Bataan 5th grader Malakaii Pinkelton was recognized recently at the Ohio State for winning a OAC wrestling title. From left to right are Jennifer Buxton, Tarah Haynes, William and Malakaii Pinkelton and Sen. Theresa Gavarone.

Malakaii Pinkelton, a fifth grade student and premier young wrestler at Bataan Memorial Intermediate School in Port Clinton, was recently honored at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus by Senator Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green) for winning the Ohio Athletic Committee (OAC) Wrestling Meet in the 85-pound weight class.

“Malakaii is an outstanding young man, full of determination, and I am proud to recognize his accomplishments before my colleagues,” said Gavarone. “I look forward to seeing what he achieves in the years to come.”

Malakaii competed in the OAC championships in Youngstown, Ohio earlier this year, battling out of a 32-man bracket to win the Division III title at 85 pounds.