By MICHAEL S. BURICH

Assistant Sports Editor

COLUMBUS — Columbiana County’s top girls contenders took care of business on Friday on the first day of the girls state wrestling tournament at the Schottenstein Center.

East Liverpool junior Paige Cowan, United senior Auston Brown and Salem senior Paige Menough all won their first matches to advance to the championship quarterfinals.

Cowan opened the tournament with a 20-0 win over Definace’s Isabela Jordan at 106 pounds. Cowan, ranked fifth in the state by DubStat, is slated to take on second ranked Kendleigh Dowalter in the championship quarterfinal.

Brown, ranked third at 135 pounds, pinned Big Walnut’s Katelyn Norris in 2:47 in the opening round. Brown will meet sixth ranked El Tha of Lakewood in the quarterfinal.

Menough opened with a pin of Alanna Smith of Olentangy Orange in 5:57 at 140. Menough, ranked 10th in the state, will meet No. 1 Youstina Hanna of Columbia in the quarterfinal on Saturday.

West Branch’s Grace Bates and East Liverpool’s Alanna McGonigal both lost their first match and won their first consolation matches to stay alive for a shot at the podium.

Paige Cowan

East Liverpool Potters

125 pounds

Jr., 40-4

FIRST ROUND: Cowan tech. fall Isabela Jordan (Defiance), 20-0

QUARTERFINAL: vs. Kendleigh Dowalter (Grove City)

Auston Brown

United Eagles

135 pounds

Sr., 42-5

FIRST ROUND: Brown pin Katelyn Norris (Big Walnut), 2:47

QUARTERFINAL: vs. El Tha (Lakewood)

Paige Menough

Salem Quakers

140 pounds

Sr., 46-3

FIRST ROUND: Menough pin Alanna Smith (Olentangy Orange), 5:57

QUARTERFINAL: vs. Youstina Hanna (Columbia)

Grace Bates

West Branch Warriors

155 pounds

Jr., 40-10

FIRST ROUND: Maya Keane (Hartley) major dec. Bates, 11-1

FIRST CONSOLATION: Bates pin Joanna Torres (Valley Forge), :53

Alanna McGonigal

East Liverpool Potters

170 pounds

Jr., 29-9

FIRST ROUND: Razilee Wisseh (Canal Winchester) major dec. McGonigal, 10-1

FIRST CONSOLATION: McGonigal injury default over Paige Gamby (Tinora)