When a wrestler works as long and hard, if he’s fortunate enough to battle his way to the state tournament in Ohio, doing anything less than placing has to be one of the ultimate disappointments.

Fortunately, none of the area’s three state qualifiers walked away Saturday from the tournament at the Value City Arena with that empty feeling. In fact, when they have time to reflect upon it in the days ahead, Edgewood’s Thomas Butryn, Conneaut’s Patrick Sanford and Madison’s Nick Montgomery probably will have the opportunity to look back with at least a fair amount of satisfaction.

The final day of wrestling probably didn’t go as Butryn might have imagined as he lost twice to settle for sixth place at 125 pounds in Division II. Had he won both of those matches, he would have secured third place, and even splitting those bouts would have netted a fifth, but he lost a tough 4-2 decision to Lisbon Beaver’s Arizona Miller in his first match, then fell on a 13-5 major decision to Kenston’s Tre Smith in the second match.

Still, Butryn’s finish is a high point in Edgewood wrestling history. With his sixth, he is the first Warrior to place at the state tournament since Matt Melaragno also finished sixth in 1998. The nine points Butryn earned during the tournament put Edgewood in a tie for 50th in the Division II team standings. St. Paris Graham finished with 233 points to win its 10th straight Division II team title.

Sanford completed his career on a positive note, placing seventh for the second straight year at 215 pounds in Division II. He earned that place by pinning Jared Gravely of Gallipolis Gallia Academy in just 2:16 in his lone match of the day Saturday.

The 10 points Sanford earned put Conneaut in 48th place in the Division II team standings.

Montgomery, just a freshman, placed seventh at 103 pounds in Division I. He earned his place in solid fashion with an 8-0 major decision over Lebanon’s Eddie Noble. The eight points he accumulated gave Madison a tie for 47th place in the team standings.

In another interesting development in the Division I tournament, Wadsworth ended Lakewood St. Edward’s 13-year run as team champion, 172-167.5. Wadsworth became the first public school champion in Division I since 1977.

In other information regarding wrestlers with area connections, Harvey’s Ian Jones, the 2009 runner-up in Division II at 285 pounds, finished seventh this year after pinning Celina’s Codey Welker in 2:46. His nine points for the Red Raiders put him in the tie for 50th in Division II with Butryn and Edgewood.

In the Division III ranks, Kirtland, coached by former Jefferson coach and Madison High School wrestler Scott Francis, tied for 20th with 24 points. The Hornets’ Royal Brettrager was third at 189 pounds and Nick Zele was seventh at 171 pounds. Monroeville was the Division III team champion with 116 points, making up for last year’s narrow one-point loss in the team race.

Butryn and Edgewood coach Greg Stolfer felt the wrestler deserved a somewhat better fate, particularly out of his match with Miller. But they were still pleased with the finish for a competitor who was not even on most people’s radar screens going into the season, had only started wrestling at the relatively late juncture of the eighth grade and may well have ended his wrestling career.

“I was a little disappointed with today, but I’m glad I placed,” Butryn said. “I could have come here not even worried about placing, so definitely it was great to get on the awards stand. I felt a little gypped from the first match, but what can you do?

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was awesome. But it was probably my last match unless a school comes along and offers me a lot of money to wrestle.”

Otherwise, it is likely Butryn will wind up at Heidelberg College in Tiffin to run cross country and track for Lakeside High School graduate Jason Headman.

Whatever direction Butryn takes, Stolfer was pleased with the end of his high school career.

“Sixth place is pretty good,” he said. “He lost that first one on one me and everybody else in Ashtabula County felt should have gone to overtime, but it didn’t happen. The second one (against Smith), Thomas was just up against someone who isn’t our type of wrestler, a grinder.

“Nobody has worked harder than Thomas. He deserves to be on the podium. For someone who only started wrestling in eighth grade, this speaks volumes. It was a good experience for him and me.”

Sanford and coach Matt Bidwell were unavailable for comment after the completion of his tournament.

Madison coach Ryan Wirtzberger was pleased with the way his prize freshman finished up. Montgomery’s placing was one spot better than where he had been ranked by the Brakeman Report, the authoritative voice of Ohio high school wrestling.

“I thought Nick came back strong,” he said. “He manhandled the kid he wrestled today. He got a takedown in the first 13 seconds and controlled the match from there.

“We feel like Nick was about the fifth-best wrestler at his weight. I don’t think the pressure got to him until his consolation quarterfinal. The kid who took fifth Nick had beat twice during the season.”

Wirtzberger expects Montgomery to move up significantly in weight next year.

“Nick’s style is more like that of a 130 or 135,” he said. “He’s a more methodical, more physical wrestler. I want him to be at least 125 next year. That will let him get a lot stronger, too.”