WWW.OhioWrestler.com would like to thank Brian Brakeman for all the hard work it took putting out the High School Wrestling Forecast and for the opportunity to share it with all our loyal e-patrons.

2002

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

FORECAST

(31st Annual Edition)

Written By:
Brian Brakeman

The High School Wrestling Forecast (commonly referred to as the Brakeman Report) was provided to the The Ohio Wrestling Sport Page (A web site dedicated to Ohio Wrestling, supported by the Wrestling Community in the State of Ohio).

Copyright 2002, Reproduction of this material for profit without written consent is prohibited.

DIVISION I

One of the issues that impact this report is the uncertainty as to what teams will compete at the Toledo Central District and the Perry District.  That’s because the Central District has been divided into three sectionals.  Two of the sectionals will send qualifiers to Toledo Central, while the third, at Westland, will send its top four finishers to Perry.  The problem is that sectional assignments will not be made until after this report is completed.  After discussions with several Columbus coaches I’ve been lead to believe that most of the seeded teams will opt for sectionals that lead to the Toledo Central District.  So, somewhat arbitrarily, I will assume most of the wrestlers – except for Westland and the city teams will head to Toledo Central, while those others will go to Perry.  Undoubtedly, I will be in error on some of these where I look at individual districts, but it will not really impact the overall ratings.

103 #

Projected Champion:  DAVID FEDERICO (WILLOUGHBY SOUTH)

Top Contenders

This is a particularly down year in Division I with substantially less overall talent than I can ever remember.  While there are some excellent wrestlers – Moos, McIntire, Pflug and Pliev – and some deep weight classes – 215# is an outstanding example – there are a number of weak weight classes and many without significant depth.  I thought that might be due to strong senior placement last year, but the numbers for the three classes does not vary that much (52 senior placers in Division I versus 48 in Division II, and 46 in Division III).  Whatever the reason the normally deep bracket sheets we see in Division I are not, in general, present this year.

However, there is good depth at 103# including three state placers, some solid juniors, and two junior high state titlists.  My choice is the excellent junior Dave Federico who finished fourth last year.  Federico, a former junior high state champ, finished 42-5 with both of his state losses to Nino Paglia.  This year he won handily at Brecksville and the Midwest Classic – with wins over Iovine, Brown, and Dearwester.  He is an exceptional defensive wrestler who attacks only in high percentage situations.  I’d like to see him a little more aggressive, but not having trailed this year he has not been called upon to rally from a deficit.

Many of the challenges that Federico will face emanate from the Wilmington District.  In particular, the trio of Mathis, Goode, and Dearwester will test all of their opponents.  State qualifier Mathis got “bombed” twice last year at Columbus, but has rebounded with a vengeance.  He had four falls at the SWOCA, including a final round decking of Goode, and then beat Dearwester to win at St. Xavier.  His only loss was at 112#.  Goode came out of nowhere last year as a freshman after he went 10-10 in the regular season.  He swept to both a sectional and district title and then won three bouts at States to finish 6^th.  His only loss this year was to the aforementioned Mathis, and he won handily at the CIT.  Dearwester is the kind of wrestler you love to watch – an attacking whirlwind coming at his opponents from all angles.  He was 3^rd at Brecksville and 2^nd at St. Xavier.  There is excellent depth at this district and besides those already rated,  watch for Kostoff (Butler), Puckett (Sidney) and Clausing (Miamisburg).

Federico will also face stiff challenges from the Toledo Central District.  Iovine was 5^th last year (with two wins over Goode), and this year was 2^nd at Medina and 3^rd at the Midwest Classic.  Federico beat him badly at the Midwest, but it may not be so easy the next time.  Metcalf was in a strange situation last year at Perrysburg.  Both he and Zychowicz certified at 103# and, somehow, there was unhappiness that Metcalf was forced to move to 112#.  That is likely the reason why Metcalf now wrestles for Anthony Wayne.  At any rate Zychowicz did not get out of the Mentor District at 103#, while Metcalf qualified at 112#.  He won two bouts at Columbus, but now returns to 103# for his senior year.  His only loss so far was to Compton in the Wadsworth final.  Wanner, Hiltner, and Priestas make up a strong trio fighting for the last two berths.

I don’t see a lot at Perry – although, of course, some of the Columbus 103’s could be here rather than at Toledo Central.  Wiley and Anthony could battle for a low place, but will need a very hot weekend to do better than that.  Shackle, only a freshman, was a junior high state champion two years ago, but lost to Mitcheff in that tournament last year.  He was 1^st  at North Canton earlier this year, and with improvement will be a major factor in the future.  The last qualifying berth is up for grabs with Gasser, Rogers, Borchert, and maybe Weinman (Brunswick) in the hunt.

It is an interesting mix of contenders at Mentor.  Federeico has already beaten Brown, 3-0, at the Midwest Classic, but Brown is very strong and solid.  He had a bad weekend at the Powerade, but should be a major factor here.  Light was 3^rd at Medina and 1^st at Mayfield, and this freshman is a strong pinner.  Not only is he good, but the fact that he is blind has, I’ve noticed, taken his opponents out of their normal game plan.  I would not, however, suggest that somehow compensates for his loss of sight.  The freshman Mitcheff and the sophomore Bugara will battle for the last spot.  Hunt, a great free-styler, wrestled at Beachwood as a freshman last year.  Now wrestling for JFK, he could be the first city wrestler in some time to reach Columbus. 

112 #

Projected Champion:  RYAN RIGGS (MASSILLON PERRY)

Top Contender 

The 112 pound weight is generally loaded with state finalists, state placers, and state qualifiers.  Usually underclassmen win at 103#, and, in a natural progression move up a weight class.  In addition, many of the 112’s stay at the weight while some exceptional freshmen jump in, too.  It didn’t happen this year.  The two finalists at 103# last year (LaFollette and Gilsdorf) are indeed at 112#, but both of their schools are Division II this year.  The third place finisher (Paglia) jumped to 125# while the other three placers all stayed at 103#.  Not only that, but every 112# placer moved to a different weight class.  Yes, there are the great freshmen 112’s – Schlatter, Opfer, and Lipp-- but none wrestled in Division I.  So we have, I’m guessing, the extraordinary situation of no returning state placers and just a handful of returning state qualifiers.  It is a weight class, without question, just waiting to be won.

Frankly, I can’t write a persuasive paragraph for anyone winning at this weight.  Riggs has not had the kind of year that I anticipated.  He was 4^th at the very tough Ironman and 3^rd at Medina after getting bombed by the freshman Horne.  However, he did come back at Mayfield and the State Duals – winning both – including a win over Horne.  My view is that he is struggling with the weight.  That means the first couple rounds are perilous for him, and that is an issue that he’ll have to surmount.  It shouldn’t be too much of a problem at the sectional or district level, but will be a real danger at the three-day state meet.  Besides, I expect the entire Perry team to move it up a notch as we head toward tournament time.  Actually, I picked Riggs because Robin Rayfield doesn’t have a son at this weight class.

I’ve been assured that Pickerington will be at the Toledo Central District so the Perry District should not be terrifically difficult.  The one real obstacle is Cika who was 3^rd at Brecksville and went 11-10 with Wornoff before losing in overtime.  The other two qualifiers are likely to be marginal performers at the state level.

At one point I thought Wornoff might be my choice at this class.  After all he defeated state champion LaFollette four times last year (but not this year) and lost an overtime tiebreaker to state finalist Gilsdorf in the quarter-finals.  He opened the year with a title at Edison, but Zychowicz pinned him at Hudson, LaFollette defeated him twice, and I’ve changed my mind.  In fact, Medina champ Madsen may well be the best at the Mentor District.  Again, the two that qualify after this top duo will be suspect at the state level.  Pedro and DeJesus might be slight favorites for the last two spots, but both Kleinman and Ginter have been very good lately.  A wild card here might be the aggressive Armstrong (JFK). 

Zychowicz, too, has been at the top of my many lists.  After a disappointing district result last year he opened the season with big wins at Hudson and Wadsworth, pinning state champ Monsman and Wornoff in the finals.  At Perrysburg, however, he was 2^nd to Kissinger, and I moved Riggs ahead of him.  That may end up being a mistake because clearly he has the talent to win at this weight class.  Horne will be his big challenge at the Toledo Central District.  A state junior high runner-up last year (losing only to Schlatter) he beat Riggs, 14-3, at Medina and finished second to Madsen overall.  He has the ability to beat anyone at this class.  State qualifier Mossor will also be a factor along with a number of good Central District wrestlers – McCreary, Gruneisen, Hauff, and Belcher (Mt. Vernon).  Factor in Dreschel, Russell, McCarthy (Toledo St. John) and Schuller (Toledo Central Catholic) and there’ll be some very competitive bouts.

The two big guns at Wilmington are state qualifiers Watson and Luce.  They both won titles at the giant GMVWA (with Luce winning at 119#), and have been excellent all year.  Last year Watson and Luce were a combined 1-4 at the state meet --that is unlikely to happen this year.  McKee is probably third best here, with SWOCA champ Neal, Pierson, and Shields also potential qualifiers.

119 #

Projected Champion:  MARK MOOS (ST. EDWARD) 

Top Contenders

In last year’s report I singled out Moos as the best junior lightweight in the country, and that was aptly demonstrated by his perfect record against very tough competition.  He won several of the toughest tournaments in the country (Beast of the East, Ironman, Powerade, and Mayfield) and cruised through the state tourney process with only one tough bout (12-8 win over the redoubtable Phillips).  He was one of only two undefeated Division I wrestlers (Magistrelli was the other) as he placed for the third time (4^th – 2^nd – 1^st).  Moos, an early Michigan signee, has not looked as sharp this year.  He’s had several close bouts and lost at the Ironman to Staylor, a Virginia wrestler he had defeated four previous times.  It was a bout in which he was taken down four times.  However, at Medina he beat both Johnstone and Doggett by big scores and then handled two-time Division II State runner-up Zupancic rather easily.  Then came surprising overtime losses to Rizzo and Zupancic, and you wonder whether there are hidden issues.  However, I expect a return to form and the fact that this is a very weak weight class should allow Moos to cruise to his second state title.

However, these losses destroy the aura of invincibility that Moos had built up over the past couple of years.  Now wrestlers, who two months ago believed that they had no chance against him, suddenly have stirrings of hope.  The Mentor District, as far as it’s possible to tell, may be the deepest one.  Passafiume was 3^rd at Brecksville and was undefeated at the State Duals, but was 5^th at Mayfield.  He lost there to Moos, 20-5, and to Johnstone for the second time – both losses by a single point.  State qualifier Felton is very tough.  At Columbus last year he lost to eventual champ LaFollette in overtime and then to Federico.  Bugara has had some solid successes this year, while Oberdove, Ward, and Fluker could get the fourth berth.

Johnstone is the best at Massillon Perry.  He was 3^rd at Medina and Mayfield, losing only to Moos both times – and failed to place at the Ironman, losing both to state runner-up Zupancic, and, you guessed it, Moos.  It’s uncertain who’ll show up at the rest of that district, but as presently constituted the only real challengers would have to come from the Columbus area – people like Davis and, maybe, King or Reiman.  Stellato and Turner are other possibilities with the former winning two district bouts at this weight last year.

Since much of the Columbus area is likely to move to the Toledo Central District, they’ll be a dominant force there.  Moody, Reiman, Dutton and Mills are all better than anyone coming out of the Northwest District.  I’ve listed Gilkerson, McCulloch, and Joseph from that area, but if all the Columbus boys are, indeed, here that trio will struggle to qualify.  Also watch for Perry (Coffman) who’ll be a factor somewhere.

There are a large number of wrestlers at Wilmington, all of whom are of about the same quality.  Unfortunately, I don’t believe that quality, for the most part, is at a state placement level.  Remarkably they keep defeating one another so that it’s difficult to place them in any coherent order.  I think Alban and Subler may be marginally the best, but I’ve listed a number of others who could be factors at the district level.  One wild card is Hlebak, who had a non-descript season last year, but then won the district title at 112#.  Maybe he will do it again.

125 #

Projected Champion:  T. J. ENRIGHT (WESTLAND)

Top Contenders

Sixteen times in the last nineteen years a Northeast District wrestler has won this weight class (only Key, Allen, and Wineberg were the exceptions), but I’m anticipating that it will not happen this year.  As I see it there are four primary contenders (three from the Northeast District), but my top choice is T. J. Enright.

Enright, still only a junior, was 3^rd at 112# two years ago losing only to three-time champ Kyle Ott.  Then last year he was 2^nd losing a close 3-1 bout to Lang.  This year there are no returning State champs at this class and I anticipate him progressing one more step to the top of the awards platform.  However, it won’t be easy.  Enright seems to wrestle more close, low scoring bouts than in the past, leaving him vulnerable to random factors.  As a sophomore he never scored more than five points in any of his four State bouts.  As a freshman he scored at least six points in every bout.  He looked impressive at Medina, defeating Spencer and Vaughn decisively and winning 4-3 over Agozzino in the finale.

Enright will lead the field at Perry.  Next best, but still a step behind, is state qualifier Pniewski.  He upset Agozzino in the first round last year, but then lost two close high-scoring battles.  This year he’s been an impressive winner at Ashland and Brecksville.  Right behind him is the powerful Meissner.  He was a strong 3^rd at the Ironman, losing only in double overtime to Agozzino, and also 3^rd at Wadsworth, losing to Jaggers.  He has state finalist potential on a hot weekend.  Murray, Compton, Cobb, and Wright are all competent performers in this very deep district, and that’s assuming that only Enright comes up from Columbus.

The battle at Mentor should be between Paglia and Agozzino.  Both were 3^rd last year, but perhaps, arrived there from different directions.  Paglia went into the state meet as the undefeated, heavy favorite.  After two easy wins he walked into a LaFollette cradle, and, stunningly, was pinned.  He then won two more crushes to finish 3^rd.  Meaning no disrespect to LaFollette, but in my mind Paglia was easily the best 103-pounder in the state except for a 92 second period on a cold Friday evening.  Agozzino already had 11 losses entering the state meet and quickly fell again in the first round.  Then he ran off five consecutive consolation wins to finish 3^rd.  He was the only first-round loser to place that high in Division I, and one of only two in the entire tourney (Underation was the other).

Both boys have struggled at times this year.  Paglia with the three weight class jump, and, in fact, keeping it to just that level, and Agozzino with a very tough schedule.  In their only head-to-head meeting Paglia won by a point.  Jones and the sophomore, Mathews, are probably next best here, but they’re well behind the top duo.

These two districts should capture most of the places.  The Toledo Central District should be dominated by the invaders from Columbus, given that state qualifiers Brown and Forgy, along with King, McKinney, and Stoltz all head in that direction.  Forgy missed most of the year, while Brown is coming off a shaky state performance.  At any rate I’ve only been able to identify Patnode and Bowman (a former junior high state champ) as possible contenders from the Toledo area, but I’m certain I’m missing someone.

It’s the same old story at Wilmington – a large, closely bunched field with few real standouts.  I’ve rated Sizemore and McCoy as the best of that bunch, but that’s pretty much “by guess and by golly.”  State qualifier Jaynes missed most of last year and he could be a major surprise at this weight.  Another possibility is Spencely, who dropped two weight classes and then won at Fairfield.

130 #

Projected Champion:  RYAN LANG (ST. EDWARD)

Top Contenders

Ryan Lang and C. P. Schlatter are the only wrestlers this year looking to capture a third state title – and both, coincidentally, are only juniors.  One major difference is that Schlatter has lost only once in 2½ years(in overtime), while Lang has 15 losses in that time span.  However, and this is what is important, they have the exact same 8-0 record at state meets.  Lang has an opportunity to become St  Ed’s first four-time champ should he win this year and next, and could become their 5^th three-time champ this year.  Lang won at 103# two years ago and then made a three weight class jump to 125# and won again last year.  He was only the second Division I wrestler since the state tournament’s inception in 1938 to move up three weight classes and repeat as champion (the other was Alan Fried).  This year Lang has lost six times, including in-state defeats by Thompson and Gulosh.  Of the 42 state champs in 2001 Lang had the most losses (seven) and he may go back-to-back with that distinction this year.  From my perspective Lang looks like a small 130-pounder – perhaps a 125-pounder in disguise.  That inordinately impacts him because of his scrambling style where strength and power are critical.  Both Thompson and Gulosh caught him in scrambles and scored heavily.  Two major positives for Lang are his sensational track record during the last six weeks of the season where he seems to peak at exactly the right time, and the lack of much quality competition at this weight.  Most two-time champs heading for a third title are very strong favorites, but that is not the case with Lang.  He will need to be in peak form at tourney time to win again.

Lang’s toughest competition should come from the excellent sophomore Cunningham.  He was 5^th last year at 119#, and has dominated this year.  He won at Darby, Franklin Hts., and Tiffin, with only Wilson giving him any kind of battle.  He’ll likely be at Toledo Central, and should have a relatively restful week there.  I don’t see anyone within a half dozen points of him.  Besides those I’ve listed, other possible qualifiers are Kulich (Reynoldsburg), Strine (Mansfield Madison) and Rahrig (Toledo St. Francis).

Lang, on the other hand, will have a much more difficult district.  In my mind there are five top-notch candidates for four state tickets, and there are several solid dark horses, as well.  State qualifier Lakia is very good, and, for example, lost to Cunningham by a single point last year.  He was dominant at Riverside and Kenston this year, and should be away from Lang at Columbus.  That gives him state finalist potential.  State qualifier White beat Flake in overtime, and finished 2^nd at Brecksville.  He also was 3^rd at Mayfield, losing only to Gulosh. The sophomore, Effner, and the vastly improved Gioella are state quality performers.  Gioella won at the Midwest Classic and Solon, while Effner placed 4^th at Brecksville and Hudson, and 3^rd at the Dies.  In their individual battle Effner won in overtime.  Bottomlee, Cook, Vaughn, and Mohnacky are in a tough district and are long shots to qualify.  They would probably make it at several of the other locations.

State qualifier Flake is clearly the best at Wilmington.  He has the ability, I believe, to wrestle with anyone in this field and be successful.  State runner-up Vondruska nipped him by two points in first round action last year.  He was an easy winner at the SWOCA this year, and was 3^rd at Brecksville after losing in overtime to White.  After him it’s a wide open district field with no one else having a very high probability of state placement.

It’s all very confusing at Perry.  Lancianese is marginally the best, finishing 2^nd at Wadsworth.  But to illustrate the tightness of the field, he beat both Prvonozac and Mottnacky, at the very bottom of my grid, by one point each.  It’s a wide open field with those listed and Lomas (Cloverleaf) and Spellacy (Brunswick) all having roughly equal chances of qualifying.

135 #

Projected Champion:  CHRIS VONDRUSKA (ST. EDWARD)

Top Contenders

Chris Vondruska has to be the Rodney Dangerfield of Ohio wrestling --he just doesn’t get the respect or recognition he deserves.  A surprising 6^th as a sophomore (with 19 losses), he wrestled extremely well at the end of last year winning the tough Mentor District and three tough state bouts (including upset wins over Tepley and Spatola) to finish second only to Pflug.  This year he has been 1^st at Mayfield and 2^nd at the Ironman, Beast of the East, and Medina, losing twice to the incomparable Schlatter.  He has had some huge wins over Martin and Luke (twice) in an excellent senior season.  He always seems to be the underdog, but he knows how to win.  They describe him as being all elbows and knees and sharp edges, and extremely difficult to wrestle.  Whatever it is, he must be considered the favorite at this weight class.

Vondruska is a step above everybody else at Mentor, but it isn’t a giant step.  Pietropinto toyed with going at 130#, but eventually chose to stay at this weight.  He’s been a solid placer at every tourney and does not beat himself.  He lost to Vondruska, 5-2, at Mayfield.  Allen was only 7^th at Brecksville, but has come on strong lately and passed Pietropinto on the strength of a 5-0 win at Mayfield.  The unheralded Cheh was champion at the WRC and has very quietly had an excellent year.  That should be the four qualifiers and since they emerge from different sectionals the pairings should be good.

The sophomore Luke had a fabulous year in 2001.  Wrestling at 112#, he was a state finalist losing to Moos in that final round.  This year he is up four weight classes, and has struggled a bit with all of the adjustments.  He was 4^th at the Ironman in an enormously difficult weight class, and then was 3^rd at Medina, losing to Vondruska.  At Mayfield he beat Allen and crushed Miller before again dropping a decision to Vondruska.  He’ll be away from Vondruska (assuming their both district champs) at Columbus so their next meeting will be for “all the marbles.”  Luke is hoping that old adage “third times the charm” is relevant to wrestling.  His district is far easier than Vondruska’s with only minimal competition facing him.

The powerhouse district is at Wilmington.  Three of the very best 135’s are there and if a Vondruska-Luke state title bout doesn’t take place, it’ll be because of the Cincinnati wrestlers.  Wolf was an impressive 5^th at last year’s state meet, and he is even better now.  Undefeated, he won at the GMVWA and had little trouble until the last round.

Wolery is a smooth, slick wrestler who qualified at 125# last year.  He lost to Lang, 7-2, in the quarter-finals and then after a consolation victory, lost a heartbreaking criteria decision when Zinkan rode him out.  He missed the Brecksville tourney, but was 2^nd at the SWOCA losing in overtime to state placer Seta.  Mason-Straus may be the best of this trio.  A district champ last year where he beat Wolery (in overtime, of course) he did not wrestle to his potential at Columbus.  This year he looks even better with an outstanding combination of swiftness and power.  He was dominant at Brecksville, and his first three minutes are outstanding.  Brewer is my choice for the last spot, but pairings will be critical, since all four of my top choices  emerge from just two sectionals.

There is some depth at ToledoCentral, but none of the strength that we see at the top of the other districts.  Guerra has had an excellent season with wins at Waite and Perrysburg, and a solid 4^th at Medina--where he gave Luke a very good match.  State qualifier Anderson has not been overly impressive at 140#, but should be far better here.  Uhas and Frederickson are both good, while a host of others are just a step behind.

140 #

Projected Champion:  MATT MCINTIRE (LAKOTA WEST)

Top Contenders

In the movie “Gladiator” Maximus comes to Rome to fight in the 180 days of games sponsored by Commodus.  He and his comrades take the Carthaginian side in a re-creation , as the wigged emcee says, of the battle of Zama.  In fact, there really was such a battle in 202 B.C. in which Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal and ended the Second Punic War.  He won because he was both analytical and innovative, and had an indomitable will to win.  The Romans had been defeated earlier when their strategy of a powerful center of massed men with spears and swords had been disrupted by Hannibal’s charging war elephants.  Instead of a solid front Scipio left open lanes between clumps of soldiers so that the charging elephants (there were 80 to 100) ran through the open spaces, and were not a factor in the battle.  Once they were out of the picture the Roman’s dominated.

What makes Matt McIntire one of the best wrestlers in Ohio is that same indomitable will to win.  Last year he lost his District finals to the excellent Ryan West, and the following day spent hours watching the tape looking for new ideas to combat West.  Apparently he found them since he dominated their state finals bout winning by a comfortable 6-2 score.  McIntire, already signed by Indiana, will be a great collegiate wrestler.  Strong, compact, and tremendously determined and disciplined, he already wrestles a collegiate style.  He is one of the six potential four-time state placers (along with Moos, Kallai, Pflug, Linsker, and Gordon) including a runner-up finish two years ago.  He is undefeated this year with impressive wins at Brecksville and the SWOCA.  There were hopes that he and Pflug would be at the same weight class at Brecksville for a dream match-up, but Pflug is now clearly the bigger boy.

Two-time state place-winner Baria has clearly chosen the opponent he knows rather than one who is unknown.  He has had the rather unenviable task of challenging either Pflug or McIntire – not your most palatable alternatives.  He has moved down to 140# and will again go against McIntire.  Last year, at districts, McIntire won an overtime thriller, and then defeated Baria somewhat more soundly, 7-4, in the state semi-finals.  Coming from the same district they’ll likely be apart at States, but there is enough competition at this weight to keep that final round from being inevitable.  Baria is just plain excellent at keeping himself in almost every bout, and that toughness makes him hard to beat.  State qualifier Busick is third best at this district and has good state placement potential.  The last berth will be up for grabs with a number of good wrestlers likely to be left at home.

I’m not sure that I can ever recall a weight class as weak as this one in the history of Mentor District wrestling.  I mean there’s the excellent Pierce, the very good Clark and there’s ..........?  McGee and Busick both beat Pierce at the state meet last year, and I’d bet the mortgage it won’t happen this year.  Pierce was a very solid 2^nd at the Ironman, and then dominated the field at Medina.  He was perfect at the State Duals, but finished 2^nd to Garner, 11-10, at Mayfield, after having defeated him 13-10 in the dual meet.  He should win this district, although Clark will be a very stubborn foe.  At States he could well have to beat Busick, Baria, and McIntire to win the title.  Clark won the title at both Solon and the Powerade – beating Pennsylvania wrestlers both times.  He lost to McGee, however, at the WRC.  After this duo there doesn’t seem to be much.  I’ve listed a few possibilities, but the door is wide open for those last two spots.  Malone might be a slight favorite, but Anderson, Buchanan, and Matson (who I held as an infant) are all possibilities.

There is an unusual situation at Perry.  Foster, 3^rd in Division III for Dalton as a freshman two years ago, continues to be plagued by shoulder problems.  After that great freshman year he transferred to Massillon Perry and was the favorite at 119# last year.  Despite problems most of the year he made it to the districts before he finally could no longer continue.  This year it’s been more problems such that his ability to perform is in serious jeopardy.  Showing remarkable depth, Massillon Perry has another state qualifier certified at that weight class by the name of Mike Walters.  A state quarter-finalist last year at 130#, Walters has been competing at 152#.  Obviously he is better suited at this weight class, but may wrestle at either depending on Foster’s condition.  I’ve rated them both here and will also rank Walters at 152#.  This is an excellent district.  McGee and Riley are both returning state qualifiers, but Miller finished ahead of both of them at Wadsworth.  All three have sparkled this year with McGee, for example, winning the WRC over the very tough Clark.  McGee, incidentally, has qualified for state action in three different sports.  Hynd may be left out here, but he, too, is very good while Anthony and Harper will need a great weekend to get out.  There is no question that we'll see a very fine field at this district.

State qualifiers Krieg and Huddle lead a competitive group at Toledo Central.  Huddle took the title at Marion Harding, but is ranked only third in his area by the coaches.  Krieg was 3^rd at the Mentor District last year – his only loss in double overtime when he was turned for back points by the boy who chose top.  It’s not an ending you often see.  Krieg won at Ashland, but was 3^rd at Smithville, and did not place at Wadsworth.  He needs to pick it up for tourney time.  Wilson has had an excellent season including a big win over Krieg at Wadsworth.  After that it’s pretty much potluck with Marzec my favorite for the fourth ticket to Columbus.

145#

Projected Champion:  JOE PFLUG (MAPLE HTS.)

Top Contenders

There is no question in my mind that Joey Pflug is the most gifted senior wrestler in the state.  Tremendous speed, great athleticism, and uncanny balance have made him a force to be reckoned with since his first varsity bout as a freshman.  I have him at 131-4 right now, with all of his losses to wrestlers who have or will win at least three state titles (Ott, Lenhard, Schlatter).  And he has done this moving up at least two weight classes every year.  State runner-up his first two years, he won last year at 130# when he began to remain offensive-minded no matter who the opposition was.  This year he has been devastating and there is no one here who can challenge him.  Maple Hts. has produced some great wrestlers (43 state titles) in its storied history, but Pflug’s only peer from that past is Tommy Milkovich.  Together they are the best that Maple Hts. has ever produced.

Speaking of Maple Hts. reminds me of an incident on New Year’s Eve.  I was with a group at Severance Hall for their “Bring in the New Year Festivities” which included a Dean Martin wannabe grabbing some poor schmucks from the audience, putting fright wigs on them, and then teaching them some hokey dance steps.  All of this so they could “back him up” while he sang “Day-O” and made fun of them – especially the poor guy in the center.  Imagine some nightclub singer teaching one of Ohio’s greatest wrestlers – Tommy Milkovich – how to move.

The Mentor District could have as many as three placers at Columbus.  Carnabucci won at St. Xavier and Solon and was 3^rd at Brecksville, losing only to Pflug on a technical fall.  He is very aggressive, and wrestles all out to win.  The strong and athletic Penn could also place.  Carnabucci “decked” him at Solon, but Penn came back to win the WRC title.  If either of these two stumbles there is plenty of backup at this district.  Felton and Berlingeri have district experience and they placed 2^nd and 3^rd behind Westhoven at Southview.  Berlingeri won at Waite and Riverside and has had a great year.  Wolff is now the full-time starter at St. Ed’s, and he could be swept ahead by St. Edward’s momentum at the district level. 

State placer Kovach has been out of action since his runner-up finish at Medina as Massillon Perry seems to have had a running battle with injuries all year.  Horner qualified at 152# last year, and I anticipate that he’ll be very strong at this weight.  Like we saw at Mentor, the back-ups here are also very good.  Melton beat Wolff at Mayfield, while Cowan, Avsec, and Brazelton have all been consistent tournament placers.  Whatever four qualify from this district will be strong. 

As we have seen at so many weight classes this year the Wilmington District is very difficult to unravel.  Sharkey, champ at the GMVWA, may be the best here with Carraher and Sizemore close behind.  State qualifier Middendorf was only 5^th at the GMVWA and he will need to be in top form to qualify at this weight class.  District semi-finalist Hafer had two chances to get to Columbus last year, but West and Busick were a tough duo to handle.  He could get that one additional win at this year’s district.

152 #

Projected Champion:  TIM SCARL (ST. EDWARDS)

Top Contenders

There is always substantial discussion as to the strongest districts feeding into the state tournament.  Now that they are all the same size it is instructive to look at last year’s results

                          Championship Rounds      All Bouts

         District            Win – Loss  PCT    Win – Loss   PCT

      1.  Elyria Catholic (III)     80-39     .672       124-66     .653

      2.  Firestone (II)            69-43     .616       117-74     .613

      3.  Massillon Perry (I)       60-47     .561       105-85     .553

      4.  Mentor (I)                56-53     .513       105-92     .533

      5.  Fairfield (I)             51-48     .515        89-85     .511

      6.  Galion (II)               50-55     .476        91-91     .500

      7.  Waite (III)               46-54     .460        95-97     .495

      8.  Marion (III)              45-54     .454        91-103    .469

      9.  Buckeye Local (II)        41-53     .436        87-100    .465

     10.  Wilmington (II)           43-52     .453        67-97     .409 

    11.   Darby (I)                 35-54     .393        66-103    .393

    12.   Xenia (III)               30-54     .357        64-108    .372

Note this only includes bouts against other districts and does not include results between boys from the same district.  Clearly, there were substantial differences in results, and it will be interesting to see the changes that occur this year.  One guess is that the Wilmington District that features the powerhouse Graham squad will move up in the rankings

            Despite the above efforts to delay the inevitable it’s time, finally, to review the competition at 152#.  Unfortunately there is absolutely no metrics that will help determine the eventual winner.  The competition is wide-open with any of a half-dozen possible winners.  The transitive property (if A defeats B and B defeats C, then A will beat C) seems to have been totally misplaced at this class.  For example, Slattery beat Scarl by five points and then Kuhner defeated Slattery.  Clearly Kuhner should have defeated Scarl.  Scarl won 8-3 at the State Duals.  While frustrating to the prognos-ticator, it should make it most interesting for the fans.  One hint might be that Northeast District wrestlers have won the last four titles at this weight class and seven of the last nine.

There are five outstanding talents at Mentor.  Scarl, a transfer from Gilmour, is a two-time state qualifier with a stubborn, tenacious style.  He wins a lot of close matches, but puts himself in jeopardy because so many are that close.  I like to see him aggressive as he was against Kuhner when he defeated him 8-3 in the State Duals.  I don’t believe he has lost to a Division I wrestler this year, while winning at Mayfield and finishing 3^rd at both the Ironman and Medina.  DiGiovanni, state runner-up two years ago, has the ability to beat anyone in the field.  He had a terribly tough draw in Columbus last year losing, on a late takedown, to the eventual champ, Wahoff, in the first round.  His only in-state loss this year has been to Kuhner at the Midwest Classic.  Hogan has remained in the shadows despite compiling a fine record.  He has won titles at Southview, Avon Lake, and Buckeye, including an 11-6 win over Holztrager.  State qualifier Gasparro had had an up and down season.  He failed to place at the Ironman and was 5^th at Brecksville, including a 13-3 hammering by Holztrager.  He then goes undefeated at the State Duals, including a 7-6 win over Kuhner.  Go figure.  He could be anything from a non-qualifier to a state finalist.  Holztrager has also gone about his work in a quiet manner with high finishes in every tournament wrestled.  Add in the young Dobies and Grieg and this is quite a district.

I’ve rated Kuhner at second best basically dismissing his loss to Gasparro as an aberration.  After all he won at Medina, Pickerington, and the Midwest Classic, and it looks like he just had a bad day at the State Duals.  His wins over DiGiovanni, Slattery, and McGuire cover all three divisions.  State qualifier Rhodes has been “dynamite” all year until the CIT where the truly exceptional Galvan pinned him, and he ended up 4^th.  Add in state qualifier Adam Huddle who is apparently back from early retirement and you have an excellent trio at the top of the Toledo Central District.  The fourth qualifying spot is wide open and besides those ranked make note of King (Bowsher), Wagner (Celina) and Wagner (Freemont Ross).

The top duo at Wilmington have wrestled many times, and it’s not a pleasant experience for either of them.  Gadson and Emmons are two physical wrestlers with speed and power.  State qualifier Gadson has won at the SWOCA and Fairfield (over Emmons), and was 2^nd to Linsker at Kenston – where he squandered a large early lead.  Emmons has been a high placer each year and both should contend for spots on the podium at the state meet.  After that it’ll depend on who has a hot district weekend.  Besides those listed, Haws (Butler), Engelman (Hughes) and Combs (Centerville) are possibilities here. 

State qualifier Walters will head the Perry District unless, of course, Foster cannot wrestle at 140#.  Depending on who is here from Columbus this will either be a weak district or a very weak district.  People will want to draw into these qualifiers.

160#

Projected Champion:  TRISTAN MURRAY (TECUMSEH)

Top Contenders

It is never easy when there are two, three, or four excellent wrestlers looking for a state title.  However, it’s infinitely more difficult when no one in a weight class has the look or credentials you would normally find in a potential state champion.  Last year the 103# class in Division III was clearly the weakest of the 42 weight classes.  This year, at least as presently constituted, that distinction falls on this weight class.  There are only four state qualifiers returning from last year and they had a combined 7-8 mark at Columbus.  There were only three weight classes in Division I that I hadn’t decided on my top choice by New Year’s Day.  Finally I got 112# and 152# in my mind, but this weight has proved to be the most intractable of all.

Murray is a phenomenon.  He is, as I understand it, an outstanding football player with tremendous athleticism.  In wrestling he adds to that an uncanny skill at winning the close bouts.  Last year he had eight losses coming into the state meet and a fourth place district finish.  Magistrelli pinned him in 38 seconds to open the state tournament.  Then Murray won 3-2, 2-1 OT, and 4-3, and after getting pinned by Ruberg, another 4-3 decision to finish 5^th.  He won four bouts by a total of four points.  Then this year he took the title at GMVWA winning both his semi-final and final bout in overtime.  The question is can this continue?  He faces very tough district competition.  Lawson is undefeated this year with titles at Kenston, Fairfield, and the SWOCA.  A part-time varsity wrestler last year, he has been sensational to this point.  Gadd qualified at 171# last year, but has dropped after the first of the year.  He gave Lawson a terrific battle at Fairfield and this top trio should all qualify.  State qualifier Horne would appear to be the fourth choice, but there is little margin for error.

Konyesni is an exceptional wrestler who somehow has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory far too many times.  A state qualifier at 145# last year, he went 1-2 losing 8-7 to Kuhner and 2-1 to Ashby.  He lost two bouts by two points.  This year he was a very impressive 3^rd at the Ironman, but gave up a four point move in the last 15 seconds or he would have been a finalist.  Pretty much the same scenario at Medina where Bergman’s last-second takedown put Konyesni in the loser’s bracket – and, again, an impressive 3^rd place.  Note that Konyesni has not lost or come particularly close to losing, to anyone in Division I.  His district is not strong.  I’ve put Shamakian and Ryan in the next two spots, but that is certainly not etched in stone.  Besides those rated, Gronzalski (Maple Hts.), Cornell (Bedford), and Eklics (Amherst) have upset potential.  A missing factor is Wilson (Solon) who has been out all year.  Should he return he will play a role at this class.

Johnson and Morris were both very impressive last year at Mentor.  Morris, in particular, had a hard luck story, as he lost an oddly refereed semi-final and then lost to Rhodes – who he had pinned the week before.  This year Johnson beat the undefeated Morris at Perrysburg and then won again at Waite, 18-3 over Gilkey in the finals.  Konyesni, however, defeated him by six at Medina.  State qualifier Simmons and Craiglow are both strong, but I’ve been slightly disappointed in the former’s results to this point.  With a bevy of possibilities right behind them they’ll need to be in top form.

Gray looked good at Medina.  He defeated Eklics, Kovach, Knapp, and Shamakian en route to a 3^rd place finish.  He had 39 wins last year, but fell short of state qualification.  Grogan, a transfer form Walsh, won at North Canton and was 2^nd at the Top Gun.  He should qualify.  State qualifier Berns returns, and along with Srock this is the foursome I see going to Columbus.  However, that could change somewhat depending on the imports from the Columbus area.

171 #

Projected Champion:  MATT KALLAI (WADSWORTH)

Top Contenders

            Wrestling more than almost any other sport demands heavy dues from those who choose to participate.  Even for the most talented and athletic there is a long apprenticeship that can weary the body and fatigue the mind.  Matt Kallai, as outstanding a talent as he is, has had to pay those dues just like everyone else.  It started his freshman year when he finished a brilliant 3^rd at Columbus losing only to 3-time champ Ty Morgan 15-4.  At that point most people were suggesting two or three state titles, but the wrestling dues can exact a heavy price.  As a sophomore Kallai was 6^th, and last year he lost to the eventual state champ Pliev, 4-1 in the second round – the only wrestler Pliev did not pin.  He again finished 3^rd – defeating Fairman in the consolation final.  Well, the dues have been paid, the accounts settled in full, and now it’s Kallai’s last and best chance for a state title.  However, there are formidable obstacles still to surmount, mostly in the form of a pair of returning state placers.

Both of these placers emerge from the Mentor District.  Cesear was 6^th last year, which included a win over the then defending state champion, Nick Lukens.  One of his losses was to Fairman in the consolation semi-finals.  This year he beat Fairman at Brecksville on a last second takedown, and has dominated most of his other foes in compiling an undefeated season.  Fairman has wrestled a much tougher schedule.  He was 2^nd to Dennis at the Ironman, 2nd to Treadway at the Midwest Classic, and 2nd to Cesear at Brecksville.  He was undefeated at the State Duals, won the WRC and then lost to Kallai 3-0 at Mayfield.  Fairman was 4^th last year at Columbus, also losing to Kallai there.  These two are easily the best at Mentor, and let’s hope they do not meet until the finals.  As to who is better – it’s really too close to call.  You could call them 2 and 2A, but Cesear got the nod because he won their last skirmish.  Swift (or possibly Staron) is third best with possible state placement chances.  Fairman handled him at Mayfield so there is a gap between the top duo and him.  After that it could be anybody for that fourth spot, with those listed plus D’Amico (Euclid) and Deliberato (Brush) as nominal favorites.  D’Amico, however, may choose to stay at 160#.

Kallai, in all likelihood, has the easiest district.  I’m assuming that Fisher and perhaps one of his colleagues will come out of the Westland sectional, but it’s still pretty empty after Kallai.  I’m guaranteeing that at least two people not mentioned in this report qualify for Columbus out of this district. 

On the other hand I’m guessing it’s going to be very crowded out of the Toledo Central District.  It’ll be difficult to rate all of them, especially since many have never met any of the others, some have been injured, and a couple just recently dropped from 189#.  State qualifier Gogolin may be the best here, but he does not wrestle a real rugged schedule.  Rausch, Kellogg, and Saunders are all a few points behind him in the Columbus area, but not an insurmountable amount.  State qualifier Plogsted, in a surprise move, dropped from 189# (where he went to state last year) down to 171#.  When that happens your knee-jerk reaction is to assume that the guy will be a “real monster” at that weight.  Sometimes “yes” and sometimes “no.”  In this case, it’s still up in the air.  At Columbus last year Plogsted was pinned twice in a little over three minutes total.  So a move to 171# is probably a positive.  However, his first tourney win at this new weight ended with a 10-9 win over Poore.  Walker, who is battling injuries, and Hoerig are probably the two best in the Northwest.  I’ve rated Walker quite high assuming he will be healthy.  Anything less than 100%, though, and he’ll struggle to maintain that rank.  Hoerig lost to Cesear by only two points in the districts last year, and won at Tiffin this year with a 2^nd at Perrysburg.  He  has the potential to move up that grid.  Also watch for the sophomore Legg, who is still growing and will be in the top echelon by next year.

The Wilmington District is not as strong as I once thought, with Lawson, Gadd, and Murray all moving down to 160# -- where a state title is a much higher probability prospect.  That opens the door for some less well-known wrestlers to reach Columbus.  Parker (and Saylor) may be the best of those who remain, with White, Sumner, and Smith possibly next best.  State qualifier Kaney was struggling earlier in the year, and now hasn’t wrestled for a few weeks – he may be injured.  Despite the substantial depletion of this weight class by the mass migration to 160#, I still think as many as two from this district could grab a low place.

189 #

Projected Champion:  HETAG PLIEV (LAKOTA EAST)

Top Contenders

The “prevailing wisdom” is that Pliev --rated the best high school wrestler in the country at this weight class --is unbeatable.  Certainly, based on recent history, that is not an unreasonable assumption.  He had a brilliant junior year culminating in falls in both the semi-finals and finals to take the state title at 171#.  Then over the summer he won the Junior Nationals in an outstanding display of strength and technique.  This year the Russian émigré has been flawless, including dominating titles at the SWOCA and Brecksville.  His marvelous throws are awe inspiring, and they make wrestling fun once again to watch.  He has to be given the role as the strong favorite.  One issue he’ll need to watch is “throwing” somebody who is unprepared and losing on a disqualification.

In what is otherwise a weak weight class there is one possibility that could upset the “prevailing wisdom.”  Nick Terbay is the one wrestler who might give Pliev a problem.  He is, after all, a two-time state placer with lots of free style experience to defend Pliev’s throws.  In addition, he’ll be away from Pliev at Columbus as they exit the same district and, that, too, will give Terbay a rehearsal bout before the state meet.  He is super on top with some good takedowns.  We look at Terbay as a relatively small 189-pounder and he does seem dwarfed by some of the boys cutting a lot of weight.  Still Terbay certified four pounds heavier than Pliev.

There is a huge gap between Pliev and Terbay and everybody else.  It’s my view that for all others the battle will be won if they capture the third place medal.  That certainly will be true at the Wilmington District – which even without Pliev and Terbay is one of the best in Division I.  With only two spots open some excellent wrestlers will not get out.  Rouse and Bridewell both have placement potential, but they need to watch for Ryan Lukens who is having a great second half.  Wasinger and Chambers are also good, but they’ll need good bracket positions to qualify.  All of the others listed have outside chances of going, including Clingner (Beaver Creek).

State qualifier Carman heads a representative field at Perry.  He, and possibly Kmetz, are the only ones with placement potential, although bigger surprises have happened.  Two unknowns here are Coleman (Kenmore) and George (Massillon Perry).  Coleman, a district qualifier, wrestles a difficult-to-evaluate schedule.  He may well deserve a rating on the grid at this weight class.  George, a district qualifier last year, has missed the entire season up to this point.  Should he return he could play a significant role at this district. 

While state qualifier Andy may be marginally best at Toledo Central, there are some very good 189’s out of the Columbus area.  Rankin, state qualifier Horton, and the recently returned Cramer are all first-rate and have good placement possibilities.  If several of them end up at Perry, then watch for Galbraith, Fox (Tiffin Columbian) and, maybe, Thomas (Findlay) if he’s at this weight, to pick up the slack.  A key element in placing will be to get in the two quarter-brackets at state that do not include Pliev and Terbay.  Otherwise, there will be that long, torturous path through the consolation rounds.

There is very little at the Mentor District.  I’ve searched looking for that one super star I’ve overlooked, but have, so far, come up empty.  Regan looks like perhaps the top candidate here, but it is clearly a wide-open event.  My guess is, and I hate to say it, that the qualifiers here will be first round fodder.

215 #

Projected Champion:  MATT KOZ (ST. EDWARD)

Top Contenders

This is the best and deepest weight class in Division I, and should be one of the most entertaining, as well.  It showcases wrestlers from all around the State and features a whole spectrum of styles and body types.  There is also enormous firepower embodied in the top group – far more than at any other class.  Let’s look at thumbnail sketches of the top contenders.

Matt Koz, the brilliant St. Ed’s junior is the defending state champ at this weight.  Already a two-time state qualifier he ripped through district and state action with his closest bout a 14-8 romp until the finals where Barrentine took him into double overtime before succumbing.  Koz finished at 45-1, and has been just about that good this year.  He has won at the Ironman, Beast of the East, and Medina, and is one of the top 215’s in the country.  His biggest in-state win was a 7-3 decision over Barrentine at Medina.  His only loss, an overtime struggle with Delguyd at Mayfield, the first battle in what could be a three battle war.

Delguyd, a senior, was 2^nd at 189# last year losing 2-0 to Clemens in the finals after finishing 4^th the previous year.  With a classic physique Delguyd, a tremendous athlete, looks like he could do whatever he wanted to on the mat.  In the past he has at times seemed very defensive using his strength and experience to stymie any offensive actions without initiating any of his own.  That has not been as much of an issue this year as he remains undefeated with four tourney titles and wins over Barrentine, Williams and, of course, Koz.

Barrentine, also a junior, was 2^nd to Koz last year in that dramatic overtime bout.  He has lost to both Koz and Delguyd this year as he has moved between 215# and Heavyweight.  He has a history of a strong second half of the season, and cannot be discounted at this weight.

Beechum, a senior, moved from 189# to 215# at the end of last season and suddenly became a scoring machine.  He was in double figures in every district bout, and then won four of five state bouts, including three that didn’t go the distance.  His only loss was a 14-8 battle with Koz.  He is undefeated this year, but has not wrestled nearly the demanding schedule of the top trio.

State qualifiers Williams and Adams along with Stansbury are all very good.  Adams was a bout from state placement last year, and beat Beechum in a wild district final, 15-12.  He was the champion at Kenston, but  has not wrestled a demanding schedule.  Williams went “two and out” at the state meet but has wrestled well this year.  It probably doesn’t hurt to have Pliev as a workout partner.  He  was 3^rd at both Brecksville and the SWOCA, and has lost close bouts this year to Delquyd (3-2), Keough (8-7 OT), and Koz (7-4).  His jinx has been Stansbury who has beaten him three times, including twice by fall.  Stansbury was 3^rd at North Canton and the OVAC and missed state qualification last year when he lost the coin flip in the 30 second sudden death.

Despite Delguyd’s win at Mayfield, I still think Koz will win the state title.  Not to discount Delguyd’s win, but it was before a huge, home crowd throng that had to have him sky high.  These two are so close that it wouldn’t surprise me if all three went into overtime.  Note that the only takedown in the bout was on Koz’s move, and not initiated by Delguyd.  It should be most interesting, and with the star-studded field they cannot overlook all the other great wrestlers at this weight class.

Delguyd and Koz will dominate at Mentor, but Smith could be a finalist if these two are randomly paired in the same half-bracket.  (That’s why we need district seeding Mr. Batanian, sir.)  He was a state qualifier at heavyweight last year, and I’m not sure he wouldn’t be better off there this year.  The fourth berth is wide open.

Barrentine and Williams are in the top spots at Wilmington, but state qualifier Ankney and Georg are not far behind.  All four qualifiers will be very good in this district.  If the pairings are awkward watch for Huber to get that fourth spot.

Beechum and Adams (if he’s there) are the best at Toledo Central.  Myers is the big unknown, having finished ahead of Stansbury and Williams at North Canton.  Nigem, Crane, Lenix, and Johnson give the northwest excellent depth, while Warren could get a spot if healthy.

There is a lot more uncertainty at Perry with a much more tightly grouped slate of competitors.  Except for Stansbury, this group will be long-shots for placement at Columbus.

HVY.

Projected Champion:  DERRICK BENDAU (MAYFIELD)

Top Contenders

I think Derrick Bendau is clearly the best heavy weight in the state, but that is no guarantee of a title at this class.  In two of the last three years the best heavy weight (at least in my opinion) has somehow not won the championship.  That is what makes this weight so fascinating and infuriating at the same time.  Bendau has been wrestling almost his entire life and will be totally prepared for Columbus.  In addition he has had great workout partners like Piccirillo and Delguyd that should keep him sharp.  Bendau has won titles at the Ironman, Midwest Classic, Brecksville, WRC, and Mayfield tournaments – three of them with falls in the final.  He is a step above the rest of the state.

Bendau emerges from a strong district.  Adebesin is a tall, strong heavyweight who missed state qualification by one bout last year.  He won at Solon and was 3^rd at Brecksville, losing to Johnson, but defeating Taylor.  State qualifier Arnold also returns, and will hope for a better state pairing this year.  He caught eventual state champ Ardo in the first round and Hines in the next.  Relliford, pretty much an unknown, shocked everyone with first period falls in the first two rounds at Mentor, but then reality, in the forms of Bendau and Arnold, set in and he fell a bout short of qualification.  This is a gigantic crew with all of them within 15 pounds of the weight limit.  Should one of them falter, Boone, Wilson, Fitzpatrick (Elyria), Rowe (St. Ignatius), or Massa (Garfield Hts.) are other possibilities.

The powerful Hines could be Bendau’s biggest obstacle, although last year’s result would not suggest it.  Then, in the bout that guarantees placement, Bendau pinned him in eleven seconds.  Won’t happen again.  Hines won the GMVWA in impressive fashion, and is currently undefeated.  Right behind him are the powerful duo of Johnson and Taylor – the former a Cadet National champ and the latter a returning state qualifier.  Johnson won the SWOCA and was 2^nd at Brecksville, while Taylor won at St. Xavier and was 4^th at Brecksville.  Bendau beat them back-to-back at Brecksville in a combined 151 seconds.  The mobile Hicks was runner-up to Hines at the GMVWA, while Knight, Allen, and Rathman all have the ability to qualify.  Drollinger has returned from a near fatal accident last summer to place in every tourney entered and might sneak into the Columbus picture.

Another strong contender is the mammoth Vallos.  He, too, was a state qualifier and he has been sensational in the eastern part of the state winning at the Top Gun and Brooke.  He should dominate the Perry District, which he nearly won last year against Ardo.  In fact, he gave Ardo his closest match throughout sectional, district, and state action.  I like Cook and Cousins, and, maybe Burdge for the last three spots, but Starkey, Britton, or Reikowski(Canton McKinley)  will also have an opportunity.  Except for Vallos, state placement will be unlikely for whomever qualifies.

The Toledo-Central District would seem to be the weakest of the four.  The powerful Williams has outstanding potential, but he lost to Boone in the State Duals, which I have written off as something of an anomaly.  He and Silcott, perhaps, have the best chance of state placement, but the competition here will be very close.  There is not much difference between most of the competitors.  The big unknown is whether Division III state placer Mason will wrestle for Holland Springfield.  A state semi-finalist for Genoa last year he would be a factor if, in fact, he does compete.  Also, watch for very light Nail (Davidson) Haddad (St. Charles), and Pritchett (Grove City).

TEAMS

1.         St. Edward -- This is not one of the greatest of St. Edward’s teams, but it may outscore many of them because of the weak competition in Division I this year.  Lang and Moos have not had the kind of flawless year we anticipated, but they are still favorites at their respective weight classes.  Vondruska, Koz, and Scarl should all be finalists while Pierce, Agozzino, and, maybe, Madsen are placers.  The enigmatic Konyesni could finish anywhere while Light, Swift, and Wolff may qualify for Columbus.  If everything goes perfectly they could challenge the Division I points record, but, to me, there are still too many question marks for that.

2.         Massillon Perry – This is a very fine team that needs to get healthy.  Foster, Kovach, and George need to be ready by sectionals, and Riggs has got to be able to perform at peak levels at 112#.  There is plenty of firepower when you add Johnstone, Luke, and Walters to those already mentioned.  A little help from Wiley and Espinosa would be appreciated as this team could reach somewhere near the 100 point level.

3.         Mayfield  -  Almost all of their scoring will be generated by their superb upper weights.  Bendau, Delguyd, and Fairman could all be finalists – and, in fact, could all be winners.  If Massillon Perry falters or people like Shamakian, Petropinto or Regan can help this team could quite easily snag the runner-up trophy.

4.         Lakota East – This is another team with great firepower in the upper weight classes.  Pliev could score close to 30 points by himself, and both William and Johnson could place.  State qualifiers Sizemore and Hlebak are at the lighter end of the scale, but their ability to score at the state level is suspect.

5.         Lakota West  -  The trio of Flake, Wolery, and defending state champion McIntire make for a fiercesome combination between 130# and 140#.  I’m expecting a bushel basket of points from them.  If the little guys like Neal, Goodman, or Waldroup can spring a few upsets or Dean and Drew can help from the other side, they could move up a notch or two.

6.         Strongsville  -  This is a team with lots of potential scoring, but also lots of questions.  Foremost, is Paglia’s ability to stay healthy and score at 125#, and Gasparro’s need to peak at tournament time.  White, Allen, Passafiume, and Ryan can score at the state level, while Ginter could be a surprise at the weak 112# weight class.

7.         Pickerington  -  This is a fine dual meet team that may not have the state firepower to reach the top ten.  Still Iovine, Kuhner, and Horton should be placers and the sensational freshman Horne should do well at 112#.  The big questions are whether Williams can score at heavyweight, how Anderson will do at 135#, and whether people like Ferguson, Davis, and Earnheart can be helpers.

8.         Carroll – The two main cogs are Terbay and Barrentine, but the former has Pliev and the latter the murderous competition at 215#.  The real question is where is additional state scoring going to come from.  They hope the answer will be Shock, Borchers, Wiley, and Sanchez.

9.         Solon  -  The state tournament process was a disappointing one for Solon last year, but it looks like they will bounce back this year.  DiGiovanni could be a finalist while the excellent middleweights like Clark, Cheh, Gioella and Penn can score at the state level.  The big bonus would be Brown placing high at 103#.

10.    Fairfield – In his 37^th season coach Ron Masanek has fashioned, perhaps another top ten team.  The upper weights of Gadson, Lawson, Parker, Saylor, and Rouse should score at Columbus and people like Hahn, Spencely, and Cornwell can help.  It will need to be a team effort to get here.

11.    Wadsworth  -  Matt Kallai is the linchpin of this team, but they’ll need additional scoring from the middleweights like Melton, Riley, Miller, and Josh Kallai.  Srock could also be a helper and move this team well into the top ten.

12.    Moeller  -- Rating the team at this level may be a stretch.  We know Baria and Goode can score, but additional help is difficult to find.  Somehow, Lukens and Candy don’t seem to be the total answer.

You can contact me at John@Ohiowrestler.com