COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ The defending champions were ahead in Division I and Division II after the first day of competition in the 2008 state wrestling tournament Thursday, and the Division III race was shaping up to offer a rematch of last year's close finish.

Marion Pleasant holds a 33-30½ lead and advanced 10 of its 11 qualifiers in the Division III championship bracket and also has a wrestler in the consolation bracket who could place. Troy Christian has seven of eight still competing for titles as well as one in the consolation bracket. Troy Christian defeated Pleasant 154-151½ last year.

In Division II, St. Paris Graham holds a 32½ to 19½ advantage over Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in its bid for an eighth straight championship. Graham still has 12 of 13 wrestlers competing, including 11 for titles on Saturday. Walsh Jesuit has six wrestlers left, with five vying for titles.

Although Division I's Lakewood St. Edward has 25 points, while Massillon Perry has 17 and Cincinnati Elder 16, St. Edward is on pace to win its 12th straight title. St. Edward has 11 in the championship bracket and one in the consolation round. Perry advanced its five wrestlers and Elder has six left with four in the championship bracket.

The competition resumes with the championship quarterfinals and consolation round 2 on Friday at the Jerome Schottenstein Center at Ohio State.

All 23 past state champions advanced Thursday, although three-time Division I champion Tony Jameson of Youngstown Austintown-Fitch had a narrow escape at 145 pounds. He was nearly pinned by Rudy Hendon of Bowling Green in the second period before winning a 23-20 decision.

Other champions to win in Division II were Steve Mitcheff, Elyria, and Sam White, Perry (112 pounds); Brad Squire, Wadsworth (130); Collin Palmer, St. Edward (135); Richie Spicel, Brunswick (140); and Brian Roddy, St. Edward (171).

In Division II, Ben Jordan (145) and David Taylor (112) of Graham are on track for their third titles as is Oak Harbor's Cody Magrum (189). Other past winners to advance are Cody Garbrandt, Uhrichsville Claymont (119); Aaron Sulzer, Parma Heights Holy Name (140); Cody Boyd, Graham (152) and Eric Cubberly, Pemberville Eastwood (160).

In Division III, Ryan Gambill of Casstown East (135), Daniel Kolodzik of Dayton Miami Valley (130) and Pleasant's Jed Moore (152) look to win their third titles. Six other former champs advanced: Logan Stiebner, Monroeville (119); Ben Sergent, Troy Christian (125); Zach Nelson of London Madison Plains, David Stiltner of Apple Creek Waynedale and Zach Toal of Troy Christian (145); and Steve Wilson, Pleasant (160).