HILLIARD — Three Mount Vernon wrestlers are one step closer to the promised land.
Dakota Riley (106 pounds), Lucas Staten (152) and Matt Lybarger (182) all won two matches Friday night at the Division I Wrestling District tournament at Hilliard Darby. That puts them in the championship semifinals and they need just one win in their next two matches to advance to the state tournament.
“We’ve got three in the semis — that’s good,” said Mount Vernon coach John Brown. “Hopefully, we can get them out and the other four come back through (the loser’s bracket). We’ve got to come back and wrestle well tomorrow. I feel good about how we wrestled and where we’re at now.”
Riley, a junior, had the most impressive night of the Jackets, recording two pinfall victories. His first match, against Shakur Laney of Groveport lasted just one minute. After a quick takedown, Riley watched Laney escape and then record a takedown of his own to grab a 3-2 lead. But, the Jacket junior was able to hit his favorite move — the spladel — and pinned Laney just one minute into the match.
“That’s my favorite move because it’s easy. I just make one simple move,” said Riley.


