Clear Fork Wins First Sectional Wrestling Title

Coaching staff and team effort lead to historic victory for Ohio high school.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Clear Fork High School wrestling team made history on Saturday by winning their first-ever sectional wrestling title. Assistant coach Matt Merendino played a key role, catching a scoring mistake that resulted in an extra half-point for the Colts in the Division II sectional tournament.

Why it matters

Winning a sectional title is a major milestone for any high school wrestling program, as it qualifies the team to advance to the next round of the state tournament. Clear Fork's victory showcases the hard work and dedication of the coaches and athletes, and highlights the importance of attention to detail in competitive sports.

The details

Clear Fork's assistant coach Matt Merendino was instrumental in the team's victory, catching a scoring mistake that gave the Colts an extra half-point. Head coach Nick Allerding praised the entire coaching staff and team for their collective effort in securing the historic win.

  • The sectional tournament took place on Saturday, March 1, 2026.

The players

Matt Merendino

A long-time assistant coach on Nick Allerding's staff at Clear Fork High School.

Nick Allerding

The head wrestling coach at Clear Fork High School.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of times you don't even pay attention (to match scores)”

— Matt Merendino, Assistant Coach

What’s next

The Colts will now advance to the district tournament, where they will compete against other sectional champions for a chance to qualify for the state tournament.

The takeaway

Clear Fork's sectional title victory demonstrates the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, and dedicated coaching in high school sports. The Colts' historic win will inspire the local community and set the stage for a potential deep run in the state tournament.