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.

Introduction

The object of these annual reports encompasses two basic goals.  First is to acquaint everyone with the basic character of each weight class and identify the participants who are likely to play a major role in its resolution.  In addition, each district is examined as to whom its’ representatives might be.  Second is to stimulate interest in the whole State tournament process throughout Ohio.  Naturally, accuracy is also of primary concern, so care is taken to develop the most comprehensive list possible of outstanding wrestlers, though of necessity, the evaluation of their final place is, in part, subjective.  This report was written during a ten-day period ending January 20, based on the information available at that time.  It’s kind of a snapshot in time, with a picture that will surely change in many ways by tournament time.  Certainly many of those listed at weight classes where they are currently certified will move up for competitive reasons or because they cannot make the 50 percent rule.  In fact, some of those moves may well be precipitated by information contained within this document.

There are several ways you can help make this report more accurate.   First by sending me bracket sheets for tournaments you enter either by fax or mail – I’m especially interested in sectional and district bracket sheets this year and any tournaments for next year.   Also, phone calls, or better yet, e-mail messages dealing with results, weight class selection, or whatever, are gratefully received.  I especially appreciate coaches who provide an honest overview of their squad and superior wrestlers they’ve seen in competition.  Already I get messages and information from too many people to name individually, but I appreciate it all.

Brian Brakeman

23225 Hardwick Road

Shaker Hts., OH  44122

Fax No.: 330-659-2359                     E-mail:  cherylabrake@aol.com

This report is also available on the Internet on Gary Baumgartner’s website as well as Brecksville High School’s website:

http://www.baumspage.com

http://www.brecksvillewrestling.com

©2004– Reproduction of this material for profit without written consent is prohibited.

And remember, my usual fee is a wrestling T-shirt – XL.

(and that includes all your Internet readers)

Division II

As always this is a division loaded with highly anticipated match-ups and powerhouse teams.  Some of the most highly rated wrestlers in this country compete in this classification and the quality of wrestling is so high that none of them are guaranteed a state title.  More often than not, the mats featuring Division II wrestlers will draw the majority of interest this year in Columbus.

103#

Projected Champion:  AARON HART (GRAHAM)

Top Contenders

You ever watch those action movies featuring Jackie Chan or Stephen Segall or Vin Diesel, where the hero suddenly comes face-to-face with four or five fearsome assailants.  Fortunately they always come at him one at a time, allowing him time to exhibit his fantastic hand-to-hand combat skills.  Well, that would appear to be the situation facing Aaron Hart.  As I see it the Ironman and Beast champion has to face-off with a whole squadron of meanies from the Firestone District.  In a stroke of good luck they, too, will come at him one at a time, allowing him to improve on last year’s 4^th place finish.  But it won’t be easy since it’s a fearsome bunch coming down from the North, and Hart will have to sustain the outstanding work he has done so far this year.   Last year, as a district champ, Hart was upset in the first round by Cubberly, then won four consolation bouts before losing again to Cubberly for 3^rd.  A small 103-pounder (if that phrase isn’t redundant) last year, he will be far better equipped to cope with the “big” boys this year.

Let’s take a look at the Firestone boys.  Davis, the state runner-up last year, is a short, powerfully built young man with lots of experience.   He got hot at the end of last year and won his district and three state bouts before bowing to McLemore (who he threw early).   He had seven losses going into district action, but then was almost untouchable.  This year he is clearly struggling with the weight though the weight allowance will help him some.  He was 2^nd at Brecksville, losing to Lint in the finals, but never being out of the bout.  Rooney is an outstanding pinner.  Last year he was nipped by Connelly at Columbus and whomped by Hart.  This year he was 5^th at the Ironman and 2^nd at the Powerade, while wrestling a tremendously difficult schedule.  Hart continues to be his nemesis, decisively beating him three more times.  State placer Connelly was 6^th last year after finishing 4^th in his district--including a narrow win over Rooney.  He was 2^nd at Medina, defeating the freshman Harris and losing to Holliday by a point in the finals.  Finally, there is McCahan, now a senior, who placed 3^rd as a freshman at Akron St. Vincent at this weight class and has never reached that level again.  He has re-energized his career, winning at Wadsworth and climbing back into the picture once more at 103#.

On the other hand, there doesn’t appear to be much at Watkins Memorial.  I’ve looked long and hard for some powerful possibilities, but have come up empty.  It looks like Lehotay, Morton, Caudill, and Santry might be the best hopes for qualification, but it seems very wide open to me.  The other districts will want to draw in Watkins for their first round matchups. 

As we saw at Watkins there are also no returning state qualifiers at Galion.  In fact, none of the boys on my list have any significant district experience, so we are starting a fresh page at this class.  However, this group looks to be far better than what I saw at Watkins.  Thurn, Ulinski, and Pelton all have earned their spurs this year with strong tournament results.  For example, Thurn has won at Norwalk, Franklin and Clyde, while Ulinski was 4^th at Wadsworth and went 2-1 at state duals, losing only to Rooney.  There might be some state surprises from the four qualifiers here.

Hart’s only possible challenger at Goshen is Jeff Penny, a state qualifier at this weight class last year.  He went 1-2 at Columbus including a first round loss by fall to Rooney.  This year he dominated at Edgewood, but was only 5^th at GMVWA, losing to Division III competitors Preece and Thome--the latter was majored by Hart earlier in the year.

112#

Projected Champion:  BEN LLANAS (EASTWOOD)

Top Contenders

One of the highly touted movies of the 60’s was “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”, featuring dozens of big name comedians.  The action was ignited by a car wreck where a dying victim confesses to onlookers that a huge pile of money is hidden in San Diego.  This sets off a madcap scramble with everyone racing to find and claim this enormous treasure.  It seems to me that this weight class somewhat mirrors this plot line, as we have perhaps as many as ten competitors with some probability of claiming the state title.  Generally 112# is populated by all the top 103-pounders from the previous year.  It didn’t happen in 2004.  Only one 103 pound placer (and he was 5^th) moved up to 112#, and it looks like only one placer from 112# last year will reappear this year.  This will be a weekend for the wrestler with the hot hand.

It will also be a weekend where the pairings will be critical.  An adjunct to Murphy’s Law applies here called the Law of Perverse Pairings.  Basically it states that the pairings will fall in such a way as to least accommodate the predictions of forecasters.  That could happen here with the wide range of styles creating upsets--see, for example, the Top Gun.

I don’t believe anyone here has a probability over 15% of winning this weight class.  However a quartet of favorites may have a slight edge over the next group of about the same number and, coincidentally, they represent all four districts.   Ben Llanas would seem to be the best out of Galion.  A state qualifier last year he has been 3^rd at the Top Gun and 2^nd (to two-time state champ Wyant) at Wadsworth.  He swept through the Ohio Duals, narrowly defeating Cormier and crushing Keyes (who had majored him at States) and won a couple of smaller tournaments.  His only Division II loss was to Moser.  A freewheeling scorer, he has occasional defensive lapses, which could be dangerous in the tense state atmosphere.

State qualifier Cormier was the district champ at 103# and knows how to win the low scoring battles.   He was 3^rd at Brecksville (losing a tough overtime bout to the champion) and won at DeSales.  He is a little small for 112#, but if he gets ahead he is excellent.   He was crushed by Kriwinsky, but just missed beating Llanas.

State qualifier Kriwinsky is the biggest mystery.  He has beaten almost all of the very best at this class, but he has had some inexplicable stumbles.  He won two state bouts last year, losing only to runner-up Davis and third place finisher Cubberly.  This year he dominated at Kenston and was 2^nd at the Top Gun.  He can win with the right mindset and the right draw.

Two-time state qualifier David Penny is the fourth of the top candidates and, maybe, the least known.  He was 3^rd at this weight class two years ago, winning five times against good competition.   Last year he caught two-time champ, Compton, in the quarterfinals and never recovered as he failed to place.   He was 2^nd at the GMVWA, but does not wrestle the demanding schedule of the other three.  That may leave him fresher for the state meet and in a good position to win it all.

While Llanas looks best at Galion, state qualifier Schaefer cannot be far behind.  Kriwinsky beat him by only four last year.  He lost in the first round at Brecksville, but came back to get 5^th losing to Cormier in overtime.  There is a big drop-off after the top duo.

Cormier will not have it easy at Watkins.  State qualifiers Duffield and Pape are back and both have won in Columbus.  The big shocker is the unheralded Moser who won at the Top Gun with consecutive victories over Llanas, Pape, and Kriwinksy.  Frankly, I don’t know what to make of it.  Was this the weekend of a lifetime or someone suddenly realizing how good they can be. 

While Moser has been a huge surprise on the positive side, Keyes is in that same category at the other end of the spectrum.  He was 4^th last year (losing twice to Jackson in overtime) and crushing Llanas 12-1.  This year it’s totally different, as he has been victimized far too often.  The wrestler to watch here is the freshman Reedy.  He was 2^nd at Brecksville and Wooster (to Gray), but has really a high upside.  I’m betting he pulls at least one major upset on the tournament trail.

The one wrestler I may have shortchanged here is Artmann who was 5^th at 103# last year.   A state semi-finalist, he took Davis into overtime before losing.  He was 4^th at GMVWA losing to Penny 6-1.  A tenacious competitor, he seems particularly strong at tourney time.  Also back is state qualifier Land, who was 4^th at Medina and first at Bellbrook--as Artmann moved up to 119# and won.

119#

Projected Champion:  RICKY DEUBEL (KENSTON)

Top Contenders

I can’t remember when three state champions all competed at the same weight class and, amazingly, there are some curious parallels between two of them--senior Ricky Deubel and sophomore Pat McLemore.  Both began their high school years with undefeated freshman seasons that culminated in state titles at 103#.  Both moved up two weight classes to 119# as sophomores and found far more difficult competition, losing for the first times in their careers.  Deubel, in act, did not place as a sophomore, but last year wrestled brilliantly, losing in overtime in the state finals to Cameron Doggett.  This year Deubel is undefeated, winning the Ironman, Kenston and WRC championships.  In the first of these he beat the third member of this trio, state champ Kevin Lipp in the semi-finals and national prep champ Travis Blasco in the finals.  McLemore has come face-to-face with reality this year, losing several times.  He does not have the size advantage he had at 103# and has been taken down by the very best --and only the very best.  Losses to the Division I competitors Perez and Smith are all that blemish his record to this point.  He will find Deubel too quick on his feet, but Deubel will have to be wary of McLemore’s great mat skills.  Lipp originally considered wrestling at 112#, but moved up to 119# at mid-season.  Last year in Division III he wrestled brilliantly, upsetting Huffman in the semis and then avenging his district defeat by pinning Scaletta in the finals.  He has wrestled a very tough schedule--winning at Solon and placing at the Ironman.  Like McLemore, his sophomore year will be even more demanding than his freshman experience.

There have been nearly 200 two-time state champions in Ohio wrestling history, but to this point only one won titles as a freshman and a senior.  Reed Case (1986 and 1989) from Cadiz may shortly have a companion with regard to that unusual record.  Should Deubel win, he will become the second member of the Freshman/Senior Club.

Obviously, with two state champions the Firestone District will be very strong.  I also anticipated seeing state place winner Jacob Murton at this class, but he and his brother have moved to Kentucky. Also unexpectedly absent is state qualifier Horne who like Cubberly at Galion has opted for the 125# class. 

State champion McLemore will have one very fierce rival at Galion.  Michaels had over 40 wins last year, and was a district semi-finalist.  However, Rooney caught him early in the semis for a quick fall and he could not come back in the consolation rounds.  This year he walloped Quiqley to win at Franklin, then had victories at Lorain Southview, Norwalk, and the SBC’s.  With Cubberly now at 125# the last two state berths are wide open

The Goshen qualifiers may struggle from the first round onward when matched up against the qualifiers from the other districts.  It’s the last try for three-time state qualifier Bowers to place at States.   I have him at 144-3 in all competitions except for those at State and 5-6 in the State meets.  He’ll need to be at the top of his game at this weight class when he reaches Columbus this year.  State qualifiers Quiqley and Davis return but may not have the firepower to match up with the northern boys.   Current has wrestled the vicious Graham schedule and has had some big wins.  He might be a finalist at this district.

There are two outstanding wrestlers at Watkins Memorial as well.  Two-time placer Terry Jackson leads the way after finishing 4^th and 3^rd the past two years.  This year he won at the Top Gun and was 2^nd at Barnesville.  He wrestles a lot of tight low-scoring bouts. Three-time state qualifier Pizzurro like Bowers has never quite placed at Columbus. He has won exactly one bout every year and has lost a number of heartbreakingly close decisions.  The remaining two state berths are wide open.

125#

Projected Champion:  CAMERON DOGGETT (GRAHAM)

Top Contenders

Doggett was one of the four fabulous freshmen (along with Schlatter, Erwin, and Marshall) that Graham fielded just two years ago.  Like the others, he has met every expectation culminating in a state title last year at 119#.   This year he won at the Ironman (for the second time) in overtime, but was 5^th at the Beast in a tough field.  He has not looked quite as sharp this year, although he is still a solid favorite at this weight class.  I wonder whether Schlatter’s move to Massillon Perry has deprived him of a workout partner that constantly challenged him to improve.  Doggett lost only once last year in a mild upset in the district finals at the hands of the excellent Browning.  He may be vulnerable to another such upset this year.

Doggett will dominate at Goshen.  The only wrestler who can go at all with him is state qualifier Christensen.  Last year, as a freshman, he won two state bouts and just failed to place.   Hart beat him by one point both at the district finals and in their placement bout at 103#.  This year up three weights classes he has won at Xenia and Bellbrook.  The next tier of wrestlers--well below Christensen--features state qualifiers Shell and Pleiman, along with people like Clarkson, Cook, and Woods (Goshen)

The most crowded district is at Watkins.  Three-time state placer Tyler Reichman continues to have great success always finishing at or near the top in every tournament entered.  He already has 10 state wins, but has never made the finals (and not the semis since his freshman year).   Last year Doggett nipped him 8-6 in the quarterfinals and Reichman went on to finish 4^th.  Most recently he was 1^st at the Top Gun.  State qualifiers Scurry, Saxton and Jenkins are all back, but none of them are safe.  I was shocked when Scurry didn’t get out of this district last year (he qualified as a sophomore).   A good offensive wrestler, he should grab a state ticket this year, but it won’t be easy.  Saxton is also very good.  Last year, as a freshman, he dropped his two state bouts by a point each time.  He has state placement potential.  Then there are the two freshmen--junior high state champ Lovell and junior high runner-up Colt Sponseller.  Probably not quite ready for prime time, they nevertheless have upset potential.

Ysaguirre has been on a tremendous hot streak recently and at the same time has been evaluating his chances at either 125# or 130#. Now that the decision has been to go at 130#, Cubberly suddenly vaults to the top of the field at Galion. Last year he was 3^rd at 103# --his only loss an overtime thriller. This year he has moved between 119# and 125# with equal success. Most recently he was 2^nd at the Top Gun losing to Reichman in overtime and defeating Mossor. He was 3^rd at Wadsworth and was undefeated in the Ohio Duals including a win over Pizzurro. He should dominate this district even with the excellent Friery and state qualifier Smart in the field.

There is no real standout at Firestone.  There are returning state qualifiers at this class (six now that Horne has moved up).  None of who seems substantially better than any of the others.  On past performance Bartley might have a slight edge based on his 6^th place finish last year at 112#.  I hadn’t seen his name until today where he won 9-5 over state qualifier Micale to make the Dies.  Also in the mix (beside Micale) are state qualifiers Jastal, Albaugh, Horne, and Hutton.  I think that Micale and Horne might be a shade ahead of the other three.  I will admit Hutton looked good at Solon, finishing 2^nd to state placer Lerer.  Watch for Pearce--a one-man team from Poland Seminary--and Bowers as a possible bracket scramblers.

130#

Projected Champion:  J. R. Ysaguirre (Clyde)

Top Contenders

This will be a competition as wide open as any in Division II.  Run this weight class on six consecutive weekends and you might well find yourself with six different champions.  There is no dominant figure, and in reality, no group of three or four from which the eventual champ is likely to be drawn from.  Factors such as district placement, the flu bug, smiles or frowns from the pairings god, or, dare we say, the random fluctuations of the officiating will play a major role in the final resolution of this weight class.  Past performance will be a tricky barometer since two of the top contenders have moved up from Division III, one has moved down from Division I, and many of the others come from widely separated areas of the state.  Going against Damon Runion’s famous advice – “The race isn’t always won by the swiftest, nor the fight by the strongest, but that’s the way to bet” – look for a long-shot winner.

My choice is the senior state qualifier J. R. Ysaguirre. As I mentioned in the previous essay he is wrestling extremely well with wins over quality opponents like Cory Opfer, Quentin Smith, and Frank Santiago. And these were not closely fought, even battles, but victories by fall or by a decisive score. This is a tough, very diversified field, but I'm thinking that, maybe, the weekend will be Ysaguirre's turn to win.

Right behind him is Clint Sponseller, the senior from West Holmes.  A three time state qualifier he has placed only once--last year--finishing 6^th.  He has lost to some tough folks during that time (Schlatter, Zupancic, Doggett, Perez) and the bracket beings have not been a great help.  He was 3^rd at Medina and 1^st at the Top Gun, beating an impressive field in the latter event.  It’s his last chance and I think he’ll show up ready to win.

Challengers for Ysaguirre and Sponseller will emerge from every nook and cranny of the state.  At Goshen, transfer Jake Kyle heads a rather average district.   Kyle has been a big surprise (at least to me).   He was 3^rd at the Ironman, beating among others former state champ Jordan Lipp, and was 3-0 at the Ohio Duals.  That super-tough schedule that Graham wrestles has seemingly made him even better.  The freshman Tharp, a state junior high champ, has just moved down to this class, while state qualifiers Shearer and Sells also lurk here.

The other finalist at the Top Gun, state qualifier Drew Lashaway, looks strongest at Galion.  Right behind are state qualifiers Murphy and Smith, both of whom wrestle good, representative schedules.  Murphy also placed at the Top Gun and was 4^th at Brecksville, twice losing to Division I Nick Bodnar.  Doughty is another excellent Willard lightweight, and their first six classes are solid.  Apparently, the loss of two-time champ Mike Compton has not fazed them.

Lipp seems clearly best at Firestone.  As a freshman he swept through the 112# class in Division III going undefeated and taking the state title.   Last year at 119# he was a semi-finalist before losing to eventual champ Keyes (who he had beaten in the sectional finals) and finished 4^th.  This year he has been wrestling between 125 and 135 pounds with his usual success.  An early season injury caused him to default at Solon, but he won handily at Kenston.  He certainly could take his second state title here.  State qualifiers Spitalieri, Hilbert, and England all return, but a low place would be about the most they could hope for.  Interestingly, Hilbert is up from 103#.  Lamancusa might be a good long shot to dislodge one of these top four and qualify. 

There is plenty of firepower arrayed against Sponseller at Watkins Memorial.  One of the toughest is the unheralded Emery who was 4^th in Division III last year.  He is very good.   Last year he split two bouts with Jordan Lipp and, in my mind, had finalist potential.  State qualifier Worley is good, but watch for Hughes.  He didn’t do much last year, but he walloped state placer Franz in the Bellbrook final and cannot be overlooked.

135#

Projected Champion:  STEVE BLUNK (STREETSBORO)

Top Contenders

Over the course of the past 66 state tournaments there have been only three wrestlers who have finished 2^nd three times without winning a state title.  The first of these was Gene Gibbons (1945, 1946 and 1947), who was not irretrievably damaged by this misfortune, going on to win an NCAA National Championship and becoming one of the greatest coaches in Ohio history.  A man, incidentally, who still leads the teams from John Marshall, as he has done for over fifty years.

Now 57 years after Gene Gibbons’ senior season at the old Cleveland West High School, comes Steve Blunk who has already been a state runner-up three times, but still has his senior season to win that every so elusive state title.  He has lost but three times since his freshman year, but two of those were state final bouts.  Overall, I have him at 144-11, and it would certainly seem to be his time to win.  No one thought he’d be a finalist his freshman year, but he was brilliant during the tourney process (outscoring his first three state opponents 46-9) before losing in 75 seconds to three-time champ Drew Opfer.  Then after outscoring his opponents 44-1 in the first three rounds Chris Seta upset him in his sophomore year and Aaron Martin did the same last year.   A point scoring machine, he is again the favorite, and this time he won’t finish 2^nd. 

This is, at least on the surface, the weakest weight class in Division II.  The one huge threat to Blunk is the defensive wizard Tyler Schlater.   When I first saw him I thought what an amazing difference between one “t” and two “t’s,” but he has really gotten better.  I saw him give Ryan Lang a good struggle last year and, lo and behold, he captures a 5^th place trophy at Columbus.  This year, unseeded, he was 5^th at the Beast at 140#, and 1^st at Graham.  He was undefeated at the Ohio Duals and his only recent loss, as I write this was to Jaggers in a dual meet.  Last year Blunk beat him 9-1 in the semi-finals, but this time it could be a lot closer.

Sclater’s main competition at Goshen should come from state qualifier Hawk, Christman, and Tighe.  Two freshmen, state junior high champ Brownlee (Western Brown) and Wells could also play a role here.   There will be a lot of relatively unknown names emerging from Galion.  There will be two sets of possibilities.  The northeast boys will be headed by Sanger, Scott, Vasiloff, and Pycraft, while the northwest contingent features Sanchez, Zieber, Huffman, Bricker, and the freshman Cavello.  Last year Sanger was the state alternate at 135#, losing to the eventual state runner-up in the first round, and to eventual state champ Gross in the go-to-state round.  This year he has had a slow start, but remains a force at this weight.  Still I think the northwest guys will take at least three of the four state berths.  If Young goes at this weight class that will possibly change. 

I’m struggling to find potential qualifiers out of Firestone.  State qualifier Protz certainly should join Blunk and have a good chance for a medium to high state place.  Dreger and Taylor are also possibilities, but clearly I’m missing some solid kids here.  That’s the same situation we face at Watkins.  Huffman is good, while Givens was a finalist at the Top Gun, beating Kimble in the semi-finals.  Dunn (or Hoppel) are strong 135’s from the eastern sectionals while Wheeler might be a long-shot.   Albaugh and Richey might also factor into this District’s outcome.  But no one here is “top of the mind” with Blunk or Schlater.

At any rate, if you are a middleweight looking for a congenial place to compete, this might be the weight class for you.

140#

Projected Champion:  RYAN MORGAN (COLUMBUS DESALES)

Top Contenders

Columbus DeSales has won 33 individual state championships, trailing only St. Edward, Maple Hts., and Walsh Jesuit in that category.  It’s a school that produced the first four-time champ in Mark Zimmer and, arguably, the greatest heavyweight in state history, Luke Fickell.  It’s a program that never seems to falter and this year is no exception.   Their strength is at this weight class and the next where back-to-back state titles is not out of the question.  They have their very best chance here with the talented senior, Ryan Morgan.  He was 4^th last year (losing only to Blunk and Constantino), and has moved it up a notch with wins at DeSales, Brecksville, and Ironman.  It is really a three-man struggle, with Morgan, Rohler, and Taylor all at about the same point.   I chose Morgan (even after his recent loss to Rohler) because of his consistency and his ability to control the tempo of a bout.   I thought he looked great all year, but in the Brecksville final he seemed to lose his aggressive mindset.  Wrestling Tanner Shearer he pulled a “Jason Barnett” and got very defensive against an opponent I thought he could score on.  He will not get away with such a defensive posture at the state meet, nor do I think he’ll try to do so.  His 2^nd place at the CIT suggests that Morgan may be tired after wrestling DeSales’ tough schedule and that a little down time should refresh him.

Rohler is one of the competitors that I think will end up in a three cornered battle for the title.   He was 4^th at the Beast and 3^rd at Brecksville (losing to two-time state champ Shearer).  As a freshman last year he won two state matches and his two losses were by a total of three points.  Rendinell supporters will legitimately point out that their man beat Rohler, 5-4, at the Ironman.   Not only that he placed 4^th (ahead of Rohler), and then he won at Kenston and the WRC.  I still think Rohler has the steeper upside.  Of course, Rohler fans will have the same argument with regard to Morgan being ranked ahead of him when he defeated Morgan 6-2.  Both boys exit Firestone and could be joined by state alternate Long, state qualifier Wigington Juhasz, Cost or Prochnow. Only Rendinell and Rohler have strong placement hopes. 

Taylor is my other choice as one of the top trio here.  A state semi-finalist last year he ended up dropping three bouts and finishing 6^th.  He has wrestled much of the time at 145# but, in any case, has won at Clyde and Franklin and was 2^nd at Lorain Southview to the enigmatic Tortorici.  The defending district champ at this class, he should repeat quite easily.  The other three state berths, though, should be a real battle.   I think state qualifier Shiff is second best with a 23-1 record and wins everywhere except the Perrysburg final.  Hudak might come next with Bowman and the fast improving Milavec another half step back.  Watch out for the last named boy, only a sophomore he is making real progress.

Morgan should have his own way at Watkins in a district not loaded with stars.  Perhaps, a Hoppel or Schuller still have a shot at a low place, but it could well work out that Morgan is the only placer from this district.

It looks like state qualifier Spohn will compete at this weight class at Goshen and he is likely to be the favorite.  Last year he drew two time runner-up Turchetta in the first round and lost 4-2, and then dropped in consolation bout in the 30-second tie-breaker.  Stahl and Powell are both good back-up choices with the last berth wide open.

145#

Projected Champion:  DAVE RELLA (WALSH)

Top Contenders

This is a terrific weight class with a quartet of excellent wrestlers in the top tier, and with another group of about twice that size directly beneath them.  One would anticipate very entertaining wrestling from the very first round.

The sophomore Rella stands out at Firestone.  A state quarter-finalist last year, he lost to Davis in overtime and failed to place.  This year he nipped Davis to win at the Ironman, was 4^th at the Beast, and won the Powerade, all before the beginning of January.  Since then he has split two one-point bouts with the very tough Freirichs, and won the Mayfield Big 8.  It’s frightening to think how good he could be in two more years.  He should dominate his district with state qualifier Triscaro a possible second choice.

Davis cannot be overlooked.  He was 5^th last year, and is a very physical wrestler.  He was 2^nd at the Ironman and 3^rd at Brecksville (losing a one point decision to Effner and beating my Division III choice Moss).  At the CIT he beat Marzec to win that title, and build momentum for the tournament process.  There is some good secondary talent at Watkins--Babel, Apperson, Young, Pendleton--but Davis should cruise to his second district title.

Freirichs was a state runner-up in West Virginia two years ago before moving into the Graham district.  Last year at 130# he finished 4^th at Columbus after reaching the semi-finals.  He was 3^rd at the Ironman, losing only a 10-9 quarter final bout and beating some great out-of-state people.  He was 5^th at the Beast, and, later, split two bouts with Rella.   His ability to ride may set him apart from the others and give him that one advantage that can close down a won bout.  He should dominate his district.

There is some question whether Slauterbeck belongs in this top grouping.  He failed to win a bout at States last year and has collected five losses at the time of this writing.  At the same time, he upset Marzec to win at Oak Harbor, and was a strong 3^rd at Perrysburg.  The big disappointment was at Medina where a string of three losses that dumped him to 6^th place there.  He also faces the most difficult district situation with Pelton, perhaps, at about the same level.

152#

Projected Champion:  MIKE PUCILLO (WALSH)

Top Contenders

Two years ago I arrived early for a Walsh vs. St. Edward telecast anxious to obtain any late information about either squad.  The only person I could find was an assistant coach for Walsh who told me they were shorthanded because of injuries.  One of their best, he went on, was a fabulous freshman who had never wrestled a varsity match, but who would soon be healthy.  That caught my interest.  That is until he said that they boy was his son.  I hear that so many times from fathers that I discount it almost without thinking about it.  But this time the father was right, because Mike Pucillo is the real deal.  A state placer later in that freshman year, he was 2^nd last year at 145#, losing to Chris Tripp in the finals--a bout where Tripp looked two weight classes bigger than Pucillo.  This year he won the Ironman and Powerade and was 2^nd at the Beast.  He’ll be the favorite in what should be a terrific triangular battle that also features state runner-up Butzer and state 3^rd Milano.

Butzer had a great junior season last year capturing the Galion District with relative ease and then winning three state bouts before the inevitable loss as C.P. Schlatter took his fourth state title.  A star football player he missed the early season for unknown reasons and returned just in time for North Canton.  Rusty, and probably not in prime wrestling shape, he finished 5^th losing to state placer Tim Miller and Mizer from Carrollton.  However, at Medina he blew through the bracket sheet, winning by technical fall in the finals.  He and Pucillo exit the same district so they’ll be apart at Columbus.

Milano won his first 35 bouts last year before getting hammered by Butzer and winding up a solid 3^rd.  He vowed then that it wouldn’t happen again, and he’ll have the chance to prove it this year.   He’ll have to beat both of the other two, and he is capable of doing just that.  His biggest problem is probably a schedule that does not consistently test him.

The Firestone District is loaded.  Obviously, Pucillo and Butzer lead the way, but state qualifiers Davis and Joseph will also compete here.   Davis was a district runner-up to Milano last season, losing an 8-6 battle.  He went 1-2 at Columbus, losing two close bouts.  He did not place at the Ironman, but won at Kenston and the WRC.  Pucillo beat him by technical fall early in the season, but that may have been partly an aberration.  Joseph tried to go back to 145#, but settled here.  The pairings should be good at this district, with two sectionals providing all four of the top contenders.

The Galion District is also very good.  Milano will need to be very sharp to win the district title.  Smith was 2^nd at Galion last year, losing by four to Butzer in the final round.  After a first round win at Columbus, he lost in the 30-second tiebreaker and ended up going 2-2.  This year he was 3^rd at Wadsworth, losing a terrific 11-9 overtime bout to Division I third place winner Tim Miller.  At the Ohio Duals he beat Dave Davis, who was wrestling up a weight class; lost to Pucillo 10-5; and failed to meet Tiero Davis who was at 160#.  He has strong placement chances.  Right behind the top duo is Wes Bergman, Garcia, and Goostree.  The first boy in particular, should do well as he has looked very good in recent weeks.  Two long-shots are the freshman LaRosa and Wolverton.

There are some question marks at Watkins.  Mizer and Noble have been at 152# and 160# respectively for Carrolton all year.  They each certified one weight class lower, but I’m leaving them at their original positions.  At any rate, state qualifier Bowman, Mizer, and Power look like the top trio, each with moderate low placement hopes.  I think Mizer might be the best of the group, and he has had a great year after missing state qualifications by a point.

There may be even more confusion at Goshen, as an interesting field will be competing.  State qualifier Burns is a great talent, but he is very inconsistent.  He has been at 160# part of the year, and has also had injury issues.  State qualifier Esch looked very good at Clyde, but does not wrestle a very demanding schedule.  The best of the group may be the third state qualifier, Kyle Ray.  He missed early season matches, but beat the very good Mauro to win at Fairfield.   Also here is former state qualifier Robinson and the powerful Shriner.  The latter boy has upset potential. 

160#

Projected Champion:  DAVE ERWIN (GRAHAM)

Top Contenders

Last year I was surprised when Curtis Tripp opted to make the very tough cut to 145#.  After all, I thought, he would be a finalist at 152# (losing only to Schlatter), while people like Hurley, Erwin, Pucillo and Roush made 145# a much more problematical situation.  Clearly Tripp should be writing this report.  He settled in at the lower weight class and wrestled brilliantly to take home the state title.  Hurley got upset, Pucillo beat Irwin in the other half of the draw, and Tripp got Pucillo in the last round when his size advantage could be maximized.   This year Tripp started the year at 160# finishing 2^nd to two-time Division I champ Steve Luke at the Ironman.  He seemed an easy choice at this weight class.  However, in the fullness of time he has decided to wrestle at the much more difficult 171#.  How can I argue against it based on our respective track records?  What this does do is open up this weight class to a wide variety of competitors.

From my perspective Erwin now becomes the favorite.  A junior this year, he is already a two-time state qualifier who was 3^rd at 145# last year losing only to Pucillo in the semi-finals, 7-5.  This year he was 3^rd at the Beast defeating Chuck Koz in the consolation finals.  He is clearly not upset-proof as demonstrated when Lowther stuck him at the Ohio Duals, but he avenged that the next week with a convincing 8-1 triumph.  I don’t think he could have beaten Tripp, but he’ll be favored against everyone else now. 

Lowther will be an enormous danger exiting the Firestone District.  He can beat anyone just not all the time.  He was 4^th last year losing a criteria overtime decision to the defending champ Maxworthy then losing again to him in overtime in the consolation final.  This year he did not place at the Ironman, but gave Tripp a tough quarter-final battle.  He was 3^rd at the Powerade and split those two bouts with Erwin.  He’ll face tough competition at Firestone.  Ciccone missed qualification by a takedown last year at 145#, but he has been off the radar screen most of this year.  However, he won the CIT defeating both Walton and Peck, vaulting him into the upper echelons at this class.  State qualifier McMullen was 3^rd at Brecksville and 2^nd at Wooster, and cannot be counted out.  He won two bouts at states, including a win over Walton.

Only state qualifier Walton can challenge Erwin at Goshen.  After that early loss to McMullen he, too, won two consolation round bouts before Lowther decisioned him in the placement round.  Everyone else here looks pretty ordinary, which may generate an upward flow from the crowded 152# field.

I am also not overly impressed with the field at Galion.  Bellottie did place in Division III last year, but he has not been quite as good as I thought so far this year.  Still, he seems to me to have substantial upside potential.  State qualifier LaRosa has, on the other hand, shown some real improvement.  He won big at Avon and Columbia Station while finishing 2^nd at Marion Harding.  Hirschy and Hoehn head the western contingent to this district, but I also like Lipstraw (Oak Harbor).   Tolson had an off day when I saw him at Brecksville, but he has had some big wins like the title at Avon Lake.

All year I thought Summers and Vaughn would be the top two out of Watkins and nothing has happened to change my mind.  Both state qualifiers (Vaughn got a 6^th), they met in the Top Gun finals with Summers winning by a point.  They both have definite placement potential.  Noble, if he is at this class, and Peck are probably a second duo a step below the top two boys.  Also due for consideration are Costa, Hughes, and Peters.  Incidentally, Clintt Peters is now a senior, and his graduation will bring an end to one of the most incredible dynasties in Ohio wrestling.  There has been a Peters brother on the Claymont varsity every year since 1979.  Two of them won state titles (Matt and Elliott), and all have been excellent wrestlers.  Perhaps just as incredible is that Clintt Peters is even here since he weighed little more than one pound at birth.

#171

Projected Champion:  ROCCO CAPONI (AKRON ST. VINCENT)

Top Contenders

The addition of state champion Chris Tripp to this weight class has sparked increased interest in its final outcome.  My belief is that while some of the particulars may change, its eventual resolution will remain the same.   Rocco Caponi has become one of the top 171-pounders in the Nation and he will move up one step on the awards podium and capture his first state title.  Last year he showed incredible improvement, losing four times early in the season, but gaining momentum at sectional time.  He pinned in the district final and then outscored his first three state opponents 29-0.  He lost to Bertolino in the finals as Bertolino rode him out in that awful 30-second tiebreaker.  Bertolino had won the same way in the semis with both bouts highly controversial because of the lack of stalling calls.  There are clearly better ways to decide a contest, particularly since the “rules” put the officials in an untenable situation.  This year Caponi was 2^nd at both the Ironman and the Beast losing again, highly controversial finals.  At Brecksville he was dominant, defeating Division I state runner-up Mike Ward 4-0 in a bout that wasn’t that close.

He exits a difficult district, but that shouldn’t be critical.  State champion Tripp will need some time to adjust to wrestling bigger boys, but should do well.  I don’t see him beating Caponi, though.  His loss at the Top Gun suggests that he may struggle some against the very best 171’s--at least early on.  There are three other state qualifiers at this class.  It’s difficult to sort this trio out.  Moores wrestles almost an invisible schedule to me, but he was a district finalist last year at this class and won a state bout.  Sanniti also won a state bout last year and beat Marhofer at the Ironman.  However, Tripp crushed him at Kenston and Ward did the same at the WRC.  Marhofer qualified for Columbus, but was injured and didn’t wrestle.  He was 4^th at the Powerade and lost a low-scoring affair to Tripp.

Hiram Smith is a potential high placer at this class.  He won the Gorman and was 4^th at Wadsworth, losing to state runner-up Melton in the semi-finals.  A state qualifier last year, he has racked up some outstanding results this year.  I think he’ll dominate at Galion since I just don’t see that much there.

I hadn’t fully appreciated Hackett until I reviewed his record.  A state qualifier last year, he went 1-2 losing a one-pointer to state champ Maxworthy in the first round.  This year he won at Hamilton Twp. And Riverside, but the eye-opener was at the Top Gun.  He beat Murray and Tripp, back-to-back, the latter a 9-2 pounding.   I like the Eastern District boys for the other three spots.  State alternates Clark and Randles are very good, and Miller is just a shade behind them.  The southeast part of the state is very strong here since White, also in the area, qualifies through Goshen.

In this case White is fortunate.  I just haven’t seen a lot in that area at 171#.  Tamaska isn’t wrestling and Sanders is just starting now.  Van Buskirk is certainly a state caliber wrestler along with White, but there are still plenty of gaps to fill.  Thompson, a state junior high runner-up and champ, is the star of the future.  He has been thrown into the middle of Graham’s brutal schedule and performed admirably.  His big win was in the Parkersburg where his upset victory over the defending West Virginia state champ was huge.  In another year or so he’ll be dominating this area.

189#

Projected Champion:  CHRIS HAHN (MINERVA)

Top Contenders

The exceptional J. D. Bergman dominated this weight class the past two years and now another brilliant competitor has moved up and become the heavy favorite.  Chris Hahn has already won at 160# and 171# and looks to become only the second big man (with Fickell) to win three state titles in Division II.  Last year Hahn won at easily the most difficult of the 42 weight classes.  Finishing behind him were defending state champ Jason Hackett, state runners-up Joe Dennis and Ryan Knapp and a bevy of other outstanding wrestlers.  Hackett went on to win the High School Nationals.  Hahn defeated Hackett in the semi-finals then beat Knapp (for the second time) in the finals.  I thought Knapp wrestled a great bout and maybe, on that night, was at least the equal of Hahn. The big issue is that Hahn has been injured (hyper extended elbow and herniated disc) and has been off for some time.  The assumption is he will be back refreshed and somewhat healthy at tourney time.  At the Top Gun he returned, although not at 100%, winning the title with a 5-3 decision.

Most of Hahn’s serious opposition will come from the northeastern corner of the state.  For example, he will face a bevy of state experienced competitors at Firestone.  Blackwell was the surprise state runner-up at this weight class in Division III last year, but like Hahn, has suffered some long-term injuries.  He missed all of December and half of January.  Reports have reached me that he is not eating in his foods class, so he apparently will not move to 215#.  State qualifier Marshall was 4^th at Kenston and the Top Gun and 5^th at the Ironman.   He’ll have to have a great weekend to place.  Hahn pinned him in the first round last year.  State placer Glover is one of the guys you hate to wrestle.  He doesn’t seem to do much, but at the end of six minutes it’s his hand they’re raising.  The one who could really surprise is state qualifier Brandon Alexander whose team has moved down from Division I.  I look for him to be a real factor at this class and, certainly, challenge for placement.  In addition, folks like Scavuzzo, Davin, Tymoszczuk, and Knopick could all pull one big upset.

One of Hahn’s chief adversaries will be Saniuk, exiting from the Galion District.  He went 2-2 at Columbus last year, losing his two bouts by three points, including a stall-a-thon (Hoke's specialty) by state runner-up Joe Hoke.   This year Saniuk has been something special, winning at Chippewa, Lorain Southview, and the Dies--where he defeated my Division I choice Dobies by a point. He has the tools to defeat Hahn.  State qualifier Rayburn is back and down a weight class, but he has not been that impressive.  Instead I look for people like Gavlak, Ramirez, Fruth and Righi to be the prime contenders for the remaining spots here.

I’m sure it’s just me, but I’m not seeing much at Watkins.  State qualifier Howard returns and has won at a more than steady pace.   Whitten and Johnson may be next best here, but how they’ll compete at Columbus is open to question.

State qualifier Brad Osborn is the only wrestler at Goshen who has reached that level in the past.   He went 1-2 at Columbus, losing in the quarter-finals to two-time champ J. D. Bergman.  This year he will be challenged by Cook, who won at Edgewood and Xenia and was 4^th at the GMVWA.  In their only meeting to-date Osborn was victorious 4-2.  More impressively Osborn won at Edgewood, up a weight class at 215# pinning in both semi-finals and finals.  The other challenger will come from the east where Marcum has been impressive, winning three tournaments.   Other possibilities are Kiser, Schneider, and Patrick.

215#

Projected Champion:  JOE DENNIS/JASON MARSHALL (GRAHAM)

Top Contenders

It’s not often that the state championship bout is contested in the dank confines of a high school wrestling room, but that appears to be the case at this weight class.  Three-time state placer senior Joe Dennis and two-time state placer junior Jason Marshall are probably the class of the 215-pounders in Division II.   Unfortunately, they wrestle for the same team and so the loser of that wrestle off will compete as a heavyweight.  Dennis was 2^nd to Hackett as a sophomore, and then, looking ahead, lost early in the brutal 171# class and finished 5^th after losing to Hackett again.  This year, up 44 pounds, he has been sensational winning the Ironman and the Beast with very little problem.   Marshall has been injured all year (from football), but he was 4^th as a freshman at 189# and 3^rd at 215# last year, losing only to Villers.  I thought he’d compete at heavyweight, but he cut down to 215# for the Walsh duals.

There are only five boys at the class with previous state experience, and three of them will be at Firestone.  Thomas was 5^th last year and is just a tough, hard-nosed kid.  His only losses at Columbus last year were to Hoppel and Marshall--both of whom shut him out, but could not reach major decision territory.  I saw him at Solon where he wrestled Division I state placer Burger dead even in the semis before losing a controversial one point decision.  He came back and got a 3^rd.  At Brecksville he pinned Stegeman of Elder in the quarters and then hammered Division I state runner-up Noga in the semi-finals 8-2.  But the sequel with Burger in the finals ended the same way with a 2-1 Burger win on a stalling point.  He then finished ahead of Thoburn and Lanham to win the Dies.  Difficult to score against his big weakness may be his lack of offensive action, which generates stalling issues. State qualifier Narinsky has not yet met my expectations, but there is still time.  He was 5^th at the tough Ironman, won at Kenston, and lost an overtime final to Trusnik at the WRC.   He was 1-2 at the Ohio Duals being crushed by Dennis and upset by Nachtrab.  He needs to step it up.  Lanham was 6^th last year, forfeiting to Thomas at that point.  Marshall pinned him in the second round.  He missed some time, but was 3^rd at the Dies and seems back on track.  The last state ticket is wide open; with, maybe, Marhofer as the top possibility.

Dennis has had a fabulous year, overshadowing everyone at this class.  In fact, he might be one of the most impressive wrestlers in Ohio to this point.  No one else in his district can go six minutes with him and the battle will be for the last three state berths.   The problem is that virtually all the 215’s are either Division I or III participants.  At the GMVWA none of the top eight placers were from Division II at this weight class.   That suggests that folks like McLaughlin, Messer, and Holsinger may have the inside track.

I see even less at Watkins and the four qualifiers from there will be avidly sought as first round opponents.  Maybe a Gresham or a Bowersock, or a sophomore like Trsinar will have a hot hand and a great pairing at states, but even then a low place might be all that could be expected. 

The one crowded district will be at Galion.  There are all kinds of possibilities here.  I think Levy and Thoburn might be the best here.  Thoburn won their individual bout last year at districts, but neither qualified although Thoburn, the state alternate, lost his go-to-states bout on that dratted 30-second tiebreak.   This year Thoburn won at Medina (while Levy was 3^rd) and then was 2^nd at the Dies, losing to Thomas by a point.   Levy has since dominated at the SBC Duals.   State qualifier Wachtendorf lines up behind this duo.  He was 7^th at Brecksville, but a much better 2^nd at the Top Gun.  He was tech falled in both his state bouts last year, but should do much better this time.  Edgington and LaVallee are good, journeyman performers, but Nachtrab might be the surprise here.  He was 4^th at Wadsworth and defeated Narinsky at the Ohio Duals, but then lost to Chris Marhofer.

Hvy.

Projected Champion:  DUSTIN FOX (GALION)

Top Contenders

There seem to be more weight classes that have a triangular nature (three top contenders) than you’ll find on your favorite afternoon soap opera.  It makes for a lopsided bracket with one lucky competitor having a relatively clear path to the finals, while the other two battle it out first.  While the heavyweight class is almost always more unpredictable than most other weight classes, it would appear that three wrestlers dominate the proceedings.  Each exits a different district with Fox and Hoppel in separate halves of the bracket and Marshall (or Dennis) randomly inserted into the same half with one of them.  Speculating on the likely winner has caused me hours of contemplation that surely could have been better spent doing almost anything else.  Let’s take a closer look at the Big Three.

Initially I thought Fox would be a slight favorite, but I’m now thinking it’s dead even.  Maybe that’s because for some reason I have undervalued Fox in these ratings.  Somehow I just have not recognized how good he has become.  Two years ago, as a sophomore, he finished 4^th, losing to the eventual champ Ryan in the semi-finals, 5-3.  Last year he blitzed his first three state opponents before winning in overtime against the down-tempo Boggs.  A year-round wrestler, Fox weighs just under the weight limit yet moves with speed and authority.  He won early at Ashland and then the injury jinx struck keeping him out of action for over a month.  If he heals completely that will not be a major negative for an experienced winner like Fox. In fact, he may well be fresher than his opponents. 

Hoppel is a marvelous athlete who also excels in football.  As a sophomore at 215# he upset the favored Keough early and then won the title on a technical fall.  Last year he cruised to the state final, matching with undefeated and awesome Villers who had his only close bout in defeating Hoppel, 8-6.  A slightly longer bout might have seen a different outcome.  This year his last two bouts at Medina were the only two where he didn’t crush his opponent.  In the first he defeated Division I co-favorite Tony Johnson 5-2, but then lost to Kirk Nail, the other co-favorite, 6-1 in the finals.  He’ll give up about 25 pounds to Fox.

Marshall (I’m assuming it will be him) would be the lightest of the trio.  He has placed 4^th and 3^rd the last two years at 189# and 215# respectively.  A remarkable athlete, he’ll need to be at his best to compete with the other two.  Like Fox he, too, has been injured and just very recently returned to limited action.

The big question will be Fox's health. If he is 100% then it is a toss-up between he and Hoppel. However, if it in any way reduces his mobility or his stamina then the nod has to go to Hoppel. There is no question that Hoppel has wrestled the more difficult schedule facing Johnson, Nail, and Davia. Still he'll be giving up 25 pounds to an experienced wrestler who knows how to win. My guess is he'll try to out-condition Fox, but I don't think it will happen. Give it to Fox by a takedown.  Whatever the situation the top three young men all would be champs in a normal year.

Fox should have little trouble at Galion.  The biggest obstacle will be state qualifier Morton, who has moved up from 215#.  However, he is not a small heavyweight, and his 20-1 record is marred only by a decisive loss to Nail.  Fox is just a bit too good for him.  Guhn and Kosch are mid-sized heavyweights who can win.  I’d like to see Guhn do more, but then that’s true of most heavyweights.  Chris Smith pinned Wyper at Perrysburg, while Hartung could also be a factor.

Hoppel faces a wide assortment of wrestlers at Watkins.  State qualifier Randolph was 6^th at Brecksville, but did not seem as aggressive as last year.  He has a lot of physical talent.  State qualifier Neuenschwander lost his state placement bout after finishing 4^th at this district.  He had lost to Randolph then, but looked good at Columbus.  State qualifier Burdette is tall and (relatively) slender, but did not make it out last year.   He went as a sophomore.  He sent 3-0 at the Ohio Duals defeating Fenner and was 4^th at Medina behind the three super-studs.  He did finish behind Golden at Barnesville.  Add in Johnson, Spangler, and certainly state alternate Hines and this will be a great competition--for 2^nd place.

Marshall (or Dennis) should also dominate at their district.  State qualifiers Rankin and Doolittle return, but the guy to watch is Micah Vance.  A 270 pound transfer from St. Xavier he has been a terror at some of the smaller Cincinnati tourneys and could be a finalist at this district.

Firestone is the only district without a superstar at this weight class.  Fenner is the only returning state qualifier and he went 0-2 in Columbus.   He was 2^nd at the WRC to Dumas.   State alternate Keckan is huge, while Holbert is down from Division I.  Even adding in Suggett and Randall there will be at least one or two “unknowns” qualifying out of this district.

TEAMS

1.  Graham                            No team has ever won four consecutive Division II team titles. However, this squad is poised to do just that--and do it with a flourish. They could conceivably have seven finalists (although five is more likely) in this quest to re-write the record book. It appears the time of the Jordan Dynasty has arrived.

2. Walsh                               Except for some inexplicable officiating in last year's championship bout at 130#, Walsh would be looking at their fourth straight runner-up finish. Once again they have an outstanding squad, but there is not quite enough firepower to dethrone Graham. For that, every break would have to favor Walsh and Graham would have to stumble badly. Still, they could have four finalists on Saturday night--and three of them will be back next year.

3.  Columbus DeSales       The quartet of Morgan, Davis, Pizzurro, and Cormier should score a lot of points. There's not much back-up, although Randolph, Powers, and Peck can score at this level. It’s time for Davis to be a finalist and Pizzurro to capture a high place.

4.  Eastwood                       This is a program that has just taken off in the past few seasons. This squad should generate a breakout year with a Top Five finish, and at least four high placers. A great job at Eastwood.

5.  Kenston                          A deep squad, but one with only a solitary state finalist candidate.  Deubel should win his second title and score close to 30 team points but it will take a real team effort at Columbus to improve on this ranking.

6. Akron St. Vincent           Caponi and Rohler could both be champions, but the backup people are very low placers at best. Somebody really needs to step up to solidify this ranking.

7. Clyde                               Ysaguirre is having a fantastic year and Taylor is a potential finalist.  They have some real upside, but it will hinge on Michaels coming through big time, and Guhn, Zieber, and maybe, a couple of the others contributing at the state level.