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Josh Lowe
December 15, 2008
While the first weekend was full of fireworks with the Walsh Ironman, the second weekend had its own moments to remember. Highlights include St Edward Elite Duals, Midwest Classic, Central Ohio Duals, Strongsville Duals, Barnesville Invitational, and North Coast Classic.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK: Kagan Squire, Wadsworth, 112 pounds. This freshman went 2-0 on Saturday at the St Edward Elite Duals. Most notably, he defeated nationally ranked Edwin Cooper (Providence Catholic IL) 4-2. Additionally, against an opponent that took him to overtime at the Ironman – Kyle Warner (Claymont) – Squire was dominant in a 17-0 technical fall victory.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Harrison Central. The Huskies were champions of the Barnesville Tournament with eight top three finishers; three champs, three runners-up. See below for more detail.
EAGLES STILL ELITE: Despite there being some questions asked about St Edward in terms of this possibly being a down year, the Eagles went out and swept a pair of dual meets this past weekend at home. This included a 38-23 victory over a nationally ranked Providence Catholic IL team, in which St Edward took nine of the fourteen matches. Coming out of the day with two wins for St Edward were Gus Sako (119), Jamie Clark (125), Anthony Salupo (135), Eric Scheidel (140), Matt Tusick (145/152), Nick Sulzer (152/160), and Mike Green (215). St Edward also upended Claymont 44-23.
GRIZZLIES DEEP BUT NOT ENOUGH: In the other two dual meets contested at St Edward on Saturday, Wadsworth split a pair of dual meets despite being without five varsity starters. The Grizzlies defeated Claymont 41-18; but lost to Providence Catholic 28-24, a match in which the 14 dual meets were split evenly at seven apiece. Going 2-0 on the day for Wadsworth were Kagan Squire (112), Alex Gray (119), Louden Gordon (135), Nate Ball (145), and Nick Tavanello (285). Clay Wenger (125), Caleb Busson (189), and state placer Ben Buzzelli (285) are slated to return this week; 2007 state champion Brad Squire (145/152) may return this week; while Marc Snodgrass (160) should be back by the end of the month.
GRAHAM REMAINS GRAND: Due to the scheduling controversies associated with the St Edward Elite Duals covered last week, Graham chose to compete at the Midwest Classic hosted by Worthington Kilbourne over the weekend. In no surprise, the Falcons also dominated the field with ten champions (12 total finalists). Winning titles for Graham – and leading the Falcons to 568 points – were Nick Brascetta (103), Isaac Jordan (112), Zach Neibert (125), Felipe Martinez (130), David Taylor (135), Matt Stephens (140), Brian Stephens (145), Kyle Ryan (160), James Mannier (171), and Max Thomusseit (189); runners-up were Sheldon Kegley (119) and Logan White (215). Finishing second was Medina Highland – two champs and four second place finishers – scoring 360 points. Champions for the Hornets were Dan Mirman (119) and Tyler Houska (215); while James Kunzler (103), Cole Rininger (130), Logan Gresock (152), and Ben Brown (171) finished second. Rounding out the champions were Josh Demas (Westerville North) at 152 and Ricky Williams (Geneva) at 285.
CENTRAL CROSSING REIGNS OVER CENTRAL OHIO: Grove City Central Crossing traveled to Marysville this past Saturday for the Central Ohio Duals and left with a 5-0 record. In pool competition, the Comets upended Watkins Memorial 66-9, New Albany 57-18, Olentangy 37-28, and Dublin Scioto 35-25. In the championship match, it was Central Crossing defeating Pickerington North 34-29. Pickerington North won its four pool matches with victories over the collection of reserve wrestlers, Hilliard Davidson 34-25, Marysville 36-27, and Mt Vernon 46-25. Hilliard Davidson defeated Olentangy 42-26 for third place, Marysville upended Dublin Scioto 35-29 for fifth place, and Mt Vernon defeated New Albany 35-30 to finish seventh.
BRUIN SUPREMACY: At Saturday’s Strongsville Super Ten Duals, Padua won the title with a 5-0 record for the day of competition. In preliminary pool competition, the Bruins defeated Canfield 53-18, Kenston 39-38, Strongsville 42-29, and Waynedale 42-16. In the championship match, it was Padua defeating Walsh Jesuit 39-28. The very young Warriors squad – despite competing without state runner-up Johnni DiJulius (119) – rolled up victories against Nordonia 42-30, Chanel 53-24, Akron SVSM 57-18, and Holy Name 47-22 on the way to a runner-up finish. In the third place bout, Kenston defeated Chanel 45-25.
HUSKIES DOMINATE AT BARNESVILLE: Harrison Central dominated eighteen team tournament field at Barnesville this past weekend, as they scored 177 points on the strength of three champs and three second place finishers. Champions for the Huskies were Nick Risdon (130), Rob Eddy (160), and Cody Kaiser (171); runners-up included Darrin Heavilin (103), Ian Howell (189), and Jake Mallernee (215). Despite one champion in Jeremy Border (103), Caldwell won a closely contested battle for second place with 123 team points. Other key contributors for Caldwell were Clint Boyd (140) finishing second, as well as Jacob Border (125) and Seth Todd (160) who finished third. Cambridge was the only other team to have multiple champions as Andrew Bertubin (112) and Dillon Van Duyne (125) took home titles. Kurtis Jefferis (Barnesville), champion of the 152 pound weight class, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Other weight class champions were Preston Foster (East Liverpool) at 119 pounds, Dominic Prezzia (St Clairsville) at 135, Brandon Studacher (Indian Creek) at 140, Dylan Moeglin (New Lexington) at 145, Corby Running (Clinton Massie) at 189, Branko Busick (Steubenville) at 215, and Schuyler Bondy (Monroe Central) at 285.
PIONEERS PEPPER THE NORTH COAST: Elyria used two champions, three runners-up, and three third- place finishes to score 630 points in lapping the 22-team field at the North Coast Classic. Winning championships for the Pioneers were Zack Goins (160) and Ryan Nelisse (215); while runners-up included Dalton McHenry (130), Phil Egnor (152), and Mitchell Fadenholz (171). Mentor finished in second place with a trio of champions – Jack Young (112), Mike Skilton (125), and Dylan Zivcic (145) – sparking the Cardinals to 524 points. The tournament’s outstanding wrestler went to returning state runner-up Nick Lawrence (Westlake), the 130 pound champion with a 3-1 overtime victory against state placer Dalton McHenry (Elyria). Two of the more dominating weekend performances were those coming from seniors Andrew Gasber (Madison), the 152 pound champion, and Goins. Gasber pinned six of eight opponents, while Goins scored 61 takedowns during his matches on the weekend. Other champions were Alex Dronzek (Beachwood) at 103 pounds, Anthony Bable (Firestone) at 119, Randy Henline (Coventry) at 135, Slaga (Buckeye Local) at 140, Joe Abujaradeh (Berea) at 171, McWreath (Trinity PA) at 189, and Greg Dailey (Independence) at 285.
THIS COMING WEEK: Brecksville and Boardman travel to the Beast of the East in Delaware, Massillon Perry competes at the King of the Mountain Tournament hosted by Central Mountain PA; featured tournaments in Ohio include North Canton Holiday, SWOWCA Glen Sample Classic, Bowling Green Duals, and much more.