Grace Bates continued to excel on the wrestling match picking up her first win at the OHSAA State Wrestling tournament on Friday.  The junior second year wrestler just missed out on a state berth last year due to an officials decision at the Mentor Regionals, but vowed to go further this year and she accomplished that becoming only the second girls wrestler to earn a state bid in West Branch history.

Bates lost her first match in Columbus, but picked up a victory in her next match by pin in just :52 seconds to earn a trip to day two.  She fell to one of the top wrestlers in the state in her final bout, but she should still be proud of the excellent season she had.  Bates finished her season with a 40-11 record which also included a Sectional Championship and a first team EBC selection.

Bates will return for her senior year determined to make it back to state and get on the podium.  Congratulations on a great season and Go Warriors!