Hunter Andel Archives - Your Sports Network

And that’s a wrap on the 2022-2023 high school wrestling season! As the state’s best grapplers got together in Columbus over the weekend, we got to see so many great YSN athletes compete. Last season YSN only crowned 1 state champion at the end of the year, but this year we get to praise 3. The first state champion came from Louisville as Dominic Hoffarth went back to back winning another trophy. Both of the others came from the same program in Garrettsville Garfield. The G-Men had never had a state champion before Sunday, and after Sunday they got 2. Hunter Andel, and Keegan Sell both brought home the big trophy.

In this final episode of Wrestling Wednesdays with Gary Althiser of the year, we brought on both Andel and Sell to talk about bringing home their program’s first state championship. They also talk about how much they push each other, and what this will do for the future of Garfield wrestling. Gary also recaps all of YSN’s performances down in Columbus as we put a bow on a great wrestling season.

COLUMBUS OH- Garfield has always had a strong tradition in their wrestling program. They build strong kids, that are technically sound, and able to navigate the grind of a long wrestling season. Through all the years and grapplers that have walked the halls in Garrettsville, that elusive state championship has always eluded them. That is until this season. After a long weekend in the Columbus Garfield came in to Sunday with two wrestlers having a chance to win a title. Hunter Andel, and Keegan Sell.

Hunter was up first. In an incredible defensive battle against his fellow Portage County stand out Cody Coontz from Rootstown. After two rounds the match was still scoreless, neither athlete could find space over the other. Andel opened up the third with an escape to grab a 1-0 lead. He would seal the deal later with two points on a takedown to Garfield their first ever wrestling state champion.

Keegan saw his teammate win his match and knew that his school couldn’t walk out of Columbus with just 1 title. He would not be outdone. It was Sell’s signature speed that gave him the edge in his title match. He took on Wyatt Ripke from Archbold. He got a takedown in the first that was faster than you could blink, then another in the second while he made Ripke loose his footing as he tried to escape trouble. With a third take down to follow Sell would hold on to the 6-4 win to give Garfield their second state champion of the day.