

At 215 pounds, Columbian’s Mason Garno also had a strong showing, placing fifth and earning alternate status for the state tournament.

Garno fell in the semifinal round to Defiance by a 10-2 decision, which sent him to the “blood round,” where a win would have secured a state berth. In that match, Garno came up short against Bishop Hartley, losing a hard-fought 4-1 decision.

Garno rebounded in the fifth-place match, defeating Lexington 5-0 to close his tournament on a high note.

Aigler will now represent Columbian at the state championships next week in Columbus.