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2001

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

FORECAST

(30th Annual Edition)

Written By:
Brian Brakeman

Copyright 2001, Reproduction of this material for profit without written consent is prohibited.

DIVISION II

103#

Projected Champion:  Ricky Deubel (Kenston)

Top Contenders

I was wandering through Borders, the other day and I started to page through one of those new dictionaries that have lots of illustrations.  Imagine my surprise when I got to the definition of “wide open”   and saw next to it the 103# bracket sheet for Division II.  Actually I wasn’t all that shocked since this is by far the most difficult weight to forecast.  In contrast to Division I, there is only one returning state qualifier at this class and he went two and out last year.  There are some exceptional freshman, but their schedules have been such that they  have not met (or even had many common opponents).  It reminds me of the reply by the theater owner in “Shakespeare in Love” when he asked how he knew everything would be okay.  His reply, “It’s a mystery” - - and so it is

There are so many possible choices at this class, but I’ve gone with the flashy freshman, Ricky Deubel.  He is undefeated this year winning at Avon Lake, Kenston and the WRC - - and winning with real style as well.  It is slightly unnerving to know that he finished behind Smith and Compton at the Junior High State Tourney, but I think at this age, things can rapidly change.  Clearly with so many new faces almost anything could happen, but my view is that Deubel has a slight edge.

Part of the difficulty this year is the re-arrangement of the four districts.  It makes past year comparisons difficult and creates a new set of rivalries.  We now have the Northwest district tied in with one of the Northeast sectionals and the Central District placed with the Eastern teams.  In a year or two we’ll appreciate even more, this new system.

The Firestone District has some excellent strength and some upset potential, too.  Deubel heads my list here but the trio of Laughlin, Sandy and Kahn are all very good.  Laughlin, now a sophomore, won at Wadsworth after a 4^th place finish at North Canton, where he lost a one-point decision to McCarthy.  The thing I see is good improvement and ascending results with Laughlin.  Even more dramatic has been Sandy’s improvement.  At the beginning I would have said no chance for state qualification, but that now seems very possible.  He was 5^th at the Top Gun splitting two bouts with Reichman and beat Ryan Smith at the CVCA duals while almost defeating Wornoff.  He is on an upward spiral.  Kahn crushed Monsman to win at Solon and has lost only to LaScala.  He is very good on top - - and enormous advantage when you can score from that position.  Albaugh and Herasuta are not far behind my top quartet at this district.  Strange bracketing (which could easily happen with Deubel, Kahn, and Sandy exiting the same sectional) or a single upset puts them in Columbus the following week.

The Galion district is nearly as strong.  Smith is a two-time junior high school champion.  He won titles at both the Dies and Medina against excellent competition.  He is very good at setting tempo and then grinding out victories, and does not seem nervous in close struggles.  A big factor is that he can ride which makes him excellent with a lead.  Compton is also excellent and has finalist potential.  He exits from that very tough Oak Harbor sectional which also feature McCarthy, Kline Ysguirre, and Q. Smith (Bellevue).  McCarthy and Rabung look next best, but as we discussed regarding the Firestone district there is lots of dept here.  With the Oak Harbor Sectional strong, we could have bracket issues which might help propel Ysguirre, Valliant or Williams (St. Marys Memorial) to a state berth.

Meinking seems best at Wilmington, but a recent 7-2 upset loss to Franklin at least muddies the picture slightly.  Meinking whipped Candy to take the SWOCA title, blasted Herasuta to win the CIT, and beat state qualifier Jed Smith to win at Carroll.  It would be no surprise to see him as a finalist.  Franklin, Wertz, and Ron Bowers are my choices for the other three spots, but the latter two are far from sure things.  By the way that is Ron Bowers at this district and Ren Bowers at this weight class at the Buckeye Local district - - and you thought this was easy.

There are even more possibilities at Buckeye local than at the other three districts.  I was impressed with Pizzurro at Mayfield and Brecksville, but not at the CIT.  Still, he could be a critical component in DeSales hopes for a team title.  Reichman should probably be rated higher, but where, exactly, I’m not sure.  He went 11-10 with Smith and split with Sandy while being dominant in his own area.  He has a chance to make me look bad here.  Lindquist and Bowers are strong but Sponseller, if he can make the weight, could potentially defeat them both.  Hoover and Cain both placed high at OVAC with the latter boy having an especially good district competition last year at this weight.  This should be a real donnybrook.

112#

Projected Champion:  Kyle Stoffer (Olmsted Falls)

Top Contenders

Early each year the distribution of truly excellent wrestlers is uneven and shows a clumping pattern.  Then as the season progresses little by little changes occur.  Accommodations are made, and the distribution becomes far more uniform.  Its never perfect and there will always be some weight classes more challenging and difficult than others.  But kind of like Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” the distribution finds an equilibrium that overall, maximizes the probabilities of the best wrestlers becoming state champs.  Only at the end-points (103# and heavyweight) does the logic of these changes fail because of physical factors.

And so it is that it seemed almost inevitable that defending state champion Kyle Stoffer would certify at 112#.  As we will shortly see, 119# was truly loaded with more superior contestants than at any other class.  At Medina he already seemed small at 119#, and while he didn’t exactly look “buttery” he certainly didn’t seem fully pared either.  Thus the move to 112#, but that cut is no guarantee of a second state title as there area number of excellent contenders competing here, as well.   Last year Stoffer had a fabulous season at 103# winning 39 straight bouts - -almost none of them close - - in cruising to his first state title.  He defeated Zupancic in the finals 10-3.  Since moving to 112# he won the Dies in a relatively close battle with my Division III choice Buzek and then nipped Zupancic 5-4 in a dual.  Some (Bill Barger) have suggested that the field has finally chased down Stoffer and pulled even with him.  Possibly, but there is an adjustment period especially on cuts relatively late in the season.  I anticipate a far fiercer Stoffer in February and early March - - when it really counts.

I also reject the assumption that Zupancic, as good as he is will be the prime challenger.  I felt last year and still do that West Virginia signee, Kendjorsky could be the real obstacle for Stoffer.  Last year Zupancic defeated him by holding him in the 30-second tie-breaker.  This year Kendjorsky has stomped the competition along the river, though, granted that is not the rigorous Walsh schedule.  One advantage that Zupancic possesses is that he will be away from Stoffer should he win his district - - no easy task as we shall soon see.  Zupancic was 2nd last year winning three bouts by a total of two points before running into Stoffer.  He struggled early this year before finishing 3^rd at the Top Gun and 2^nd at Mayfield.  Last year he went to the state meet with 13 losses and it sure didn’t seem to bother him.

Stoffer faces a very crowded district.  Schmidt, a transfer from Sandusky St. Mary, was 4^th in Division III last year, and has performed well in his new environs.  He was particularly impressive in winning up a weight class at Tiffin.  Shearer is a great freshman who beat out state qualifier Hoffman for the 112# position at Clyde.  Smith is a typically tough Bellevue wrestler who just missed qualification last year.  State qualifier Bridenbaugh should squeeze into that fourth state berth over Smith, but state qualifier Bergman will be a long-shot for a second trip.  A wildcard is Perez who has a win over Smith and has won several tourneys.  Lashaway (Eastwood), Joseph (Holland Springfield), Overholt (Elida) and D. Smith (Lexington) are also good.  This will be a 16-man bracket with Nary a soft touch in it.

Kendjorsky, on the other hand, should defend his district with little trouble.  State qualifier Brown should also qualify with relative ease, but after that it gets complicated.  Morgan, a very accomplished youth wrestler, has had a great freshman year, and should be a major factor.  Conger wrestles in a remote part of the state, but won two district matches last year, and has dominated his foes this year.  He’s got the horsepower to grab a state berth. State qualifier Dailey and the young Cody Apperson will also play a role with the latter, in particular, a real threat that leaves Hundley (Hebron Lakewood), Albaugh (Buckeye Valley) and Thress (Watkins Memorial) as long-shots.

There are at least six state quality wrestlers at Kenston.  The top quartet is headed by Zupancic, but also has included state qualifiers Hurley and Turchetta and state alternate Giambrone.  Hurley is a dynamo who won at Medina and North Canton and was 2^nd at the WRC and 3^rd at Kenston.  He can go with anyone here. Turchetta has improved over last year’s fine freshman season.  He won at Hudson, Kenston and the WRC and has had a series of battles with Hurley.    Giambrone almost qualified at 112# last year losing the 5^th place battle to Constantino.  He might be on the bubble here as the excellent French and tough Naso are breathing down his neck.  Also watch for Inghram who has wrestled the tough Lake Catholic schedule with only a few nicks.  He upset Hurley at Kenston, but was only 6^th at the CIT.

State qualifier Velez is very strong at the Wilmington District and has excellent placement potential.  He won two state bouts last year, but missed placement on a 6-3 loss to Russell.  This year, as Dan Loy would say, he is totally undefeated with more than 50% falls.  State qualifiers Browning, Hickman, Klofta, and Wells also return, so again we have a crowded and complex situation. Both Browning and Klofta had state wins last year, and have had strong 2001 seasons.  Browning, for example, won at Eaton and Bellbrook and was 2^nd at Carroll, Edgewood, and the GMVWA.  Velez beat him by 5 points in their meeting.  A dark-horse candidate is Midlam who pinned Browning at Carroll and was 3^rd at the CIT.  Also look for Steadman (Norwood), Jett (Little Miami), and Schlater (Graham).

119#

Projected Champion:  Kyle Ott (St. Paris Graham)

Top Contenders

Over the past three years, Kyle Ott has established himself as one of the premier talents of the last half dozen years.  As a freshman he lost a close state quarter -final bout to Sean Penn and it seemed he would never lose again.  He compiled a consecutive win streak that had reached 85 by the end of his junior year.  It included two state titles and two Reno titles, and he was beating the best with almost disdainful ease.  Last year, for example, he ended every match in the state tournament process in less than five minutes except for the final against the extravagantly talented Mark Moos.  A non-stop attacking genius he signed early with Illinois and his senior season seemed a certain triumphant encore.

Then over the summer, Ott underwent six knee surgeries, and the resultant fallout saw him leaving Wayne and transferring to St. Paris Graham.  His first competition was in mid-January and it was no cakewalk.  The Top Gun had many of the best 119’s in the state and while Ott defeated Fowler and Foster, he lost a 7-6 bout to Protz in the finale.  I thought it was a auspicious beginning, and while 119# is an extremely rugged weight class an improving Ott will be very difficult to beat.  Even in that loss he had 3 takedowns to one for Protz.  Look for him by state tournament time to be five points better than anyone else.

The Wilmington District is strong at this weight class, but not to the level where they will severely challenge Ott.  Defending district champion Harrison pinned Kremer and Wooten in the last two rounds in 2000, and was a state quarter-finalist.  This year he has not reached that same level.  He was 5^th at the CIT losing to Weeks and Gross and was bombed by the freshman Franz at Carroll.  I’ve moved Kremer and King (who have split close bouts) ahead of him.  All three are returning state qualifiers.  They’ll need to be sharp because Ferri has come on strong in the second half of the season winning at Valley View and Bellbrook.

If Ott is to be really challenged it’ll will come from the Cleveland area.  Two of the favorites at Firestone have already matched up with Ott.  Protz was 6^th as a sophomore and 3^rd last year losing only to Rooney in the semi-finals.  This year he was 2^nd at the Ironman and Kenston (at 125#) and, of course, had the big win at the Top Gun over Ott, 7-6.  If he wins here at Firestone (no sure thing) than he and Ott would be in opposite half-brackets - - no small advantage.  I almost rated Constantino as second best here, but I’m still giving Protz the slightest of edges.  Constantino, 6^th last year, has won at Coffman, Kenston, and the CIT and has run up big scores in the process.  His only in-state loss was to Ott at the Ohio duals by a narrow 7-5 margin.  If he wins at Firestone I think he’ll be a finalist the next week.  I’ve voted Gulosh third best at this district with good placement potential.  Like his brother he has suddenly blossomed toward the second half of his junior year.  He won at Mayfield over a field that included Aggozino, Jaggers, and Pizzuro.  He’s somebody the top boys cannot afford to overlook.  The fourth spot is wide open with Kastens and Budd, perhaps, having the inside track.  We might see Giambrone here as he must choose between 112# and 119# - - after all he did beat Kastens 7-3.

The other Cleveland area challenger will be Fowler, who has also shown huge improvement gains this year.  He was the MVP at Medina after beating Stoffer and also won at the Buckeye and Chardon.  He was 4^th at the Top Gun after losing a 4-3 thriller to Ott.  All at once he has gotten very tough.  This is a crowded district - - as it seems to be at every weight class.  Russell was a 5^th at 112# with wins over Harrison and Constantino but, two thumpings from Protz.  This year he was 3^rd at GMVWA, but has won almost everything else.  Shearer and Lochotzki are both state qualifiers with the latter boy finishing 5^th at 103# last year.  Shearer won their dual meet battle, and has a slight edge.  State qualifier Gomez has moved down to Division II so he’s a bit of an unknown here.  He was only 8^th at GMVWA.  Spurlock, Rowland (Upper Sandusky) and Gliatta (Edison) are also possibilities.

The Buckeye Local District should be wild.  Dotson has been hot lately and supplanted Pizzurro as my top 119-pounder in the Central District.  Both have placement possibilities, but it won’t be easy.  Pizzurro was a state qualifier two years ago at 103#, but has found it somewhat tougher going  at  higher weights.  He was 4^th at Mayfield losing to Gulosh and Jaggers.  Weeks and DiPietro are also strong in the Columbus area with the former defeating Harrison at the CIT.  Henry and Maple are both returning state qualifiers with the latter finishing 6^th last year.  Both could well struggle at this district especially with so much firepower coming in from the Central District.  Maple has been at 125 pounds much of the year, but did certify at 112#.  I have not seen him perform at the weight so I’m guessing he’ll be at 119# - - where he was runner-up at the OVAC.

125#

Projected Champion:  Josh Wooten (St. Paris Graham)

Top Contenders 

One of the reasons 119# remained so tough was that moving up to 125# offered very little in the way of relief.  It features a wide array of outstanding wrestlers representing all four districts.  I count five returning state placers and, at least, and equal number of other well-credentialed challengers.  However, the favorite has to be former state champion Josh Wooten who after some difficulties last year has found his perfect niche.  Two years ago, Wooten took the title at 103# which included wins over Stoffer in the first round and King in the final.  Last year he opted to compete at 112# -- - a major help in the terms of the Graham line-up - - but he could not sustain either his performance or his weight at 112#.  A late season move to 119# moved him back into the line-up, and he did qualify for the state meet.  However, a first round loss to Finn dropped him immediately into the consolation bracket and he did not place.

This year he has been exceptional - - almost a replay of his sophomore year.  .  .  At the Ironman he defeated State 3^rd, Enright, and then crushed state champion, Lang, 14-3, before losing a tough battle to the nations top-rated Cory Cooperman.  He crushed everybody at Graham, and then at Medina he again beat Enright before losing a last-second thriller to two-time champ Drew Opfer.    Actually, I thought Wooten was the better boy that day - - sharper on his feet and in better condition - - but Opfer scored the big points.  He humbled everyone at the Top Gun - - including a win over Bowersock by the shocking score of 16-3..  He is just so strong and so confident now that it will take a Herculean effort to upset. him

To make things even better, Wooten emerges from the easiest district.  Williamson is my second choice, but he has never made it past a district quarter-final.  Taylor did pin Minter at the Ohio Duals, but no one here except for Wooten has developed a state-wide reputation of any sort.  You might see Ferri here instead of 119# with perhaps Kanta (Ross) and Binford (Purcell) in the hunt.

Finn, was 2^nd at 119# last year, losing only to Schlatter (at both district and state), and capturing a place for the second year in a row.  Incidentally his first three wins at Columbus were all by a 5-3 margin.  This year he won at North Canton and Tiffin and has been very impressive.  He moved up to challenge Schlatter at 130# but lost, and went down to defeat against Opfer at the SBC Duals.  He beat Wooten in the first round last year, and must duplicate that feat to be a state champ this year.  State qualifiers Minter and Reyna are also back. Minter was a quarter-finalist before losing twice - - once to Wooten, 11-2.  He won at Avon Lake and is currently 22-2.  Reyna has to choose between 119# and 125#, andI think he’ll wind up here.  In either case a return trip will be iffy.  Williams is an excellent sophomore with a great future while Quevedo and Simon have solid experience.  If you factor in A. Gomez (Holland Springfield), Blackburn (Clyde), and Deppe it’s a deep field.

Bowersock was 3^rd last year at the 119# including an 8-6 decision over Messler in the consolation finals.  He was at 130# much of the year, but dropped for the OVAC which he won for the third time.  He was 3^rd at the Top Gun losing to Wooten by a score that seemed almost a misprint.  He’ll hope Finn is in with Wooten giving him his best shot at the finals.  Burns was 6^th last year at 125#, but I’m not sure he can “hang “with the top quartet.  He was 6^th at Brecksville but didn’t wrestle recently at either the CIT or Mayfield.  Tommy Williams was 4^th two years ago, but various injuries have plagued him for almost two years now. Slated to return it will be interesting to see what he will be able to do after such a long layoff.  The freshman, Spohn (New Lexington) may compete, and would be a possible factor in the final outcome.

Life will have come full circle if King were to meet Wooten in the finals.  Two years ago the top-ranked   Wooten met the little-known King in the state finals at 103# - - with Wooten winning a 10-7 decision..  Last year both had some issues.  Wooten’s, I reviewed at the top of this essay, while King was injured after sectionals and did not compete after that.  Now King and state placer Messier head up the Firestone District.  Both should place and they are not that distant from Bowersock and Finn.  Messier was 2^nd at the Dies and won handily at Wadsworth.  My big question is whether they have the horsepower to match up with the top three.  Mulhall has had a great year with wins at Kenston and Coffman and a strong finish at the CIT.  However, he may have a fractured leg, which would end his season.  That would give state qualifier Nelson a little breathing room and, perhaps, open the door for a Collier, Faist, or Wunderle.

130#

Projected Champion:  C.P. Schlatter (Columbus DeSales) 

Top Contenders

The hugely heralded C. P. Schlatter turned out to be everything he was touted to be - - and more.  This fabulous freshman went, 44-0 against tough competition including a big win over three-time Ohio State Champ Mason Lenhard.  His only challenge in the state tournament process came from Ryan Finn in the finals where a somewhat more conservative Schlatter won a 7-4 decision.  He reminds me somehow of Jimmy Heffernan - - analytical, unflappable, and always in control of himself and his talent

Ohio has never had a wrestler go undefeated throughout a four-year career.  Several had come close (Zimmer, Jordan, etc), but Schlatter seemed to be on track to accomplish that monumental task.  However, DeSales wrestles a very strong schedule and Schlatter did lose earlier this year in the Beast of the East final round.  Ahead 4-0, he ended up dropping a 7-5 overtime decision.  He has beaten Pflug twice - - the last, a narrow 7-6 battle where both boys had two takedowns.  There is no one in division II to challenge him, and the battle at Columbus will be for 2^nd place.  Think about the 130’s in Ohio this year. 

The senior, Harry Lester, the junior, Joe Pflug, and the sophomore, C. P. Schlatter.  It is indeed, a fortunate time to be alive. Schlatter exits from a crowded Buckeye Local District.  State qualifier Wilson was 2^nd at North Canton and 6^th at the Top Gun where he lost 10-9 semi-final bout to Evans.  I think there’s a drop-off down to state qualifier  Bennett who won 33 bouts last year as a freshman.  Schlegel and Teterich would then battle for a last state berth along with Shaw and Conlisk.  After the top duo it really is pretty wide open.  Barath (St. Clairsville) is a possibility here.

Evans got pushed out of the line-up last year when Wooten moved to 119^th.  He won at Graham, was 2^nd at the Top Gun (to Lester) and 3^rd at medina (losing to Lester).  Well, at least he won’t have to face Lester anymore, but I’m thinking he won’t find Schlatter a treat either.  State qualifier Hensley just won very big at Eaton and he could be a major factor.  He won two state bouts last year losing only to the state second and third place wrestlers. McSorley moved ahead of Damanti with a win at Franklin but both can qualify.   That would leave out Bolton, Rumpke (Preble Shawnee) and Hoppe (Dayton Christian).

Schultz will be interesting to watch.  Last year he won his first two state bouts - - both in overtime - - to reach the semi-finals.  Then in another bitter struggle he lost in overtime again to Hiles and then quickly fell to 6^th.  He’s the only wrestler who comes to mind who opened with three straight overtime bouts at Columbus.  He has missed most of this year, but returns at 130#.  How the long layoff will impact him is open to question.  Assuming he can shake the rust off I believe it is an advantage.  It is a long season and I, generally, l believe that such a lay-off keeps a wrestler fresher and less nicked up.  However, it won’t be enough of an edge to dislodge Schlatter.  Adams is a transfer from Toledo St. John who was 2^nd at the GMVWA.  He would seem to have placement potential.  Stephenson and Young are both out of the SBC and have been sharpened by good competition.  Vince has been outstanding.  He won at Sylvania Southview and the Gorman.  I may be under-valuing him here.  The same might be said for Roush who placed at the GMVWA in a tough field.

In something of a rarity, the Firestone district is not particularly strong.  I’ve identified seven wrestlers with good credentials, but none really stand out.  San Fillippo has probably had the steadiest season while Montgomery and Wiles have shown flashes of brilliance.  Both have generally done well in major tourneys - - most recently Wiles was 2^nd at Waite and Montgomery, 5^th at the Top Gun.  The redheaded Manges looked like a terrific sophomore prospect last year - - making the sectional finals and district semi-finals.  However, I have not seen him in many bouts this year leaving his final rating based primarily on last year.

135#

Projected Champion:  Jason Barnett (Columbus DeSales)

Top Contenders

There is a certain pride of authorship with these reports and it generally manifests itself either in terms of comprehensiveness or accuracy.  That is why this weight class is so very aggravating.  In 41 of the 42  weight classes my longest streak of non-winners is two years.  At 135#, however, I haven’t got it right since 1994 (extra credit for knowing it was Brian Singleton) - - six consecutive years of failure.  Something always seems to happen.  Last year Dunfee couldn’t even wrestle in the finals after being slammed by Romano, and in 1997 Ty Morgan lost his bid for four state titles at this weight class.

This year, however, I feel very confident that I can turn this around - - or rather that Jason Barnett can do so.  He has had a fantastic high school career.  He was 5^th as a freshman and 2^nd his sophomore year losing both times to Jesse Leng.  Then last year he went 45-0 winning his first state title in the quiet, methodical, manner he appears to favor.  Not at all flashy, he parlays strength, quickness and great defensive ability to grind out win after win - - and he should end up with close to 170 in his high school career.  Very, short, he is almost impossible to score on, and we’ll see him in four more years at Ohio State.  Through he has lost three times this year (West, McIntyre, and Staylor) there is no one in Division II who can touch him.  Let me amend that.  A completely healthy Romano might make it a real bout, but that situation seems problematical at best.

By the time you read this you’ll probably know whether Romano will compete. Coach Bill Barger, always the smiling optimist, guessed it was 50-50 which means its probably much less than that. Romano was 4^th last year in a strange turn of events.  He beat Hussein to win his sectional, but then lost to him in the district finals after Hussein had upset top –choice Dunfee, 7-6.  At the state meet, Romano met Dunfee in the semi-finals and was comfortably ahead, 10-5, in the third period when he was disqualified for an illegal slam injuring an already hurt Dunfee.  Dunfee could not wrestle on Saturday so Hussein took the title by forfeit.  Romano, even if he returns at this late date, may not have time to prepare for the likes of Barnett and Ashton.

Absent Romano the Firestone District would look somewhat easier.  Ashton was a district champ at 130# last year and made it to the semis before losing 7-4 to Barnett and finishing 5^th.  He won handily at Waite.  Roff has had a great season winning at Avon Lake, Kenston, placing 2^nd at the WRC, and 4^th at Medina (losing to state champ Smith and West).  He seems very ready.  There is a sharp drop-off in performance after this top trio If Romano wrestles that leaves one spot open - - if not, two will qualify one of whom, will almost, assuredly be someone I failed to mention in this report

It is a pretty pedestrian group at Galion.  Gomoll might be the best of the group with a 19-1 record - - his only loss a 5-3 decision to Roff.  Rudy is really an excellent 130-pounder who moves up a weight now that Schultz has returned.  Simpson, Nicholas, and Asbury (Wauseon) are all solid in the Northwest District.  However, the one to watch may be the sophomore, Jameson Fee.  He has the potential to be a big winner, but only if he becomes consistent from bout to bout.  This is not a strong district and qualification this year will set him up for the next two.

Barnett will dominate at Buckeye Valley.  Henn was a state alternate last year and is the linchpin of some excellent Bexley middleweights.  Furbee, also a state alternate, has had an excellent season along the river.  He won at Union Local, Barnesville, and John Glenn and was 2^nd to West Virginia state champ Eric Noel at St. Clairsville and the OVAC.  Munyan defeated state qualifier Ferris at New Lexington and may have to do so again to qualify.

The sophomore Knull keeps getting better and should place this year after qualifying in 2000.  I think Daugherty is next best at Wilmington, but after that everything is a little hazy.  The excellent freshman Walton certified at 130#, but we may find him here.  He is someone to watch in the future.

140#

Projected Champion:  Trever Hiles (Licking Valley)

Top Contenders

Very surprisingly all of the weight classes from 130# through 171# in Division II seem to lack any depth.  That’s not to say that there aren’t one or two superior performers, but there just doesn’t seem to be much after that.  That’s very unusual in Division II and my hunch was that, perhaps, last year was a senior-oriented year that graduated the vast bulk of usual contenders.  As this chart shows:

                                                                           125-POUNDERS & ABOVE

That just isn’t true.  In fact, its amazing how close the percentage of seniors was for all three classes.  Even factoring out the three lightest weight classes there is no real difference.  So at least for now, that difference in depth remains to be explained.

 This is a weight class where opportunity beckons.  There are no unbeatable superstars, no real depth, and a lot of wrestlers still waiting to make their mark.  It is a golden opportunity for someone who gets a hot hand to do very well.  The person most likely to fill that bill is 130-pound state runner-up Trever Hiles.  Last year he took a tight one-point decision and an overtime semi-final win and earned at 2^nd place medal.  This year he comes in as the favorite after being rated 1# in the Central District all season.

The Buckeye Valley district is probably the strongest of the four.  Hiles is the principal player, but state qualifier Henn has looked very good wrestling up a weight at 145#.  He won at Hamilton Twp. and was a semi-finalist at Medina before being injured on a slam.  State qualifier Shriner was a quarter-finalist last year before losing two bouts - - the second by only a point to the excellent Woodruff.  This year he beat Shanon 7-0 at Miami Trace and beat Goad at Sheridan.  With Redmond nursing a broken arm, Razzano has moved down to challenge for a qualification berth here.  Thurston, Smith, Yudaz (St. Clairsville and Shearer (Watkins Memorial) are other possibilities.

Wood just missed state placement last year at this weight class after taking the district title.  However, Markley, a state 4^th at 125#, may be closing to passing him.  Wood has pretty much dominated except for a match-up with Ryan West at the GMVWA.  Markley started a bit slow failing to place at the Ironman or Medina, but looked very good at the Top Gun losing a one-point shootout to the excellent Galchick in the finals.  After the top duo, Harmon and Petro are probably next, but there will be plenty of challengers.

The Galion District could be topsy-turvy.  State qualifier Davids has had some uneven performances, but he can be very good. He was a state quarter-finalist last year.  At the SBC Duals he pinned Vreeland and hammered Pfeil, 12-1, while dominating that weight class.  Squire has been an impressive surprise performing well week after week.  He might be able to grab a low place.  Harris is also good while Jarrett should do well at this weight class.  I am curious to see how the sophomore Adkins places here.  He looked good at last year’s district, but I’m not sure he has built on that success

Radkowsky and Runyan are very close as we saw in their exciting 8-7 semi-final bout at Kenston.  Radkowsky has won at Avon Lake, was 2^nd at Kenston (to state champ Linsker), and 4^th at the WRC.  Neither he nor Markley placed Medina, but their consolation bout was a 12-10 thriller won by Markley.  The real question at Firestone is Dave Garner.  He was at 145# last year and entered the district with 15 losses.  Still he won three bouts there including a big upset of Joe Hada and came close to qualifying.  He has missed most of this year, but I was impressed by his toughness last year.  Berquist was a state alternate last season, and I always thought he was talented.  Still, he seems to find ways to lose bouts when I’m around.  Tuttle and Bartley would be reasonable  state qualifiers and they along with Bartley have the best chance here.

145#

Projected Champion:  Aaron Woodruff (Walsh Jesuit)

Top Contenders

Bill Barger has been and continues to be one of the most successful coaches in Ohio high school history.  A tremendous motivator and a master strategist he, has  an uncanny sense of how to put media pressure on himself leaving his team free to perform at peak efficiency.  As a Vietnam veteran, I was reminded of him while reading Tacitus not so long ago.  “On the field of battle it is a disgrace to the chief to be surpassed in valor by his companions.  A disgrace to the companions not to come up to the valor of their chief”.  To defend him and to put down one’s acts of heroism to his credit that is really what they mean by allegiance.  The chief fights for victory, the companions for their chief”.  Somehow he has translated that philosophy into the development of wrestlers who peak at the critical moment, and who win when it counts most.

My choice at this weight class, Aaron Woodruff, is a typical Walsh product.  He refuses to concede anything to an opponent.  Anything you get in a match with him must be completely earned.  Last year he was a district 4^th and caught eventual champ Frisch in the first round - - losing 7-6.  He then won five consolation bouts to finish 3^rd.  It was an eerie parallel to his district results where he lost an overtime tiebreaker I the first round and then won four bouts to qualify. This year he won the Top Gun, Powerade, and Mayfield Super 8, while finishing 3^rd at the Ironman.  He’s like wrestling barbed wire.  Every time he touches you it hurts.

While this is not a particularly strong weight class anywhere, the most depth clearly resides at Firestone.  Busnick was a state qualifier as a freshman, but got a horrendous district draw last year losing to state runner-up Durkin and then by two points to Woodruff.  He was 2^nd at North Canton to the excellent Parsons and was a dominating champ at Wadsworth crushing Ames is the finals.  At the Top Gun he was a very solid 3^rd losing only to Paterniti of Pennsylvania in overtime.  He’ll be away from Woodruff and should be a finalist.  Sutcliffe, Underation and Slattery, are all on the periphery of possible placement and will be a tough match-up for almost everyone.  I like the sophomore Brenner, but he might still be a year away.  Long, could be someone that could ride a hot weekend to Columbus, while Ging is likely to be disappointed.

Black is a Van Wert transfer who has sparkled at Defiance.  A state alternate last year he has racked up an impressive number of falls while winning at Sylvania, Southview and Perrysburg.  He’s the kind of wrestler you’ll want to draw away from, and then hope someone else upsets him.  Very strong placement potential for Black.  Deering was a state qualifier at 130# last year, and has moved up three weight classes.  He was 3^rd at Tiffin and 5^th at North Canton wrestling a tough schedule.  One worrisome loss was a 15-3 bombing by Bowers  Glorioso won handily at Tiffin and was 2^nd at 152# at the Gorman.  He could easily move ahead of Deering.  Diefenthaler is a solid SBC wrestler at this weight class while Ames was runner-up at Wadsworth.  A dark-horse candidate might be Westhoven Hay(Bellevue)

State qualifier Zadzi, heads a rather ill defined Buckeye Local  District field.  He missed much of the year recently won in impressive fashion at New Lexington.  He beat Black, 7-4, last year in their go-to-state bout, but I think Black is much better this year.  Lovell did not impress me much at Brecksville at 152# losing

10-0 in the first round and failing to place.  However, he was 3^rd at the CIT and 2^nd at Mayfield losing only to Woodruff.  Goad might be at 140# although he has spent most of the year at this weight.  Goodfellow has dropped from 152# and could be a major factor at this district.

There is not a lot of placement potential at Wilmington. Only Smith makes the left column in my grid, and that in the ninth spot.  I’m expecting very close competition at that district, but that is unlikely to translate into very may wins at Columbus.

152#

Projected Champion:  Keith Cupp (Hamilton Twp.)

Top Contenders

Last year in what was clearly not Hall of Fame forecasting, I ranked Keith Cupp as the seventh best 152-pounder. Although I did add that “they (he and Bergman) may be far better than my ratings indicate as they have shown rapid improvement as the season progressed”.  Clearly I undervalued Cupp as he finished at 34-0 while winning his first state title.  He was the lowest rated wrestler to win a state title in Division II and the second lowest overall (only Lukens was lower rated).  My first hint that Cupp was far better than I had realized were his final two bouts at his district where he shut out Heiland, 6-0, and tech falled Wes Adams.  It was Heiland again in the state finals and he made it closer but Cupp still won by three.  This year he remains undefeated including a huge win at the Top Gun.  There, he won three bouts by one point including a 13-12 shoot-out with my Division I choice Chris Kallai.  Wickert, his top rival in Columbus and the Brecksville champ, lasted less than two minutes with him in the dual.

Wickert did win two bouts at last year’s state tournament and was one point from placement.  He won at Brecksville and Reynoldsburg, but was upset in very first round of the CIT by Galvan 14-6. He then won six consolation bouts to capture 4^th place.  Being away from Cupp in the bracket at Columbus should help.  Chinn was a state qualifier at 140#, but started the year all the way up at 160#.  He was only 1-2 at that weight at Medina including a loss to Maxworthy.  Wilson, Heston, Moore (Beaver Local) and Tacosik (Union Local) are other possibilities.

The Firestone District is loaded.  The very tall and angular Kearney was 4^th last year at 140# and is a potential finalist this time around.  He nipped Hahn to win at Smithville and was 4^th at that brutal weight class at Wadsworth - - losing to Division II and III picks Kallai and Schaefer, the latter by only a point.  He was 4^th at the Top Gun losing again to Kallai.  Almost all of his losses are by two points or less, so he keeps it close.  Galvan has been a complete surprise to me.  He started the year inauspiciously at 160# and then dropped for the CIT.  Wow!  He mashed Wickert in the first round, had a 15-0 technical fall over Caponi, pinned Marcus Blanks, and then beat Marzec by seven in the finals.  He is for real.  The freshman Hahn has wrestled everyone tough.  He was a finalist at Smithville and won five bouts at the Top Gun to finish 7^th.  He’s a star in the making.  Gilkey is my choice for the last berth, but Hastings, Leonette, Sammon and Smith are all close.  All four of the qualifiers - - whoever they turn out to be - - should do well at the Schottenstein.

It’s not nearly as strong as a group at Gallon.  Incorvia, who has success at 160# this year .has dropped back to 152# and should be a force at this weight class.  He is a defending sectional champ who this year placed at Medina while winning, overall, 22 out of 27 bouts.  The little known Asmus was one bout from Columbus last year and should easily qualify this year.  Quillen is another one of those solid journeyman wrestlers so prevalent in SBC.  He was a state qualifier two years ago.  The sophomore Maxworthy was a state junior high runner-up two years ago who is starting to blossom.  He has wrestled a tough schedule including both the Top Gun and Medina.  Gibbs could be the upset-maker here. He was 2^nd at solon and won four bouts at Brecksville.  Bishop and Jacobs (Bellevue) are also solid possibilities.

There is almost nothing at Wilmington.  Rush was a district finalist and state qualifier at 171# last year.  However, he was a little small for that weight class and was outscored at the state level 24-2.  This year after being pinned twice at Graham, he decided to move down to 152# opening up the line-up for Hoke and Dennis.  The verdict is still out on how this will work.  At the very tough Top Gun he lost two close bouts.  However, by tourney time, this problem should be resolved, and he is likely to perform well.        

160#

Projected Champion:  Grant Savelli (Lake Catholic)

Top Contenders 

For whatever reason predicting Division II individual champions has always been a difficult task.  My success ratio in this class is about 20 percentage points lower than it is in Division I or Division III.  There is no obvious reason why this should be so since each class receives roughly equivalent analytical time.  I had thought that as these schools emulated the big schools in traveling to larger tournaments with a state-wide make-up that my results would improve.  It hasn’t happened but I will comment that most close followers of wrestling have noted the same trend.  Somehow there are more surprises, more upsets, more strange endings in Division II than anywhere else.

I have had Savelli as my top choice just about all season as he has maintained a narrow, but definite advantage over that time span.  He is just marvelous on his feet and that should tell the tale at this weight class.  Last year he was the district champ at Firestone and finished 4^th with three state wins.  He likes to make it a ten move “ match figuring he’ll win the majority of takedowns.  He has been champ at Kenston and the CIT and 2^nd at 171# to the much bigger Camargo at Coffman.  His recent win over Tieche cements his position as the “top dog” at this weight.

State qualifier Turchin is now a sophomore and he can place this year.  He was 1^st at Solon 2^nd at the Dies, and 5^th at Medina - - losing a one-pointer to Hoke.  There is a drop-off after this top duo with the tandem of Abbott and Carthen probably next best.  Abbott won at Avon Lake and Kenston and was 3^rd at North Canton.  He lost to Hoke and Carter at Medina, the former, by only one point.  Schmidt is right there needing very little more to qualify while Marhoffer has come on strong and may be the generator of upsets.  Savel and Stulberg will also play a role here.

Tieche, now just a junior, is already a two-time state qualifier and defending district champion at this weight class.  He pondered 152#, but will wrestle here.  He lost to Patzakis by a point in the North Canton finals and was 2^nd (at 152#) to Marzec at Tiffin.  Savelli took him down five times in a recent 11-5 loss, but that is his only defeat by a Division II performer.  Bergman is a returning state qualifier who has battled the “Bergman Injury Plague” at Oak Harbor, which seems to have affected most of the five of them on the team.  After him, Lewis is probably next best, but that may not be good enough to place.

Hoke just missed state qualification last year, I believe, he has moved.ahead of two who did make it- -Jenkins and Carter.  He defeated Jenkins to win at Graham and was 3^rd at Medina losing only to Ruberg.  His 5^th place finish at the Top Gun included 10-7 loss to Carmony.  Carter and Jenkins should still qualify easily leaving only spot open for state qualifier Linkinhofer, Catanzaro and Holcomb to battle over.

It’s terribly complicated at Buckeye Local.  Top Gun, champion Carmony - - a transfer from Wooster - - is probably best while state qualifier Cooper is close behind.  Brown is the top-rated 160-pounder in the Columbus area and was 4^th at the CIT.  Nestor was 5^th at the OVAC and was a state alternate last year.  He has shown improvement in the second half.  Zugg has already won three tourneys and has to be factored into the analysis.  That leaves Whited, Gates (Warren) and Hurst, all of whom have good credentials - - including the latter’s state qualification last years.  Williams was 2^nd at the Top Gun while Dennie (St. Charles) and Kroon Van Diest (Buckeye Valley) have had solid seasons.  It will be interesting to see the final bracket sheet at this district..

#171  

Projected Champion:  Kenny Jones (Olmsted Falls)

Top Contenders

The competition last year at this weight class was incredible.  Rarely have we seen a bracket sheet with so many talented and well credentialed young men.  However, P. J. Jones, Villers, Canty, Harmon and Weimer have graduated.  Scholes, Meggyesy, and Rush are at different weights, and Bergman is hurt.  What that leave is a wide-open competition with some new names and a few 160’s who have migrated up one weight class.

Certainly a good rule of thumb when you don’t know who to choose - - whether we’re talking wrestling forecast or NFL draft - - is pick the best available athlete.  With my choice of Kenny Jones, I have done that - - and done it well.  Jones, the All-Ohio running back on the Bulldog’s state championship team is a sensational athlete.  Quick, agile and strong  he is also an excellent wrester.  Last year he was 3^rd at 160# losing only a 5-4 quarter-final bout to eventual state runner-up Birden.  This year he beat Dennis, Rogacki, and Watts to win at Medina and was an easy winner at the Dies.  He has to be considered a slight favorite at this weight class.

Jones emerges from the tough Galion district.  Dymond and Bergman are both returning state qualifiers with Dymond shooting for his third state visit.  Last year he lost his placement bout to Mautz that also deprived him of a 40-victory season.  Bergman has had injury issues but was back for the SBC duals - - but did not meet Dymond there.  State qualifier Rogacki has been winning low places at the big tourneys (6^th at GMVWA and 5^th at Medina). He’ll need to pick it up to qualify again with Brown, Hurlbert and Siler nearby.  Brown has been very good while Hurlbert has missed much of the year to injury.  Last year he was a district semi-finalist before being eliminated by Bergman and Crompton.  Sir Louis (Medina Highland) and Imwalle (St. Marys Memorial) are other possibilities with former finishing 2^nd at the Dies to Jones.

Hackett was 2^nd at the Top Gun, and could be a finalist here as well.  Last year he was a sectional champion, but was unable to compete at the district level.  He won at Grandview. Defeating the excellent Morrison and also had a win over Divison III champion Smolk.

The Buckeye Local District is also strong.  Mautz was 6^th last year and has been good this year wining most recently at Miami Trace.  State qualifier Crompton returns, but both Sowers and Whitlatch may have passed him.  Both have had great years with Sowers winning at the OVAC, John Glenn, and Barnesville while Whitlatch won at Dover and was 7^th at the Top Gun after giving Dennis a real battle.  Razzano is another possibility with Jewell and Richardson (Steubenville).  somehow hoping for the best.  The excellent freshman Shonk who won two bouts at this district will miss the entire year due to injury.

The young Dennis is just another great freshman at Graham that began with Jim Jordan and produces at least one each year - - many at the middle or upper weights.  He lost his first bout of the year to Lowry, but won at Graham and was a finalist at Medina losing to Jones.  He was 4^th at the Top Gun.  State qualifiers, Everhart and Van Ausdal return but the unheralded Boscarino may be moving ahead of them after big wins at Carroll and Eaton.  Watts has come on strong at the end of the year and has a solid shot at qualification.  Lautenschlager (Benjamin Logan) and Randolph (New Richmond) are long-shot possibilities in addition to those mentioned.

The Firestone District is probably the weakest district.  The sophomore Vlllers is already a returning state qualifier with good credentials. He won at North Canton. Lowry is another of the many Walsh mystery men.  He opened the year by beating Dennis, 5-1, in an early round of the Ironman and was then injured in the next round.  We have not seen him since.  If back and healthy, he would be an enormous factor both at this weight class and in the team competition.  The erratic Hartman is either 3^rd best or 33^rd best - - but who can tell.  After that its wide open.

189#

Projected Champion:  Justin Scholes (Lake Catholic)

Top Contenders

Finally we come to a weight class with excellent depth and a number of outstanding performers.  Its a nice mix of wrestlers who have moved up from 171#, and, those that competed at this weight class last year.  I think the pairings will be critical since we have a number of different styles represented by the top performers.  The Firestone District looks particularly strong and that may in part give the pairings a somewhat lopsided look.  In addition, major injuries to some of the top echelon boys like Scholes and Bergman, lend an element of uncertainty to this weight class.  However, it should be one of the most entertaining and interesting contests in Division II with at least 10 returning state qualifiers and some sharp newcomers as well.

My choice is Justin Scholes who has been 4^th the last two years at 171# finishing behind Jones, Villers, and Hieber in 1999 and back of Jones, Villers and Canty in 2000.  If nothing else he has outlasted them and now as a senior its his turn to win - - or so it would seem.  However, he was hurt early on at the Reno tournament and is just now coming back.  Still he has the experience and talent to overcome this excellent field. 

Much of his competition will be right with him at the Firestone District.  Meggyesy is very good and will give Scholes all he can handle.  A state qualifier last year, he was 1-2 at Columbus losing to state champions Jones and Canty.  This year he beat Way at Smithville and split two bouts with the exceptional Delguyd at the Top Gun and Wadsworth.  He’ll be away from Scholes and that could be your state final pairing.  State qualifiers Miller and McAvinew are also at Firestone.  I undervalued Miller last year as he escaped that very tough 189# district at Firestone last year, but then lost two state bouts.  He won at Solon but was 2^nd at the Dies to McAvinew losing 5-1.  Both of them should qualify.  That would leave Sater, just down from 215# and Adelman at home the week after districts.  Sater was 2^nd at Waite while Adelman was 3^rd at the Top Gun with wins over Klaus and Beechum.

Keough, now a junior, is a returning state qualifier who has stepped it up this year.  In 2000 he beat Miller but then lost twice and failed to place.  This year he won the SWOCA with a big win over state champion, Lukens, won at Reading, and was 2^nd at Carroll losing to my Division I pick Clemens.  That is his only loss and this fine free-styler could be a finalist.  State qualifiers Moyer and Asbury are also strong.  Moyer has had a great year winning at Eaton and Xenia, and finishing 2^nd to Keough at Edgewood.  He had a tough state draw last year - - Shrewsberry and McGovern - - and lost twice, but has placement potential now.    Asbury, my Division III choice last year, should qualify leaving but one spot available for the rest of the field.

Kirst towers over the field at Galion.  A tried and true pinner he was a state quarter-finalist at this class last year.  He won his second Gorman on a fall, and beat Grifith to win at Tiffin.. He has an asthmatic condition which he has overcome and the results are easy to see.  Bergman was a state qualifier last year, but has wrestled very little this season.  His availability is questionable, but the lack of much strength after Kirst would give him cause for hope.  Blomquist was a Medina finalist who should do well here while Hays, Jarrett, and Gavlak are among other possibilities.  Hays won two district bouts last year and was second this season at Marion Harding in what has to be the year’s fastest final - - 20 seconds.

Its very, very jammed up at Buckeye Local.  Parish has been a dominant figure in Central Ohio.  Its difficult to see him doing anything but winning here.  State qualifier Sydebotham is up from 160# and has struggled a bit.  Trimmer has won at Barnesville and placed at Medina and the Top Gun.  This entire field is tightly bunched with Marczika (Watkins Memorial) the best of those not rated.

215#

Projected Champion:  Tomas Rodriguez (Orange)

Top Contenders

I have pointed out some likely two-man competitions at other weight classes - - Olds vs. Leckrone, Gordon vs. Parsons, Klinger vs. Pycraft, etc. - - but the absolute best example should be at 215#.  Last year both Moran and Rodriguez were at the loaded 189# class.  At the sectional Moran was 2^nd while Rodriguez captured 3^rd but at the district level Rodriguez won their semi-final bout on a fall..

At the state meet, Grove upset both of them by a point with Rodriguez finishing 3^rd and Moran 5^th.   Again, this year they’ll see each other at sectional, district, and state action each time as finalist.  It’s unlikely that either one can sweep all three bouts so the pertinent question is who will win the last one

Moran, already signed with Central Michigan, has wrestled a far more rigorous schedule this year than Rodriguez.  He has won titles at Avon Lake, Medina, Kenston, and the Top Gun with outstanding efficiency and a high percentage of falls.  Rodriguez is an impressive athlete who wrestles a far less testing schedule which should see him fresh and healthy at sectional time.  Both have had relatively close bouts with Campea and there is little to choose by way of comparative scores.  Incidentally both will be light 215’s but that should not be critical.  I think Rodriguez is the better athlete in terms of long term potential but loves football and so has a split set of objectives.  Still at crunch time you have to go with the athlete.

I think Moran might win their first bout, but Rodriguez will have time to figure out Moran’s style.  By the second or third go-round, both boys will know what the other likes to do and it will come down to strength and athleticism.  That’s when I think Rodriguez will win.

Three of my top four choices emerge from the Firestone District.  While Moran and Rodriguez are likely to dominate, Yates should have excellent placement chances.  He was 2^nd at Solon and the Dies both times losing to Division III choice Caponi and was 4^th at Medina losing to Barrentine. The fourth berth is wide open with folks like Smithville champ, Sommer, Kenston runner-up, Theobold, and Dolce having the inside track.

Defending district champ and state 5^th place finisher, Jason Lackmeyer heads the Wilmington District.  Rumors have flourished about a possible move to 189#, but he has wrestled every competition I’ve recorded at 215#.  He already has won titles at Eaton and the SWOCA, but was 2^nd at both Carroll and the CIT to Barrentine.  His only challenger is state qualifier, Rice - - up from 189# who has wrestled a vigorous schedule.  He won at Graham and the Top Gun and placed at the Ironman.  He also has placement potential.  The rest of this district is well below this top duo with Sears, Atkinson, Epperson, and Creech being rated.  Of this group, Epperson has the best chance of upsetting one of the highly rated boys.

The Division I star Barrentine has beaten Yates, Lackmeyer, Carver, and almost Moran.  The real exception was Penton, who defeated him in overtime to win the GMVWA.  Last year Penton missed state qualification by one point and ended up as state alternate.  This year he has been exceptional capped by his victory over Barrentine.  Both state qualifier Balogh and Edgington will challenge him at Galion.  That district will send four solid wrestlers to Columbus all of whom will have placement possibilities.  Balogh was a heavyweight last year, who has moved down to 215# and had a few bumps in the road including a recent loss to Levy.  Edgington keeps getting better and he could be a finalist at this district.  Sabo, Levy, and Carver will battle it out for the fourth spot.

Some stiff very competition should occur at Buckeye Local.  Fisher lost a close 9-7 battle to Lackmeyer at the CIT and then beat Warren and Dolce in finishing 5^th.  He was 3^rd at Mayfield in a tough weight class and 5^th at Brecksville losing to Edgington on a fall.  Anderson won at the Gorman while Warren has been a steady placer.  Jones was a surprise 2^nd at the Top Gun, but that was not a very strong weight class there.  Rice barbecued him in the finals 11-1.  Hoppel, the Junior High State heavyweight champion, has had quite a freshman year capped off by the OVAC title last week.  He is the son of three-time champ Carl and  may well match that total with continued improvement.  Jewell is good upset potential here.

Hvy.

Projected Champion:  Al RABER (Marlington)

Top Contenders

We have been blessed in the last decade by some dominating heavyweights who have made wining state titles look easy.  People like Fickell, Anderson, Kelly and Welch have cruised to the championship with nary a close bout on the bracket sheet.  That won’t be the case this year as there is no standout heavyweight that towers above what is a deep and competitive field.  It is also a year when there is a real diversity in style and body type among the top contenders.  This will make bracketing very important, and is likely to lead to some major upsets often engendered by such clashes in build and technique.  This is one of the best and most interesting of all 42 weights classes and should be a joy to watch.

My choice is Al Raber who qualified, but did not place at 215# last year.  He is a fast aggressive attacking heavyweight who has won major tournaments at North Canton, Dies and Top Gun.  This style is not without risk - - particularly against mammoth heavyweights like Lane, Cottrell, and Bryant.  It also puts him in peril against Miller whose patented head lock is made to order for heavyweights who charge inside.  Still Raber, now at 260 pounds has to muscle to deal with the big guys and the speed to defeat them.  The one thing he’ll need is referees who’ll make the big guys do more than use their bulk to defend.

The dynamite District is at Wilmington.  Miller was a Division I state qualifier two years ago at Dayton Carroll losing in the quarter-finals to Stepanovich.  Then last year, now at Chaminade, he was upset in the first round by eventual state runner-up Valvoda, and after winning three consolation bouts (including one over Campbell) finished 6^th.  This year his only loss was to Division I Canning, 6-5, and he has dominated everywhere else - - including all falls at the CIT.  He is a devastating pinner right at the heavyweight limit, and he has the talent to win it all.  Lane was in Division III last year finishing as state runner-up to Lingruen.  About 10 pounds lighter than Miller he moves well and has has lots of experience.  Interestingly he has beaten my Division I choice, Kenny Leckrone, three times in the last two years (while losing once).  Ryan is the only undefeated wrestler at this weight class at Wilmington, but I’ve rated him below Miller and lane.  That could be a mistake.  However, Miller did pin him at last year’s Districts and Ryan failed to qualify.  Ryans has won at the SWOCA on four falls and that is indicative of his ability.  State qualifier Campbell has only lost twice this year - - once to Lane - - and is an awfully good wrestler to be rated fourth best in a district.  If the district bracket sheet is ugly - - in other words its impossible for the top four to all qualify - - than Enck or Katris are probably next in line.

As you know “Kim Fifty Fingers” no longer types this report (she did about 23 of them and for Sandra - - her replacement this year it has been a long six or seven days.  However this is the last one to be typed so that whooshing sound you here is one of relief.  Raber exits from a far easier district.  Reeder and Ridenour are both very competent heavyweights, but they shouldn’t overly worry Raber.  Reeder, behind state runner-up Valvoda last year, has done well wrestling a difficult schedule.  He was 2^nd at Avon Lake and Kenston while finishing 3^rd at the WRC.  Griffin and Mezzacappa have upset potential here.

The Olmsted Falls Section should dominate the Galion District.  There are five state caliber competitors but only four will get out.  The fiercesome Bryant looks to be the best with strong performances at Medina, the Dies (losing only to Raber), and the CVCA Duals.  Cullin was runner-up at the Top Gun losing to Raber 3-2.  Powell is undefeated with titles at Avon Lake and Avon.  State qualifier Bucha has lost, but twice while Dzurnak won at the giant Brecksville Tourney.  It’s quite a sectional, and its very difficult to think that one of the group won’t even reach the district level at Galion where they’ll meet up with Benner, Seal, T. Edginton (Bellevue), Beier (Oak Harbor), and Brown (Napoleon) in another battle royal.  The four survivors by this time may be too exhausted to perform at peak levels in Columbus.

There is not nearly that much at Buckeye Local.  The one giant (no pun intended) exception is Cottrell.  He’s often not as aggressive as one might hope, but he knows how to win.  He has excellent placement chances, and with good fortune could be a finalist.  Warren and state qualifier Kassner are next best, but cannot “go” with Cottrell..

Teams

 1.   St. Paris Graham – If they wrestle to their full potential I think they’ll win easily. The five lightweights should produce two champions (Ott and Wooten and possibly three placers (Knull, Evans, and Markley).  The freshman Dennis is a great talent and Hoke and Rice can score at the state level.  A big bonus would be Rush at peak efficiency at 152#

2.      Columbus DeSales – Schlatter and Barnett are superstars who could score nearly 50 points between them but then what?  Fisher and Brown are probably two of their best hopes with A Pizzuro and Razzano also possibilities.  Burns who was 6^th last year could make it very close with Graham if he grabs a high place.

3.      Lake Catholic – Savelli, Scholes and Constantino all have finalist potential with the first two looking like favorites.  If Mulhall is out for the year that will truly hurt them because he could score at the state level.  That would leave it up to Runyon, Inghram, SanFillippo, and Slattery.  This is a team that could move up if everything falls into place.

4.         Kenston- Moran is a sure, big-time state scorer, but if I’m right about Deubel he’ll score another 20 points himself.  They have a boatload of other possible scorers headed by Hurley, Roff, and Radkowsky.  If they get a Faist or a Ging or Reeder to Columbus they could move up.

5.         Olmsted Falls – They open up with two possible finalists in the freshman Smith and the senior Stoffer.  They’ll follow that up with Jones, Bryant, and Blomquist at the upper weights and that is an excellent trio.  If Williams, Ahern, Carver, or Adkins can help they’ll have a shot at some kind of team trophy.

6.         Walsh Jesuit    They’ve pulled out some miracle State finishes in the past, but getting in the Top Three this year would be the topper.  This is a team that is filled with unknowns.  What we are sure about is Woodruff and Zupancic as potential finalists, and Gulosh as a fast-rising star.  Romano is also a likely finalist if he is in top form, but no one yet knows if he’ll even compete.  Again, we haven’t seen Garner and Lowry and those are two more state scorers.  They are the mystery team.

7.      Perkins –Two-time Pentorn is gone but runner-up Finn returns and is the rock this team is built upon.  The transfer Schmnidt could be a big scorer at 112# while two-time qualifier Tieche should help at 160#.  Then there’s McCarthy, Pfeil, Stephenson, and Deering all of whom could be a big help 

8.         Hamilton Twp.—Defending state champ Cupp needs to replicate last year’s performance to jump-start his team’s hopes.  Hackett can be a scorer at 171# while state qualifier Sydebotham, Jones, and Dotson are also possibilities.

9.         Norton—They have a team with three possible state scorers in Yates, Turchin, and Underation.  The key will be for Underation to escape that tough Firestone District at 145#.  After this trio there is no one else to help..

10.       Triway—This is probably a two-man team with both Meggyesy and Kearney looking to be finalists.  Sommer could help at 215# and, maybe, even the other Kearney at heavyweight.

You can contact me at John@Ohiowrestler.com